Reactions to the 2011 Musical Saw Festival

New York State Assemblymember Aravella Simotas honored the Musical Saw Festival with the following (click on image to enlarge):

Citation of honor from NY State Assemblymember Aravella Simotas

Aravella Simotas
Photographer: Harris Graber

Hi Natalia–
I hope you have had the chance to crash! What a wonderful event you created. I enjoyed every performance and thought the final saw “orchestral” numbers were terrific. I could see everyone taking cues from you. And I also observed so many playing styles, more than i could have imagined.
Best, Willa
(NY)

Hi Natalia,
Each year my pilgrimage to the saw festival brings new musical surprises, new friends and new techniques that I can try and work on. The talent and diversity in style that was demonstrated by those who participated reflected their dedication to the musical saw and many hours of practice. This, I believe, is the result of the encouragement and the promotion by you through the saw festival. It brings like minded musicians together. Thank you for all the efforts you put into planning this superb festival. I for one look forward to attending again in 2012.
Best wishes,
Stew
(PA)

Hi Natalia,
I hope you have had a chance to relax after another successful festival. Sarah and I had a great time.
Thanks,
-Nathan
(NY)

Nathan’s daughter, Lillian, was inspired by the art exhibit at the festival and drew this drawing at the festival:
Lillian Carver's drawing

Natalia,
It was an honor to be at the saw festival this year. It was great. Thanks for all your dedication to our unusual but beautiful instrument, the musical saw!
I hope you get some time to recover from this years event. You did a wonderful job with it all and Anne and I wish you the best in the future. It would be awesome to attend again in the future.
Until we meet again,
Rev. Harris | Minister of Music
(North Carolina)

Dear Natali Paruz!
Thank you so much for your festival and perormances!
I was the pianist who came up to you before the concert with my mother.
I wanted to ask if i can set up a lesson with you if you have time.
Sincerely and all the best,
Maxim
(NY)

3D video (you need 3D glasses to see it properly)

Thank you Jay Kusnetz http://www.sophont.com for this video

Hi, Natalia. Thank you so very much for all of the time, love and energy that you put into yesterday’s festival.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and take good care!
Many hugs,
Jeff
(PA)

congratulations! …on a wonderful event this saturday.
it was lovely playing with you!
warm regards,
RG. (violinist)
(NY)

Natalia,
Thank you so much for putting together this festival. It was fun and informative and I indeed thought the workshops very interesting and helpful. It was fun joining you for dinner and getting to know you a little bit. I hope to be able to come again next year and will keep working on the “Dyer” Song Blade.
Yours Truly,
David
(OH)

The festival was awesome, everyone did a great job, I think the rate this is going you are going to need a bigger place. I enjoyed everyone, of course my most favorite is my husband Steve and Stew, they brought tears to my eyes, I was so proud of them. Thanks for all you do, you are one unique lady, and so is your husband, I know he did alot of work also to pull this off.
Charlene
(PA)

Musical Saw Festival Participants
Photographer: Harris Graber

Great event. I loved it. Dinner in the restaurant was fun too!
-Paul
(NY)

Natalia:
Great job and a wonderful time at the festival.
Thanks for making this gathering such a success
Bob
(NJ)

Great time today and our friends enjoyed it very much!
Pat
(NY)

I didn’t realize the musical saw is so versatile!
Debbie
(audience)

Excellent as usual
Aaron
(visual artist)

Chorus of the saws
Photographer: Harris Graber

Wonderful
Inez
(audience)

Stunning!
Kaylee
(audience)

Splendid, great, superb
Joseph
(audience)

Excellent!!!
Leslie
(audience)

Super!!!
Virginia
(audience)

Beautiful
Aime
(audience)

Wonderful time
Steve & Charlene
(PA)

Wonderful day!
Stew
(PA)

Looking forward to the next Saw Festival! It was an awesome experience.
Cynthia
(audience)