Intimate Musical Soirees with Old World Hospitality and Charm Presenting Extraordinary Concert Artists and Distinguished Speakers
Read what others have to say about their experiences with us...
From Composer/Orchestrator Great: Conrad Pope
Dear Scott, Great seeing you last night before the "Portola Unplugged".
Sorry I didn't get to see and tell you how much I enjoyed all the music and the playing .
I was completely "wow-ed" and enthralled by Maria's piece. I can't recall hearing a new piece of music that has instilled in me such a sense of pure joy. The piece had me hooked from the opening chord. Maria's sense of harmony, line and her command of musical form coupled with her sense of drama and wit are incredible and the results, captivating.
Chillmark Trio is superb. (And Maria's violin playing was enthralling as well--Paula and Wendy also were in top form!)
Maria's piece will stay with me for a long, long time. Warmest Regards to you both
Conrad Pope
From Award-winning Author/Former Ballet Soloist with the New York City Ballet: Zippora Karz
Oh Maria, When you walked on the stage I got choked up. You radiate generosity, honestly, creativisty, and brilliance.
I loved seeing it last night and you!!! love zippora
From Community Leaders: Janet and Joel Goldberg Dearest Maria and Scott,
It was my complete pleasure to gaze around the room during your performance to see all of those wide-eyed and smiling faces, leaving our guests stunned with delight, clarity and focus.
You both were magnificent, and your three boys...oh, so sweet and oh, so patient.
Love always, Janet (and Joel)
From Thomas Hall: Longtime Benefactor of MAHMA regarding Barak Ballet's collaboation with the Malibu Coast Chamber Orchestra
Dear Scott and Maria,
Just wanted to let you know our group, like everyone else there (The Broad Stage, Santa Monica), had a wonderful time at the ballet. So super-creative, consistently both beautiful and surprising, and certainly met the originality bar. Congratulations to you and to all involved. There is real hope for the future! See you soon I trust, Tom
From Internationally Renowned ConcertViolinist/ Member of Trio Fugu: Lorenz Gamma
Dear Maria
5 minutes ago, Ming, Joon and I just finished what we think was a very productive and truly satisfying rehearsal on your MARVELOUS Chilmark Trio! And we have decided that we would like to give it a whirl at a concert this Saturday at the Montecito Music Festival. We want to thank you for your great piece and for sending it to us, as we are truly enjoying learning it. I think by Saturday evening we will have it polished and are looking forward to see the audience's reaction - what great fun! It is at the Westmont College, Porter Theater. It is also an excellent festival, three weeks long. Itzhak Schotten, Roberto Diaz, and Sheila Brown are here, and it is all much fun and of course lot of music making.
Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Best regards, Lorenz and Trio Fugu
From Janet Bopp and Dr. Bruce Beddoe: Leadership Level Sponsors at MAHMA
Dear Sweet Friends, Your concert was absolutely outstanding tonight!!! Maria, you had Hal jumping around trying to catch his breath. WOW. So very beautiful. We’re so very lucky that you’re here in Malibu! We love you so much, Janice and Bruce
From Nick Peros of Phoenix Classical (A Division of Phoenix Records, Ltd, Canada) Dear Maria,
I had a chance to check out your " Maria Newman: Music for Piano, Book I" CD on CD Baby and was very impressed with the performance, repertoire and production – you have a great program of works, the performance is excellent - very expressive and emotive; its great to hear new, contemporary works that have a tonal basis, a strong melodic character and yet are full of imagination and an original compositional voice - your music is truly great, beautiful and expressive & so well performed and recorded - really great to listen to. I think it really deserves the widest possible hearing & exposure, on a global scale.
Nick Peros Phoenix Classical (A Division of Phoenix Records Ltd, Canada)
From Malibu High School Honor Student/Malibu Civic Ballet Soloist: Gabriella Grahek
Dear Maria,
I am so blessed to know you...I can quite honestly say that dancing with [The Malibu Coast Chamber Orchestra] to live music has provided me with some of my favorite memories.
Thank you and love you always, Gabriella Grahek
From Joan and Henry Lesser-Beda: Devoted Patrons of MAHMA:
Hi Maria and Scott,
Your energy and exciting performance was fantastic!
Have a fabulous Tour.
Best, Joan & Henry
From Distinguished Professor Hal Ott: World Renowned Flutist and Pedagogue
Maria Newman’s Sonata for Flute and Harpsichord is marvelous in every sense of the word -- full of all kinds of delightful surprises, opulent colors, compelling melodies and harmonies, and countless moments that go directly to the core of the heart. It is fresh and communicative, and I never found my attention wandering -- not even for a split second.
As a composer, Maria Newman is so willing to share a part of herself with all of us. The experience of performing this composition on many occasions nationwide to highly appreciative audiences, and consequently the experience of recording the work, will never be forgotten. Newman’s Sonata is sure to be a repertoire staple in the flute and piano (and harpsichord) genre.
Sincerely, Dr. Hal Ott Distinguished Professor Central Washington University
From Jennifer Gonzalez, Director of Film Studies: Malibu High School
Thank you Maria and Scott, Unbelievably awesome...
Every kid was riveted - Thank you so much for sharing your gifts and talents with us - It was an amazing experience.
THANK YOU!
Jennifer Gonzalez Director of Film Studies Malibu High School
From Malibu Ballet Society President: Deborah La Gorce Kramer
Dearest Scott and Maria,
You are extraordinary and generous, and beyond lovely, great friends. Thank you for being the inspiring, innovative, insightful artists, and mothers of music, mothers of our hearts that you are!