TESTIMONIALS:
Maggie Wheeler has taught workshops and led choral singing at Omega Institute for many years. Her work is nothing short of miraculous. She can take a group of people at all levels of singing ability and through the force of her infectious enthusiasm--turn them into a harmonious choir. I don't know who benefits the most--those of us who get to listen, or those in the choir who experience the creative joy of making music together.
Elizabeth Lesser, co-founder of Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY
Maggie Wheeler taught a brilliant workshop for me and she changed lives. Seriously. Her energy, talent and generosity are beyond compare."
Anna Deveare Smith – Actress , playwright , recipient of Macarthur Fellowship
Our community was transformed during Maggie and Emile's two days at Ethel Walker. From master classes in the arts to an all school community sing, there was a palpable difference on campus: increased joy, decreased anxiety and stress, and deeper connections established within the community. Every group benefitted from the visit and the positive effects continue to reverberate."
Amy Wheeler Associate Head of School - The Ethel Walker School
We are constantly in awe of your abilities to get everyone harmonizing so quickly. You are a miracle.
Gurmuhk Khalsa – Founder of Golden Bridge Yoga
Maggie Wheeler and Emile Hassan Dyer create a remarkable musical space. Their optimism, skill, and gentle humanity invite the audience to fully participate in musical creation. Utilizing songs and music traditions from diverse world cultures, they weave singing, drumming, and storytelling into a powerful and incredible musical tapestry of peace, justice, and abiding joy. It is both delightful and profound. I was deeply moved by the experience.
Allyssa A. Boyer, Saint Paul's, United Church of Christ, Mechanicsburg, PA
Maggie and Emile ran a weekend workshop for our community . Over 100 people were entranced by the magic of learning to sing together. Over the course of two days, Maggie and Emile filled us with the joy of singing, the belief that we could each contribute no matter what our singing experience. They shared with us the power of music to bring people together. The healing benefits of the workshop went well beyond music. Maggie and Emile are leaders, motivators, and skilled communicators . I would be glad to welcome them back in our community or recommend them to any other group looking to bond and grow through music.
Ian Lawton, executive minister C3Exchange in Grand Haven MI.,
I've worked with many guest speakers / workshop leaders...and I can say that Ms. Wheeler was the most personable, most poised, professional and prepared...and frankly, the most FUN, of any other actor/singer we have ever brought in. You can tell she loves what she does, and that her passion and her desire to 'pay it forward' is ever-present and I will be forever grateful to her for her contributions to my program and the school.
ERIK BALL, Head of Theatrical Arts at Faith Lutheran H.S. - Las Vegas, NV
PARTICIPANTS
Maggie and Emile lead Golden Bridge Choir with love and pure joy, and
their energy is palpable in the delight with which the choir gathers and
sings. We are all ages, all backgrounds and absolutely united through the
glory of rich harmony and heartfelt lyrics. If everyone on the planet
could sing in a choir like this one, peace would prevail on Earth.
Dina Silver
Love this choir. Love to sing in general. Love the fact that my daughter loves this choir. Love the messages in the disparate songs that we sing, in their many different languages. But I have to say that maybe the best part for me was the drive home from the concert, just me and Olivia, where she asked me a million questions about the songs and where they come from and what they mean. Singing in this choir gives me a way to talk to my daughter about the world. About what's wrong with it and what's beautiful about it. And how singing makes each and every bit of it better. Much much better. There's nothing better than music, and there was nothing better than the closeness we shared because of this music. Thank you Golden Bridge Choir.
Shelly Reece
I think it's unique that you can walk into a room of people gathered and bonded in song and life as celebration and seamlessly fit in. I credit you and the atmosphere of warmth and fun you create. The music is elevating to be a part of. You can just feel spirits soar and tensions melt.
Linda Kessel
I would just like to share my personal experience with you as part of the choir. I found myself singing with tears running down as I became so conscious of the love in the room: my own son, husband, friends and so many wonderful people I have connected with during this last year, all being present in the same space. As we all leave for summer, full of adventure and new experiences here or there, I already feel a little void in my heart not to be able to see all these beautiful faces for the next few months. Your choir has given me more of a sense of community than I ever felt over the last 30 years living in LA. ( I mean it!) What you do and have accomplished is purely amazing and I already look forward to seeing you and the choir in the fall.
Carmen Ketola
Sometimes in one’s day-to-day life, it can be easy to lose awareness of magic. Routines and stresses can become the focus all too easily. Singing with Maggie and Emile and the Golden Bridge Choir brings back the magic. On Sunday when its time to sing, I can’t think of anything BUT magic and I become filled with a high that only communing in song can do. I’d never been a singer or part of a choir before, but the moment I felt the music move through my body, I was hooked. It is clear that Maggie and Emile have a strong intention with this choir. And that intention attracts like-minded people who celebrate life, love and connection. It is truly special and I am deeply grateful to be a part of it.
Sara Jean Young
The Golden Bridge Choir is the most uplifting experience ever. It is uplifting on every level; physically, emotionally and spiritually! It provides a community experience that most people only dream of. All of us coming from our own journey and joining together in song, spreading the message of peace and love that is so very needed in our world! My own journey includes two brain surgeries and my doctors , therapists and I credit Maggie Wheeler's Golden Bridge Community Choir for a huge part of my recovery!
Nina Obrian