Testimonials

 Biljana Bojovic

“You are doing such a great thing for art, music, the violin world and composers.”

“Seriously, Vanessa, when I said it’s been a privilege to collaborate with you, I have meant it and mean it.  Only if every composer could be so blessed”

~cellist and composer for the Sequoia National Park film from Jackson, CA

Larry Shapiro

"Your project sounds wonderful - visionary and uplifting-which is what I expect from you.

-professional violinist from Indianapolis, IN

George Thomas

"A project undertaking of this breadth is truly inspiring. I wish this project great success. Our music world needs new musical works and composers to be excited and to keep growing our community."

-composer

James Wu

Dear Ms. Porter, 
I find what you are doing to be truly inspiring. The world needs such a journey; mother nature needs it.

Too many people look to classical music as too artificial and complex... it is true that instruments such as the violin suffer when exposed to the atmosphere, but playing them within a natural environment is unspeakably beautiful, beyond the capacity of words alone, and suggests that just maybe, humans have already discovered a way to merge the synthetic with the natural, in a world where humans have become increasingly synthetic themselves.

I commend you, as your silhouette ignites against the rising sun and your music resounds across the infinite space of time and sky, where it speaks to all things, living or not, through a profound resonance that is understood without needing to be understood. Your home is wherever you are, and my spirit is lifted to know that for you, this can be true.

Humbly,
James Wu

Andrea Lenz

"Congratulations on your wonderful project! I really admire your ambition and generosity to the community."

-Professional pianist and oboist from Reno, NV

Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio

"You are such an entreprenuer!! I'm so impressed...I'm still in awe of what you are doing with your music and getting out into the community. Congratulations!!

-professional violinist from Cleveland, OH

Marina Oster

“Wow! The piece (Sequoia) sounds phenomenal! The middle sounded like it was from another world.  Harmonics? Very cool.”

-professional harpist from Reno, NV

Eithne Harley

"Oh wow. (Carlsbad video) Brava- absolutely stunning, the music, the cinematography the light and shade, or as it is really is in this, darkness into light. Beautiful execution and gorgeous gorgeous music and fab cinematography. Congratulations to all x"

-Works at Accenture from Dublin, Ireland

Ray Leslee

"I really applaud you for doing this enormous project. It's good for you -- good for composers --
and the biggest good is for the audience.

Average people think of "new music" as something
painful but there are wonderful composers who want to communicate with as many
people as possible -- that's certainly my aim. I'm not interested in creating new vocabulary,
like a Schoenberg or Cage. I have enormous respect for that type of quest -- but I also have plenty to say --
and composers who have something to say in familiar language are just as deserving of recognition --
especially if that something is expressed in real quality.

I'm confident that audiences will be delighted and moved by hearing music that's new and different for them. In effect you are opposing the "dumbing down" of America by a simple concrete effort. I hope you are seen as the musical Johnny Appleseed.

-composer