Workshop Feedback

“

Thank you again for last Thursday's workshop in Yellow Springs! The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive and appreciative (e.g., "Wow!" "... in the presence of graceful genius"). The AWW board members and I marveled at the way you allowed everyone to speak and made all feel included.

”

— Laura Carlson
Antioch Writers Workshop

“

Personally, I wanted to say that Carrie's presence and involvement added a huge dimension to our program and depth in what we offered to the students. The fact that she has followed her dream, particularly in an unusual career, made a big impact and caused the students to really open their minds to consider what they what they most want to do (not necessarily the safe, easy route...or what might be expected). Carrie immediately fit in with the staff, as though she had been working with us at Denison for years. Her perceptions were very valuable to us in staff meetings at the end of each day. We were so fortunate to have Carrie in the pilot of our Quest program. She helped us to hit a "home run" on our first at bat!!

”

— Trish
Denison University

“

Being a fan of Carrie's music led me to her web page in order to look for what was new with Carrie and her music. I found there a flyer on a workshop on "Faith and Vocation". Its description was a component of what we needed for our group, but I wanted to add creativity and leadership into the mix. Carrie and Jill listened intently to our group's unique needs as I described them in the planning sessions for the workshop. Carrie facilitated a discussion with individual writing time to challenge us on what we value most in life and work and how our values are expressed. Throughout the day Carrie sang songs of hers that melded perfectly with our discussions. We even wrote the lyrics to our own song as a group which was great fun! Jill had us thinking outside the box in order to bring creativity into our lives and at work. Our specially tailored workshop was a rousing success. Our group came away refreshed and energized. I would enthusiastically recommend Carrie and Jill as talented facilitators and for bringing their uplifting perspectives to any workshop or seminar.

”

— Tom Dunigan
Director of Operations, Boston Scientific - Spencer, Indiana

“

Our church was absolutely thrilled to have Carrie grace us with her song and spirit. Her performances during our worship services and the coffee house was a resounding success. Her spirit was contagious and she definitely has the right touch to communicate the sacred in word and song. Her beautiful songwriting skills so wonderfully expressed the values of our church - spirituality, peace, justice, diversity and community. Having Carrie worship with us it was a true highlight of our church's short history. The consensus was that it was a fabulous weekend! We also hope that this is the beginning of a continuing relationship and look forward to many more opportunities to have Carrie bless us with her wonderful gifts.

”

— Karen Emery
Cross Creek Community Church United Church of Christ

“

Carrie was a true joy to have with us. Her way of being gently present, of connecting heart, mind, and soul with students and faculty (and even my own young children!) is amazing - in concert, during a workshop, or one-on-one. Her music is soulful and inspired, her gracious spirit so inviting, her care for the 'sacred ordinary' around and within us, so truthful. She explored and learned along with us, and nourished us in so many ways. What a gift!

”

— Dr. Chris Johnson
Director, Center for Vocational Reflection - Gustavus Adolphus College

“

In the workshop, Carrie offered a good balance of presenting her own personal experience, some hand out materials, timed writings, space for participants to share from their writings, feedback, and time for questions and answers. Carrie works quite effectively with college-aged students. They are very responsive to her manner and delivery. She employs gentle humor, usually about herself, to good effect, and draws people out in a productive way. She is able to work with a diverse range of ages and interests within a session - songwriters, poets, faithful and/or budding journal keepers - students and older members of the community - all have their interests addressed in some way.

When sharing with various student groups, including a seminary class on Art and Spirituality, Carrie shared with integrity about how her music reflects her own life and spiritual journey. Students were engaged by her authenticity and welcomed into a space of honest discussion and exploration.

”

— Dortha Meredith
Director, Project on Faith, Vocation, and Leadership - Earlham College

“

Carrie has the soft spoken grace of a reed in the wind that makes music by all the world that blows through. Her music comes as if through her and not out of her. It is powerful in this way; her themes are anchored in the real observations of the workaday world and her promising themes point toward Hope for us each and Encouragement for us all.

In the same way, Carrie's workshops are an invitation to join her in the Creative Act. Each participant dives first into herself or himself. What we come up knowing is certain to surprise and assure. She holds it with great care and respect, encouraging us - cajoling us - to take it with us.

”

— Mark R. Orten
Director of Religious Life and Chaplain - Denison University

“

I'd recommend Carrie Newcomer as an instructor for any writing workshop in which a high value is placed on each individual writer's journey and growth as a writer. Carrie has lessons to teach us all about moving gracefully through the world as an artist.

”

— Georgann Eubanks
Director, Duke University Writers Conference

“

To attend one of Carrie Newcomer's workshops, to hear her sing and speak of the art and craft of writing the truths of our lives, is to be inspired, encouraged, and heartened by a wise woman who is profoundly 'letting her life speak.' Hers is a ministry of touching our 'sacred ordinaries' while sharing the stories of hers. She gives participants the audacity to believe that what each of us live and think and feel and do is important, and that with courage and compassion and tenacity, we will change the world. The workshops become a holy time and space for such wild dreams and vision. Her graciousness and humility and humor abound (as does that of her management), so that creating a workshop/concert event for the parish or community is really a gathering of the 'festival of friends' for a unique and wonderful experience.

”

— The Rev. Carol A. Mader
Butler University, M. A., 1982, Christian Theological Seminary, M. Div., 1986 - Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, 1987

“

What a pleasure it was to have Carrie on Campus for three days. She preformed in a wide range of events and each received glowing reviews from the participants. Her workshops were excellent as she combined music, storytelling, exercises to make you think, and a little bit of plain common sense. People left feeling both uplifted and inspired.

Thursday night, in a coffee house setting, she combined her professional experience with some of our student singer/songwriters. Her non threatening manner allowed the students to showcase their songs without feeling intimidated by someone with Carrie talents. What a fantastic opportunity for these aspiring musicians.

In Chapel, the next day, we had a presentation commemorating the genocide in Rwanda before Carrie took the stage. How do you follow the remembrance of such a tragic event? Carrie gracefully came on stage and sang a soulful rendition of “Heard an Owl,”With her words of, on tell me hate is ever right or God will...the whole world weeps and is weeping still,we were able to be in touch with the evil that is possible in our humanity and yet have hope for what the world can be. From there she led us in worship that spoke to the physical and the spiritual in each one of us.

Then, later that day, her concert swept us away. Students, faculty/staff and local Carrie Newcomer fans filled the venue with high expectations and they were not disappointed. Needless to say, Carrie is vocally beautiful, but she is also more than a singer. She is a story teller with purpose. By being both thoughtful and entertaining she is able to connect with individuals who are a part of a large crowd. She has the ability to be playful yet challenges you to think about your life and what you are doing with it. People who were hearing her for the first time became life long Carrie Newcomer fans.

The personal touch that Carrie brings to everything she does was evident, even at the end of three exhausting days. Instead of rushing out after the concert she stayed as long as people wanted to talk to her. We did not want to let her go but her gentle soul and inspiring words still linger here at EMU.

”

— Lawrence Miller
Director of Student Programs - Eastern Mennonite University