LIBRARY REVIEWS - 2008/2009
"When it comes to performing for kids, sometimes it takes one to know one. Bonnie is definitely a kid at heart. Her childlike spirit is a pure delight. Bonnie's singing, storytelling, sense of humor, and musicianship keeps kids engaged and entertained. I am delighted to recommend Bonnie Phipps as a performer for children and family audiences. She's a sure hit! "
Keri Aiken, Children’s Librarian, Estes Park Library (CO)
kaiken@esteslibrary.org / 541-617-7099
"How To Bring Laughter To Your Library and Maintain Healthy Funny Bones!
1. Hire Bonnie Phipps for summer music and story programs.
2. Publicize your programs for all families who like fun.
3. Introduce Bonnie Phipps, sit back and enjoy the hilarity.
4 Write your report: 'Provided merry and memorable language experiences to library audiences.'"
Priscilla Queen, Literacy Specialist - Douglas County Libraries (CO)
pqueen@dclibraries.org / 303 688-7626
"The Gypsum Public Library really enjoyed Bonnie Phipps. She was wonderful at grabbing the attention and entertaining all ages...from infants to adults. Her stories and songs involved the audience with motions, verses, words and chants. A few of the pre-school attendees still remember their parts and sing it at the library! Her interest in Appalachian music and instruments was evident with her autoharp-which greatly enhanced all of her stories and the entertainment of watching her play the spoons. She taught us some of the secrets to playing spoons. The audience was captivated, and I'm sure many attempted to try the play spoons as well. I would highly recommend Bonnie to other libraries and schools."
Kendra Doepken, Youth Services, Gypsum Public Library (CO)
kendrad@marmot.org / 970-524-5080
"Bonnie is a child at heart, so her concerts are gentle, fun and family-friendly. Her audiences enjoy her humor, her amazing talent with the autoharp and spoons, and that she always invites participation from her listeners. From dinosaurs to bubble gum, you're guaranteed a delightful musical romp with Bonnie!"
Heather McNeil, Youth Services Coordinator, Deschutes Public Libraries (OR)
heatherm@dpls.lib.or.us / 541-617-7099
"I highly recommend Bonnie to a public library wishing to provide a great
family program. Bonnie brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm into her programming. She adapts her performance to all ages, and is flexible by catering to the crowd. She engages kids in the audience by encouraging their participation - kids stay captivated with her combination of music and thematic storytelling. Bonnie is the perfect venue for a public library program - she plays a turquoise Autoharp and two spoons very well!"
Robyn Bryant, Youth Services Librarian, Eagle Valley Library District (CO)
robynb@marmot.org / (970) 328-8811
"Bonnie visited the Whittier Public Library for two delightful performances this summer and I would love to have her back often. Everyone in attendance, staff included, enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The stories and songs that Bonnie shared were perfectly suited to her audiences and the interaction she encouraged was great fun for all. Ms. Phipps was thoroughly professional as we made arrangements for her visit and everything went very smoothly. I would highly recommend her to anyone working with children and their families. She brings a real sense of fun and delight to her performances and leaves everyone enriched by the experience. "
Bonnie Weber, Library Services Manager, Whittier Public Library (CA)
bwebwe@whittierlibrary.org / (970) 328-8811
"Bonnie is thoroughly professional in every way. Communications with her are easy and always clear and timely. Her photos are good (fun and appealing and often picked up by the press) so publicity is easy. I think parents enjoy her shows as much as the kids. Her inclusion of participatory elements in programs for the wee ones really gets them involved and the humor of course works with everyone. I always get lots of positive comments and expressions of delight as people exit our theater after her shows since she has been performing in lots of different situations in this area for many years."
Carol Heepke, Program Coordinator, Boulder Public Library (CO)
heepkec@boulder.lib.co.us / (970) 328-8811
"Bonnie's passion for children and music is apparent as soon as she takes the stage. She immediately wins the approval of the audience with her high energy and great sense of humor - the kids know she is enjoying her time with them. Bonnie's performances provide the audience with a wide variety of music which is as entertaining for preschoolers as it is for elementary school age kids. I will continue to hire Bonnie to perform as she is very entertaining, professional and reliable."
Kathy Klatt, Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library, Program Coordinator (CO)
kklatt@ci.broomfield.co.us / (970) 328-8811
SCHOOL REVIEWS - 2008/2009
"Bonnie Phipps is wonderful!! Her energy, music, and storytelling is fun for all ages. She has an incredible way of keeping the audience engaged by adding their voices into the stories/songs. The kids all enjoyed singing along to her music and had so much fun learning about the Autoharp. I hope to see her perform again soon."
Christine Heidemann, PTA parent at Gypsum Elementary (CO)
eheidemann@centurytel.net
"For nearly 15 years, my daughter has enjoyed Bonnie Phipps' outstanding lyrics and catchy tunes, and now my sixth graders have discovered her, too! Bonnie is an outstanding entertainer who appeals to children of all ages. Kids sing along and one student said, "I can't get that song out of my head. I will be singing 'The Little Blue Man' all day!" If you are looking for a fine program with plenty of audience participation and appreciation, be sure to invite Bonnie to your school!"
Karen Patz, 6th grade teacher, Grant Ranch School, Denver (CO)
karen_patz@dpsk12.org / 720 424-6938
PREVIOUS REVIEWS
"Our staff was awed at the way Bonnie handles children, the variety of her material and the obvious mastery she has of the Autoharp. Teachers told me how their students returned to their classroom, singing."
Marymae Seaman, Music Teacher
Jefferson County, CO
"Tift County children are in love with Bonnie Phipps! Her teaching background comes through as she has the entire audience in complete control for 45 minutes. Children respond to the performance with such pleasure, enthusiasm and understanding it mystifies their classroom teachers."
Jerry Walker, Education Coordinator
Arts Experiment Station, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, GA
"Bonnie Phipps is a classy clown whose stories and songs never condescend to her audience . . . her face is so expressive that she could melt ice off a cynic's soul."
Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO
"This talented young woman presents an inspiring program which is of great educational value as well as highly entertaining. Hers is one of the best programs we have scheduled in several years, and our students, teachers, parents, and I recommend her to other schools with great enthusiasm."
Drusilla Leon, Principal
Bushnell Way Elementary, Los Angelos, CA
"I was most impressed with the artist's ability to hold the children's attention, to be able to increase the energy level and then bring the children right back to careful listening. A wonderful talent for relating to children."
Shirley Gordon, Enrichment Coordinator
M.E. Small School, Yarmouth, MA
"Your rapport with the audience, both children and adults was delightful and evidenced by their enthusiastic response. It is obvious that you really care about your young audience and have spent time developing material that is eductional, entertaining and appropriate for their interests, understanding and attention spans. The musical talent of you and your band is a joy to watch and listen to and our audience was enthralled throughout the performance. Thanks for providing one of the highlights of our children's series."
David T. Siever, Director
Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO
"Tift County children are in love with Bonnie Phipps! Children respond to the performance with such pleasure, enthusiasm and understanding. . . .I can't say enoug
h good things about each individual and the group as a whole. They are each very talented and bring their talents together into a fantastic performance to delight children of all ages."
Jerry Walker, Education Coordinator
Arts Experiment Station, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, GA
"You can tell your kids you're taking them to see Bonnie Phipps & her Elastic Band. They might not want to go if you thell them you think her songs and stories are like totally cool. Phipps and her band give 'family entertainment' a good name. It's fun that doesn't make everyone but the kids cringe."
John Lehndorff
Boulder Daily Camera, CO
"When you're 4 years old, you don't have much in the way of experience. But Bonnie Phipps & the Elastic Band, performing before about 1,000 tots and parents yesterday at Innsbrook, drew upon those limited experiences to create a show that even the youngest of children could relate to. Parents weren't neglected, either. 'Don't be a nerd, pass me the bird,' probably escaped the little ones during a swing tune on fried chicken, as did a subtle mention of Perrier when they were asked to empty their imaginary picnic baskets. Parents also couldn't help but smile upon recognition of updated versions of songs they hadn't heard since their own childhood. And in this age of heavy metal, they had to appreciate the refreshing whimsy of the bigs kids on stage."
Ester Benenson
Richmond Times, VA
"Thank you for sponsoring Bonnie Phipps & the Elastic Band on May 23 at Bristol Community College. This presentation was one of the finest children's musical programs I have ever seen. The group was very entertaining and engaged the young audience in full participation. The music and lyrics were well done and in good taste for young students. It is very obvious that Bonnie Phipps & the Elastic Band enjoy their profession and convey this you to their audiences. I hope they continue to travel around the country for a long time."
Sister Bernadette Sullivan
St. Michael School, MA
REFERENCES - 2008/2009
COLORADO
Barbara Roig, Jeff Co libraries, CO
broig@jefferson.lib.co.us
Rita Curtis, Durango Library, CO
curtisrd@ci.durango.co.us
Laura Mc Henry, Cortez Library, CO
lmchenry@cityofcortez.com
Kristen Moberg, Ridgway Library, CO
ridgwaylibrary@yahoo.com
Michael Cox, Pueblo Libraries, CO
michaelcox@pueblolibrary.org
Carol Heepke, Boulder Public Library, CO
303-441-3196 / heepkec@boulder.lib.co.us
Kathy Klatt, Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library, CO
720-887-2320 / kklatt@ci.broomfield.co.us
Robyn Bryant, Youth Services Librarian, Eagle Valley Library District (CO)
(970) 328-8811 / robynb@marmot.org
Kendra Doepken, Youth Services, Gypsum Public Library (CO)
970-524-5080 / kendrad@marmot.org
Priscilla Queen, Literacy Specialist - Douglas County Libraries.(CO)
303 688-7626 / pqueen@dclibraries.org
Christine Heidemann, PTA parent at Gypsum Elementary (CO)
eheidemann@centurytel.net
Karen Patz 6th grade teacher, Grant Ranch School, Denver Public Schools (CO)
720 424-6938 / karen_patz@dpsk12.org
CALIFORNIA
Kay Mc Donald – Bev Hills Lib
310 288-2212 kmacdonald@beverlyhills.org
Sharon Billard, Thousand Palms Lib, CA
760 343-1556
Any Dodson, Cathedral City, CA
760 328-4262
Pam Gaggioli, Central Library, Pasadena, CA
626 744-4045 / pgaggioli@cityofpasadena.net
Bonnie Webber at Whittier Library, Whittier, CA
562 464-3450 / bwebwe@whittierlibrary.org
OREGON
Heather McNeal, Bend Public Library
541-617-7099 / heatherm@dpls.lib.or.us
WASHINGTON
Pat Tinko, Marysville Library, WA
ptimko@sno-isle.org
Jo Ann Buff - Woodby Island Libraries
jbuff@sno-isle.org 360 221-4383