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Sky Academy - New Zealand July 15 - 18, 2008

Sky Academy New Zealand

A  special  thanks   to Garry  Sharpe-Young   and   to  Stuart Trundle  for their efforts   to  
bring  Sky  Academy  to New   Zealand    and  for   the  G-TARanaki Guitar  Festival!


Regarding Sky Academy New Zealand:

Our  13 yr  old son  Max  was  lucky  to  be  included  in  Uli’s  workshops.   With  no  one
knowing quite what to expect, we had thought that we’d drop him off, and pick him up 5
hrs later.  But we couldn’t drag ourselves away. Uli had us  mesmerized.  Although    the
workshops were more like a seminar with small moments of opportunity  to  play,  Max
was transfixed by Uli’s ability to hone in on so many aspects of guitar playing.  The High
School age participants were quite dumb struck  to  start  with,  but  warmed  into   Uli’s
style of delivery and little by little, were keen to have their  moment  with  Uli  and  share
their passion for guitar. After each had had their time on stage,   I  was impressed  with
how they handled  the  “helpful hints”   and  in  turn  supported each other with  genuine
applause.  It was also neat to hear the classical and flamenco styled playing.

I  particularly   enjoyed Uli’s  gentle  and  holistic  nature  and  the way  both  He  and  his
keyboard player were happy to include some of the kids up on the stage in some of the
jam sessions.  I think the kids started  to  get  tired  of  the  “oldie Parents”  telling them
how lucky they were to have this opportunity,  but  they  soon  had  worked  that  out  for
themselves.

And each  of the three days just got better.  We  hadn’t heard of Vernon Reid before, but
so enjoyed  his take on playing, and how  he  revealed  a  little  of  his  life.   The  younger
members in the audience, clearly related to him. And Gilby Clarke and his band, brought
another sound to the final day.  If only those school hall walls could talk!  They will never
be the same again.

But apart from the sensational playing, for me the biggest part of those three days, was
the generosity of spirit that  all  the  musicians shared  with  the  small  crowds  of  very
eager participants.  I think it is quite extraordinary that they were willing to give  of their
time and  musicianship,  to  just  a  handful  of  very  ordinary  New  Zealanders,  in  very
ordinary towns, in very ordinary school halls.  It’s great to see that Kiwi essence is very
much alive and well.   If  only more had  witnessed  it,   however,   if  they  had,  then  we  
wouldn’t have had that intimate, privileged experience.




So after 5 days of musical  wizardry,  we are  all  home  and  busy  sharing  the  tales  of
glorious music, and wondering why more people hadn’t heard about it.

Thanks so much to you and all your team for bringing to New Plymouth, a monumental
week of music.

Gtaranaki Rocks.!!  We would come back for more.

Regards

Peter & Jenny Brown





As the non musical father of a future guitar legend I  can't  even begin  to  express  how
grateful   I  am  that  my  son  (Marcus age 15)  had the  chance to play to,  listen  to  and
mingle with the likes of Uli Jon Roth, Gilby Clark and Vernon Reid.

I went to the workshops   and   WISH   I   had   gone   to  the  concerts.   Marcus  went  to
everything!!!!!.     Sky    Academy,   midnight  sessions   and   both   Friday   and  Saturday
concerts.

Marcus was  particularly impressed with Uli and Vernon and if you have the opportunity
to pass on a fathers  deepest gratitude to  these  men  I  would  be  greatfull!!!!!   Marcus
is truely  inspired to play the guitar to the best of his ability.   (which is pretty damn good
and getting better!!!)

Once again thank you for organising such a wonderful event,  and  it  is  truely  inspiring
to come face to face with guitar legends who are to this day, obviously in love with their
art and willing to travel to little old Taranaki  to  impart  some  of  that passion.

Best Regards

Andrew Laurence





I thought the G TARAnaki festival was great.  I attended two clinics where young and old
guitarists mixed and learnt togeather.   There  was no  pretention, it  was  inclusive  and
informative.I learnt enough to practice For a year!

The 2 concerts I attended were brilliant Thanks Regards Dave Fabish
Uli with some of the students from Sky
Academy 2006 at the Getty Museum in
Los Angeles
Sky Academy 2007 Musician's
Institute Los Angeles. Last day
of class.
Sky Academy 2006.
Sky Academy 2006 - UCLA - Los
Angeles, CA
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