“Where else can an audience be able to have a personal conversation with a "famous musician" who might have been a role model and inspiration? People oftentimes can't even pay money to talk to their favorite performers backstage. Yet you have created an arena where musicians and audiences can connect. The joy that can be felt… is refreshingly addictive.” - Hien and Ellie Huynh (San Bernardino, CA)
“Thanks for all that you at Salastina do. I discovered the Happy Hour (and Salastina) when Caroline Shaw tweeted in advance of her appearance. That event was such a balm to me that I’ve kept coming back, and I love the mission of Salastina... It’s a ray of joy in these troubling times.” - Jason Kerr (AZ)
“You guys are the role model for how to do a Zoom event. Every one of them is interesting because you know the right questions to ask and you have the background to relate to whoever the guest is. I've told many people about what you are doing. Keep up the good work!” - Mike Napoli (LA, CA)
“I am indeed a friend of Salastina, and a direct beneficiary of the special combination of education and entertainment that this unique entity embodies so candidly and well.” - Cheryl Smith (Los Angeles, CA)
“i loved [Lucia Micarelli’s] conversation about non-classical audiences and sharing with people .. i felt like she was talking to me ... this time has definitely given us the choice to crumble or create something new .... of course you know which one i prefer ... see you next Tuesday for another instrument i have never heard of before … what an education i am getting from this pandemic” - Liz De Angelis (LA, CA)
“Thank YOU and everyone at Salastina for putting on a fantastic event. On top of being a fun hour plus with one of my favorite artists, you guys are Zoom experts, and it was much appreciated. The silver lining of this pandemic is being able to participate and support performances and groups like yours, no matter my location.” - Mace Mamlock (San Francisco, CA)
“It just warmed my soul to know that these kinds of programs continue to bring people together across the pandemic time and space, sharing the beauty and inspiration of music and connection.” - Janet Robusto (New York City)
“I truly look forward to hanging out for an hour or so each Tuesday with my newly found socially-distanced musical family… the feelings of appreciation and support for what you all are doing run deep. Keep doing what you’re doing! And it's obvious that you're all doing it with joy.” - Lou Karnopp (Bay Area, CA; new donor)
“Salastina continues to be a bright spot in my life. In this virtual venue, each guest has revealed authenticity of who they are as a person, as well as demonstrating his or her musical gifts. Inspired Salastina musicians, as well as your inspired guest musicians, are helping to determine the character of the future. Thank you to you, Kevin, and all who make it outstanding!” - Peggy Falkenstein (Oregon City, OR)
“THANK YOU, Salastina for making this available for those of us who were unable to attend the concert in Pasadena. wow. Wow. WOW! My eyes and ear (only hear from one ear) were OPENED. WONDERFUL TANGO music. Like I wrote in the chat. I need to practice my steps. Salastina = talented artists who come together to provide music for eager listeners who once upon a time were musicians and now aspire to continue some level of proficiency. INSPIRING, indeed! THANK YOU, again.”
“Oh my goodness, these Salastina events are the highlight of my week! Thank you for creating this space where we can connect through music and community during this time.” - Christie Glaser (Long Beach, CA; new donor)
“We are blown away by Salastina.” - Karen Bierman and Richard Nordwind (former LA Times critic)
“I love the variety and the interesting mix of professionalism and personal touch you have in your programs.” - Marion Joy (LA, CA)
“Love the music. Just love it! I keep forgetting we're isolating in an increasingly problematic pandemic. Music sure can help with that.” - Linda Vandaveer (Westlake Village, CA; new donor)
“The music is an amazing gift, but getting to know the beautiful souls of these gifted artists is even better.” - Pam McGaw (location unknown)
“One good thing about 2020 was finding gems like Salastina way across the country.” - Yvonne Frank (Virginia), new donor
“I cannot thank you enough for the joy and comfort you have brought with the Happy Hour concerts-the new light in my week! With gratitude for all you have done and continue to do, both online and in person. *the only time I wished I lived closer!*” - Rosemary Nelson (Kirkland, WA)
“I wanted to send an email sharing a little bit about where your music reaches. I live in the central valley of California and get little exposure to live concerts… I first became aware of Salastina because I follow earthquake information and Dr. Lucy [Jones] was performing. I was so hooked after that performance, that I began watching as frequently as possible. I have learned so much about music and I’ve been exposed to so many great performers... Your concerts were and are an uplifting event in the day. I am so extremely grateful to you and all the Salastina Artists.” - Laura Unti (Madera, CA)
“Normally we attend many performances throughout the year in the Los Angeles area though sadly, that has not been possible this year… The music that you have made available through Salastina has truly been a lifeline for me. I have enjoyed the varied and accomplished performances and the spirit in which they are presented.” - Robin Katz (LA, CA)
“Your Tuesday cocktail hours have been so inspirational and so diverse. It's made us feel like we are in some small way a part of the greater Salastina Family.” Steve Young (Long Beach, CA)
“You have brought us so much beautiful music and so many interesting musicians I would not have heard without you. Thank you.” Ann Wang (Los Angeles, CA)
“I heard about Salastina… some time ago and at that time was invited to a free concert. However, we could not make it due to being busy with lots of other engagements. Since then we have attended several of the Tuesday cocktail hours and really appreciated how they were organized and the drive to bring interesting music to your listeners. We look forward to in-person as well as online music adventures. Keep it going!” - Marianne Afifi (Pacific Palisades, CA)
“To all of you at Salastina, Thank you for a magnificent presentation! Please keep me on your list… You do a super-fine job of this Zoom thing and your sweet personalities are a big plus!” - Karina Murphy (Santa Monica, CA)
“I really enjoyed this concert ... I was tired at that time, but it took only minutes for these incredible musicians to bring me good vibes and energy! Thank you very much!” - Suzanne Leclair (Montreal, Canada)
“I live in a suburb of Seattle and due to long commutes (outside of COVID), I'm not able to attend very many live arts events. This gives amazing access to talented musicians--both sharing their performances & sharing their stories. And I really appreciate your & Kevin's positive / authentic / uplifting stories & perspectives too. Thank you!” - Dianne Riter (Seattle, WA)
“I attend every week! It's fantastic! I am struck by the range and caliber of the guest artists and also love the length of the conversations and engagement of those on the Zoom… Thanks so much for the personal care in the reach outs also. That is highly unusual! You have so many on the Zoom calls! Hats off to all of you! And thanks for tracking and honoring my existing donations in making it even easier to become a member! Your website is also very user-friendly, making it easy to donate. Thanks for that as well.” - Elizabeth Yuan (New York City)
“You and Kevin have created/founded something that I find unique for our times; a personal connection between audience and musician that I find distressingly absent in our current society, what with Live Nation, large concert halls, and megastars. Instead of shared music, we have consumers listening to musicians, and an impenetrable wall between. Call it a moral imperative that I should do what I can to contribute to the success of something as precious as Salastina. I've written and crossed out a dozen sentences, and I can't sum up how much Salastina means to me both very personally, and as a misfit/music/student. Salastina nourishes my soul, and the distance of your reach does not surprise me in the least.” - Margles Singleton (Milwaukee, WI)
“This non-musician is as enchanted by the chat box as the music at every Happy Hour. I feel like I’ve been let in on a secret society! Thank you all.” - Beth Feingold (NorCal)
“Thank you for the privilege of attending… What a gift.” - Judith Paltin
“Thank you for the amazing work you’re doing! There were so many inspiring moments tonight.” - Kassie Meeks
“Your generous zooms have been a real touchstone for my sanity this year. I can't thank you enough. When I tell people about how fantastic your ensemble is, which is often, they ask what makes you so special. I say that you're jaw-droppingly talented master musicians, you attract fresh, amazing guests - and that you lead the whole thing with LOVE.” - Jane Brucker (LA, CA)
“Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to meet one of my favourite artists and engage in conversation virtually. It was especially precious given the current pandemic situation where almost all of the live concerts have been postponed and not knowing when we will have those moments back - soon I hope. Thank you for such an educational and fun program!” - Gloria Lim
“Thank you so much for the great event yesterday. I really enjoyed it with my whole family! “ - Dukgun Kim
“Thank you so much for organising these events, they are so amazing and informative and fun.” - Mattea Little
“We are so appreciative that you have been hosting these amazing events, and it was unbelievable to share an evening with Alan Menken!!” - Angeline Sullivan
“Thank you for an awesome event. I attend Walt Disney Family Museum virtual events and Salastina blew those out of the water.” - Chris Bowersox
“Thank you so much for operating such a great zoom session with Alan Menken. That was truly the "Happiest Hour" during this difficult time. So, I am just expressing my gratitude. Looking forward to the next one.” - Tatuko Koide
“I just wanted to first say thank you so much to everyone at Salastina for this wonderful event last night! It was so fantastic seeing Mr. Menken and listening to all of the amazing stories and great questions that were asked!” Stacie Lindenbaum
“You continue to exceed my huge expectations about your Tuesday sessions--each better and better, if that is possible. You certainly have an impressive group of friends--very impressive but not surprising, given your own accessible and welcoming personalities and musical "chops."! Thank you, again, for another marvelous Salastina evening. The only show that could be better will be when you are playing together again.” - Ann Ehringer, Salastina Season Sponsor-level Member (LA, CA)
“The salons are a treat, and an unexpected and positive antidote to these pandemic times!” - Vicki Kirsch and Michael Alexander (LA, CA)
“Congrats on a beautiful year of Tuesday nights with such an amazing community. We completely agree with Maia when she says she hasn't felt that disconnected alienation so many people have felt during the pandemic. We didn't feel it either! … We believe the weekly hours spent with Salastina play a huge part in that. Salastina was also the backbone to helping us engage with music in a way that we had wanted to but didn't know how — regularly, intimately, and with great heart. It's such a huge part of our lives now. We have conversations about art and how to think about and make art all the time. It was amazing to hear those conversations from musicians we didn't know existed, and now admire. We could write forever, but this small box probably can't handle all of our admiration, appreciation, and love.” - Andy Anderegg and Esteban Pulido (LA, CA)
“You guys are doing a fantastic job with these programs. It is really helping to fill the void of live performances, and is keeping us sane! Thank you!!” - Martin, Carmina, and Sam Glicklich (LA, CA)
“Thank you for putting on such fantastic events during the lockdown!” - AJ Minette (LA, CA)
“The Happy Hours are incredible, such wonderful ideas and meticulous attention to detail. It is obvious a tremendous amount of work goes into each one... The creative minds always collaborating at Salastina are impressive--but never more so than yesterday's Happy Hour!!!! With each Happy Hour I think, "Well, there probably won't ever be anything better than this"------BUT, the next week---there is!!!! … What a treat for us.” - Patsy Burke (Pasadena, CA)
“I'm so proud to be a part of the Salastina family! ... As the global threat of COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's so good to know that you… bring some sense of togetherness, inspiration, and new purpose… A dear friend of mine was so inspired by your last Happy Hour No. 19, that she ran out and bought a 1899 baby grand Steinway!” - Nancy Hathaway (Glendale, CA)
“I just viewed Happy Hour #29 that you sent me. WOW what a thought-provoking and intelligent presentation that opened my mind about music. Congratulations to all of you at Salastina for putting these presentations together.” - William Wilk (Pasadena, CA)
“In this COVID period when most and much larger organizations are paralyzed not knowing what to do... [Salastina] jumped up right away and started putting on shows of all kinds. We love you now more than ever.” - Jerry and Terri Kohl (Pasadena, CA)
“I just had some bad news about an hour ago. This concert is a great gift right now. Thank you.” - Paula Van Houten (LA, CA)
“I am inspired by the efforts of Salastina… led by Maia Jasper White and Kevin Kumar. Undaunted by sequestration and turmoil, Salastina continues online their efforts to bring together classically-inspired musicians and composers, especially the younger generations, and their growing Los Angeles-area audiences in performances that are inclusive of many musical styles and equally diverse musicians and listeners. Salastina’s Happy Hours over Zoom, now in their 18th evening, have brought us live and synced music performances and lively interactions and conversations with musicians and music lovers…. For many of us, these events have become an important part of our survival kit.” - Neven Karlovac’s (LA, CA) letter to the Editor of the New Yorker
“Oh my goodness.... you bring such joy into our lives!... We're donating again now to keep it all coming!” - Susan Potters (Maine)
“Keep up the good work, and continue bringing beautiful music and fellowship to us in this challenging time.” - Lucy Yang (San Marino, CA)
“You guys got me through the worst of the pandemic -- at least I hope the worst is over! The value of that is incalculable.” - Carolyn Oill (LA, CA)
“THANK YOU to everyone who worked to put this on for us! Texting my Mom who’s 2000+ miles away and also watching and we’re just grateful.” - Clara Powers
“I haven’t felt this alive since before the pandemic. THANK YOU.” - Amanda Wager (Iowa)
“this was so encouraging and inspiring. thank you so much. Im so glad I stumbled upon Salastina on facebook.” - Danielle Chan
”I will remember this night always. Thank you, Alan Menken and Salastina!! Grateful... <3 “ - Sara Andon
“Thank you so much!!! Very late here in Europe – but worth EVERY minute!” - Frank Heckel (Frankfurt, Germany)
“I had a challenging day and your program made me smile and feel warm <3” - Yoshie Nakayama (LA, CA)
“Thank you Salastina for another amazing evening that brought us tears of joy! See you next week <3” - Andy Anderegg & Esteban Pulido
“Thank you for being a lifeline to so many, especially during the pandemic.” - Paula VanHouten
“I joined for the Alan Menken episode, but it certainly looks like your organization is a talented and warm-hearted one. I had not heard of you until tonight, but the community you have created between yourselves and with the world at large seems like a very positive and valuable thing.” - Michael Moricz (Chicago IL)
“Thanks for the wonderful, intimate presentations. So many brilliant artists; thankful for everyone sharing their time.” - Gary Rae (Los Angeles CA)
“This has been a gift and helped keep me sane this past year. A delight… Thank you for these wonderful concerts and conversations.” - Leslie Alden
“It’s almost a shame that so many other world class artists are clamoring to be in one of these. I didn’t realize until just now that I’d be perfectly happy if there were no guests at all and it was just us every week.” - Karl Morton IV
“I’m 72 and my joy is to see such outstanding, gifted, skilled, passionate YOUNG musicians - and to be sharing their and others’ performances with so many in this way - esp during this unique time. You all have enabled the connections that create community - with each other first (modeling your closeness & respect) and then with your guest artists - making them feel relaxed and engaged and respected. And then allowing us to see your vulnerability and the guest artists - and your passions, laughter and love of music! Thank you for a smart, entirely engaging, and absolutely human series that has made the pandemic tolerable. Thanks!!” - Emily Teller (Boston, MA)
“Your happy hours are often the best part of my week, and I always look forward to them.” - Natalie McNair
“Thank you, Thank you! Every Happy Hour has been beautiful and inspiring. Grateful to be part of this community!” - Ellen Harris
“I am new to Salastina. It has excited me so much to be part of this community. Your warmth and generosity of spirit is so appreciated. The performers have been magnificent! I am spreading the word to all I know who love music.” - Dorothy Keane
“Congrats to everyone at Salastina for creating such a great online forum for music and community.” - Holly Hickman
“It's getting late here on the East Coast. Before I say goodnight, thanks for the review of the Year in Salastina. I joined you recently--as soon as I heard about you--so I missed most of what you gave us a taste of tonight. You have me for as long as you are broadcasting. Goodnight!” - Judy Sussholtz
“Thank you for this invaluable programming, and especially for offering it for free! Being in Q&As with Alan Menken and Elliott Goldenthal has been inspiring and informative, and the community vibe is so cool, especially from total strangers. Really appreciate it.” - Robert Berliner
“I am looking forward to Tuesdays at 6 pm! Thank you, Salastina! You enrich me so much. You bring such unique guests. Hope I can meet you in person in Fall. This Fall! Love to all of your team!” - Francine Cooper