Some Testimonials from Workshop
Participants and Event Attendees
Dear Brenda:
Thank you so much for all you did for our resident who attended your
writing workshop. Let the Dream Begin With Me was an amazing
opportunity for our residents to reflect on their hopes and dreams,
as well as their strengths and challenges. The time with you was very
therapeutic for them, as was shown in the work they generated. You
truly have a very magical and engaging spirit. We are fortunate that
you came to us!...
Shelter Director, WestHab, Inc.
"Let the Dream Begin with Me"
Westhab Shelter
Art & Literacy Project
...Brenda has been an Artist-in-Residence for three years. Her work with our middle
school students has been exemplary. Brenda has the ability to motivate
our students to produce writing that is engaging and creative. This
is a result of her excellent rapport with students and her outstanding
teaching skills.
Pierre VanCortlandt Middle School, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
...I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate
your dedication to the teens in your writer's workshop, particularly
Mary. When I signed her up in 8th grade for your workshop I thought
it would be a relief for a child frustrated from the test-driven English
curriculum at school and an opportunity for her to explore creative
writing. But it has been so much more to her. I thank you for being
a mentor - a role-model - and confidante - and I am extremely grateful
for the positive influence you have on her young life. Next year she
will be a senior in high school and I can't believe how quickly her
childhood and teenage years have gone by... Again, thank you.
Parent of teen participant, Hudson Valley Writers' Center, Creative Writing for Teens
...Brenda Connor-Bey was writer-in-residence at our
recent project, Mysteries Under the Canopy at Uriah Hill
Elementary School. She did a fantastic job with each and every one
of our fourth and fifth graders. If another project of this type were
to be done at our school Brenda Connor-Bey would be one of my first
choices to work on the project.
Uriah Hill Elementary School, Peekskill, NY
Our Inspiration You are a person who inspired me
A very nice and wonderful person
who helped me see
How to use poetry for expressing
my dreams
No matter how hard it may have
seemed
I wrote poetry about a special
person who made me laugh
and have fun
And I have to say thanks
You were the 1!
Students from Hawthorne Cedar Knolls High School
Brenda,
Was good to see and hear you last night. It was wonderful to view
the art through your interpretation. The audience was all turning
in their seats, looking and listening. They often had expressions
that told me that you words where opening their minds. That is good
writing.
Brenda, I am so glad that I was there last night. Your reading
was wonderful and you looked so beautiful... the wife's readings and
her grace, the interpretation of Grey's work by so many writers and
the closing with the veteran pulled it all together. So glad to have
you as a friend and colleague - such honorable work. Bravo...
Attendees at Threnody: A Literary Celebration at the Neuberger Museum of Art
