Spending a week at the midwest NHICS was the best thing I did for myself to learn the concertina. Yes, it was intense and challenging but also incredibly fun and rewarding. I knew how to read music, but had no idea of Noel's preferred fingering for the scales or how to transfer what I was seeing to the buttons on my concertina. Even after the first day -- wow what an improvement. Tunes that looks impossible can now be played. Also, the benefit of being around so many fine people enthusiastic about every aspect of concertinas cannot be overestimated. I'm really looking forward to attending next summer .
        –Betty Book, Rochester, Minnesota, USA, 2003

I want to say: after attending Noel's workshop in Ohio for the first time this year, it was well worth the time and energy. I received more information than expected and music to keep me going until next year.
        –Jeremy Blackburn, 2003

Of course, the time, the place, the whole atmosphere, your music, the
classes, the practicing, the socializing and just everything about those days together were magic! I don't know when I've enjoyed myself more. I will never forget that part, but it is the learning that is most important. Some of the things that you taught me or that changed my playing in some way:

1. Holding my concertina for better bellows management, a fuller sound and better instrument control.
2. If possible, I enjoy playing even more that before I went.
3. The A scale is slow but coming along. The G and C are getting pretty fast. I practice these scales as a warm up each day when I practice.
4. I've been working on two new tunes (not from your workshop) both in D and when I worked them out made sure that I kept to the arrangement in the scale as you gave it to us. They did work out quite smoothly which validates your system for me.
5. You gave us beginners a start on using ornamentation. I wish I knew more about the various types and when to use them.
6. Using your technique for playing double notes is very useful and produces a different sound and feel.
7. The tunes you gave us are beautiful and I still enjoy playing them.
   

You were a hard task-master, always chasing us back to our practicing. But no one was fooled because your warmth and dedication to teaching came right through.
        –Jeanne Greenfield, 2002