"Our acute kids usually share a common diagnosis of severe depression and are usually here because
they have tried to commit suicide. You were able to engage these very sad kids and give them a bright
spot / happy spot in their treatment. Most all of the kids were smiling and engaged for the entire hour -
and these are usually kids that simply don't smile. Your music and harmonica instruction gave that to
them. On Saturday, I noticed one of the patients that was carrying his harmonica around the campus with
him. He was talking about using the harmonica to calm himself down. It became a coping skill for him.
We would very much like to have a return visit at some time in the future."
Garry Wolfe
Director of Recreation Therapy, Children's Psychiatric Hospital, Albuquerque, NM

"We had Gary come to our camp held at Brookfield Farms. The camp is where burn survivor children
come to play with other scarred children without feeling self conscious about their scars. Gary’s
workshop was an awakening for the boys, girls, adults, and staff. The children sat on the grass in a circle,
listening to Gary and learning to play the harmonicas. Not only were the children entranced, so were the
adults. It was a beautiful coming together of kids that thought they could never do this. As heartwarming
as it was for the kids it was, also, equally beneficial for their self-esteem."
A. Richard Grossman, M.D.
Medical Director of the Grossman Burn Center

"You have a wonderful gift for teaching and interacting with children, making each and every one of them
feel very special. You made it simple, fun and were full of praise for them. We were all amazed at how
quickly the children picked up the songs. It was lovely watching them all so intent on learning to play the
songs, and your warm encouragement helped them all feel they would be successful. Several of the chil-
dren who took part in your class were playing their harmonica around the corridors for days after the ses-
sion, telling everyone they could now play the harmonica! The children were so proud of themselves.
Thanks also for being so generous with the harmonicas. Thanks again for your kindness, patience and
enthusiasm shown to our kids. I'm sure it's something they will never forget. We hope if you are ever in
Australia again, you will treat our patients to another session."
Debra Fowler
The Children's Hospital, Westmead, Australia