What Our Friends Say

Natalie

Music is a privilege to study. It opens a world of beauty that can blow us away. I have always loved music - from playing piano for around 15 years, minoring in music in college and now pursuing composition. Being part of NHME was part of my journey in appreciating music and opening my eyes (and ears) to the beauty that can be created. There is truly nothing quite like being part of something bigger than yourself, in being part of an ensemble, band or orchestra. When all the various instrumental parts and pieces fit together in a glorious melody, it is truly spectacular and the joy and thrill is real. What an honor it is to be part of something so beautiful! Any music student will know that music can be hard and very challenging. Yet it produces such wonderful fruit! NHME provides a safe and encouraging space for any aspiring musician to explore music, develop and foster musical gifts and have fun along the way. Thank you for making the world a brighter place with the music you bring. Keep up the good work!


Kinneret

NHME taught me how much I love ensemble playing by being a place where the teachers were incredibly knowledgeable and encouraging, competition was healthy and not divisive, and the community was incredibly close-knit. In my nine years of being in NHME, I learned an incredible amount about music on various instruments, became more confident in myself, and met people who are now among my closest friends. NHME has a lot to offer to any homeschooler who thinks it might be cool to learn and make music with others, and I strongly recommend joining! NHME helped make me into the musician and person I am today, and I will always be grateful for that.


Courtney

After having been with NHME for 3 years, my music skills and knowledge have grown drastically. I have always enjoyed music and learning new instruments, but I wasn't able to actually put what I learned into practice until I came to NHME. I started knowing only a little of a few instruments and now I am now starting on my sixth instrument. It is so great playing so many breathtaking songs with the band that I would never have been able to play otherwise.


Joanna

Six years of being a part of NHME taught me many things about playing music and working with a group of talented musicians. The legacy that Mr. Doby instilled in each of us and in the whole program inspired me to pursue my interests in music, both during the weekly practices and in my own time at home. I learned to play the flute and the cello with NHME. Learning these two instruments in a group environment increased my musical knowledge tenfold. Having played the piano for many years before starting these instruments, the combined knowledge enabled me to accompany and direct several choirs. The experience that I gained playing with NHME contributed to my decision to take up teaching music. Currently, I teach almost twenty students ranging in age from three to fourteen. Music has always been a part of my life, and NHME played a valuable role in growing my love of this art.


Catherine

As a homeschooler, finding a community can be difficult. However, NHME provides a place where homeschoolers of all ages can come together to play music in an environment that encourages students and meets them right where they are. During my eight years in NHME, I not only learned how to read music and play multiple instruments, but I also grew in confidence and forged strong friendships with the other musicians. I also had the opportunity to play alongside and learn from professional musicians during joint concerts and music camps. Playing with NHME taught me that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you keep going and don’t let them weigh you down. It provided an environment where I was free to be myself, to be creative, to grow as a musician and as a person, and to feel supported by my instructors and fellow musicians. The skills I learned and the friendships I made in NHME are an invaluable part of who I am today. Studying music has been one of the best experiences of my life, and NHME was a fundamental part of that experience.


Anders

…my experience with NHME has been very positive. I have been playing the euphonium in the band for five years now, and I have benefited greatly. This group excels at bringing up beginners. The band has taken me on a few trips to Mackinaw City to play with one of the high level bands there. On these trips, I enjoyed myself greatly. We have also gone to Honors Band and that too was a lot of fun. […] The band provides a friendly environment that will make anyone feel welcome.


Rachel

Being a musician is such an amazing part of my life. When Mr Doby handed me a viola 10 years ago, I knew right away that I wanted to go places with it. Playing with NHME was so much fun, and it was such a great opportunity for my brothers and I. Studying music over the years has been a great experience, and I’m so thankful that I was given the opportunity. They say do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. So far, that’s proved true for me. Studying music and playing in a full orchestra in college was honestly a ton of fun. I just received my bachelor’s degree in music from Eastern Michigan University, and I’m currently teaching private violin and viola lessons. I wouldn’t be where I am without NHME, and I hope that other young people get the opportunity to explore what they love!


Elena

Hi! I’m eleven years old, and I’ve played flute for three years. I enjoy band, but sometimes I think we need some change. […] We play lots of interesting music. Band has helped me learn how to read music. That helps with playing piano. I play piccolo every week. The thing that I like about band is there is a percussion group. I get to bang and tap different percussion instruments. I really enjoy band (most of the time), and I will probably do it for a long time!


Spencer

I’ve played the trumpet in NHME for the past seven years. When I joined as a 9-year-old, I was naturally a bit intimidated sitting next to musicians 4 or 5 years older than I, but the opportunity to play next to more advanced musicians helped me to improve at a much greater pace than I otherwise would have. Now, seven years later, I am the ‘more experienced player’ to those new members of the band, and I can help them learn as I once did.


"We often give our kids music lessons as an enrichment experience or as an extra-curricular activity; to our kids, music becomes essential to who they are and to whom they will become." -K.

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