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Testimonials:

Our students report on their time in San Miguel

Thanks again for one of the most amazing weeks of my life. It was fabulous and I think about all that I learned and the great fun I had.

Elizabeth

As far as the time I had with you in Mexico, it was amazing. A year later and I am still working off of the foundation you set. The one-on-one is unique from the other camps. Your knowledge of the guitar and the way you share your knowledge is as good as I've seen.

Jennifer

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Thank you, Jack and Frances, for all the time and thoughtfulness that you put into my lessons and our times out together in San Miguel. It was a difficult week for me, but a good one. I actually had a breakthrough on the guitar last night and sounded pretty good. When I count out songs from now on, I will always think of you and the 2 hours it took me to count out "4 & a 1 - hammer on." I will put your lessons to good use and let you know my progress.

Love you both - Scott

En mi séptimo viaje a San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, este invierno (enero 08), he encontrado en la experiencia más maravillosa que he recibido es una flauta improvisación lección de maestro de la guitarra cuyo nombre es Jack de Guitar Vacation Retreats. Su conocimiento de la música es increíble. Mi lección diaria de dos semanas eran comparables a una lección de todo el año. Yo le recomendaría a nadie que desea aprender música de la calidad de cualquier tipo de instrumento. Naturalmente, voy a su clase el próximo invierno.

Chizuko

So I just wanted to say thanks again, It was quite a memorable week and your words continue to play in my head during practice.

I guess I mentioned the difference that the metronome makes! I use it for about 2 hours, and continue to pay attention to the 1/8's and 1/4 dots.

Sincerely, Roberto

. . . I just want to let you that my playing took another leap in the time I got back (I know you didn't even get to hear me pre-leap) — inspired by my time with the two of you. Thanks so much. It was an invaluable and immensely enriching experience.

Derek

It is nice to be back here at home. but I do miss San Miguel a lot. That is really a very magical place, with an interesting mix of some very special people. I think I can go as far as to say that my one week in San Miguel was a life-changing experience. I learned many new things about my capabilities (music-wise, language-wise and culture-wise) and this opens up many new possibilities for me personally. I feel deeply fortunate to have had the good timing at this point in my life to decide to seek out this experience and then, fortunately, happening upon you and Frances offering these precious gifts in a setting that is like something out of a dream or a romance novel. You (Jack and Frances) generously welcomed me into your lives and you were very attuned to my current level of musicianship and the direction I am reaching for. You very quickly devised music studies well-suited to my capabilities, which I believe will bear fruit for me personally for a long time to come. You attentively and tirelessly shared your many insights, seemingly just at the right time and in a way that I could grasp. You were fully engaged for each and every moment of our work together and I very much appreciate your endless patience. I am deeply grateful.

Doug

Late January 2007. I spent last week eating glorious breakfasts, viewing mexican folk art, studying classical guitar and listening to colorful flamenco music in San Miguel de Allende ... My days were spent studying guitar (along with classmate John, from Fairbanks, Alaska) with gurus, Jack and Frances... During the afternoons I walked along the narrow cobblestone streets taking pictures, looking through galleries and enjoying the slow pace of life that San Miguel offers. Most evenings were spent listening to live guitar ensembles. One night at a fiesta hosted by Jack and Frances, I even got to jam with some dead heads from the bay area. Thanks Jack and Frances for a magical week I will not soon forget.

Jeff

. . . I will never forget the time and patience that you two spent with me. You both have inspired me to try and practice more inspite of my busy schedule. There is no question that I will want to come back again to take more lessons with the two of you wherever you may find yourselves in the future (as long as it isn't Timbuktoo).

I would be very grateful for any of your arrangements. As I said before, I'd rather study your arrangements than my classical pieces anyday.

Randy

Hi Jack and Frances,
Hope all is well with you guys. I've been practicing a bit. No where near as much as I'd like to, but I'll catch up in the winter. I've actually been listening to your CD non stop the last week and it really inspires me to pick up the guitar. It really sounds beautiful.
. . . I had a great week week with you guys. It's amazing how much it's helped my playing. I definitely plan on returning.
. . . I can't think of anyway to have improved our week together. I have a lot of musical seeds now germinating in my mind. It's really great to now understand things you told me even months later. . . .

Bob

Hey Jack and Frances!
I had a blast with you guys down in San Miguel. I really enjoyed seeing you guys play and learning from you. I am applying some classical and jazz theory to my electric guitar playing. My playing has improved so much and it couldn't have been possible without you. All my friends think it's cool that I have my own CD and they all agree that the song is pretty catchy. If you ever need a satisfied customer blurb to go on your website, I would be more than happy to do that for you. Just let me know. Ha.
Keep up the good work,

Drew

. . . I was happy with the amount of instruction. A week passes quickly and as much as I would have liked to return to San Francisco a world class guitarist, I realize that what I could learn was limited. I did wish, when I was in San Miguel, that I had more time for guitar practice but San Miguel was outside my window, at all times beckoning me to explore its streets . . . What stayed with me was how magical, inspirational it was to be in San Miguel learning the guitar. I had a super time and I learned a lot . . . I liked the binder, the handouts, the music sheets. But more than anything, I like the inspiration: you guys inspired me to love the guitar even more than I did! . . . I absolutely would recommend a Guitar Vacation Retreat to my friends, and you are free to use me as a reference.

John

Hey y'all!
I also had a blast with you this August - it was the perfect level of instruction for what I wanted . . . When we return to SMA I'll definitely want to take up where we left off :)

Gary

Jack and Frances:
I appreciate the valuable insight you showed me with the chord melody work. I have incorporated the CAGED forms into my practice routine . . . I ordered the book you recommended and look forward to working with it.

Darrell

. . . Needing to take the next step from intermediate to advanced, I was ready to leave notation on the back burner and study chord theory. This avenue of study has opened up a new world, one I never thought I would enter. Notation had become my security blanket . . . Don't get me wrong, I will never forsake notation, there are too many wonderful arrangements . . . I am slowly losing my dependence on notation. I am having a lot of fun with chords. I'm no longer restricted to playing music solely arranged for guitar. I can now use all those wonderful piano books with their harmonic chordal arrangements. Discovering the melody within the chord is a great reward. Who knows, the next step might be improvisation. Chords are still a foreign language, but everything is starting to come together. My infatuation with the guitar has reached another level . . . I also learned the trick for making harmonics anywhere on the neck. For me, this technique was in the realm of magic. Now, I know the magic. For a number of years, I have been looking for a guitar instructor that I would be able to study under for many years to come. I hit the jackpot. . .

Hermie

Last page update 06-23-08