TESTIMONIALS
Singing and creating music is a gift. Learning how to use our gifts to share with others makes this world a brighter place. Teaching is an honor. I see the infinite value in every individual. Thank you for your testimonials! - Donna. Page last updated 02/26/2024.
ADULTS
Your first name, Town, State: Barbara, Marshfield, MA
I am the:: Student / Artist
Please check all that apply: Voice
Check all you feel apply. Instructor is: Professional and respectful, Kind and Positive, Knowledgeable. Got Results!
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: FIVE Stars - Awesome!
Would you recommend Donna?: Yes
Please describe your experience: I am the quintessential analytical Engineer with zero voice experience. Donna shares her musical knowledge and experience in a customized way so I can grasp the necessary concepts and advance my skill. In addition, her lessons are fun because we practice the songs of my favorite artists. Most importantly, as learning to sing is not easy and makes me feel extremely vulnerable, Donna is very nurturing and understanding as well as generous with her time. I'm grateful to Donna for helping me on my journey to develop my singing voice!
First name, State: Len Massachusetts
I am a: Student
I took guitar and/or voice lessons from Donna M A Harrington: YES
Who took lessons (First name and age), and how many years?: Len: Age 56
Areas of study : Guitar
Did you improve your skills and gain more self confidence?: YES
Did you perform live during or after working with Donna?: No
Did Donna teach you how to write your first song or two? Donna has been songwriting over 30 years and teaches songwriting. Donna loves to teach individuals of all ages how to write their own songs. : No. Not an interest of mine (yet...)
ONLY Music as a career / professional - Did you get any lead roles, get accepted into a competitive choir or school, or win any contests, awards or promotions while or after working with Donna?: N/A
ONLY Music as a career / professional - Do you feel that working with Donna helped you achieve those contests, awards, lead roles, promotions, etc..... Please describe below. Thank you!: N/A
How would you describe Donna to someone?: Encouraging and fun to work with
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: Five Stars - Awesome!
Did you enjoy working with Donna?: I LOVED IT !!!
Would you refer Donna to someone else?: YES
Feel free to write any additional comments and any suggestions!: I’m sure every person learning an instrument has their own struggles and challenges. My personal challenge was that I focused my first year on playing chords, and attempting to strum songs. The songs never sounded right, and my first inclination was to have Donna critique my playing and help me make the songs sound more interesting. She very quickly convinced me that the next thing I needed to do was to connect my playing with the words and voicing of the songs. I have no desire to sing, but realized that by playing while “singing” the words in my head, was the way for me to make my playing better. Donna got me away from counting beats, and repeating strumming patterns in my head. She got me over a hurdle that I may not have ever recognized, let alone solve.
Donna also helped me to learn to listen to songs for the “accents.” or chord changes. It really is amazing how many of the songs I downloaded (sheet music) had the accents over the wrong words in the lyrics. Once again, she helped me with something that I was really struggling with, that made my playing truly sound like music.
Donna is incredibly encouraging and patient. I really enjoy working with her, and I’m looking forward to her helping my overcome more challenges.
FIRST NAME, STATE YOU LIVE IN: Jeff, Massachusetts
I am a: Student
I took guitar and/or voice lessons from Donna M A Harrington: YES
Who took lessons (First name and age), and how many years?: Jeff, 1 year
Areas of study : Voice
Did you improve your skills and gain more self confidence?: YES
Did you perform live during or after working with Donna?: Yes
Did Donna teach you how to write your first song or two? Donna has been songwriting over 30 years and teaches songwriting. Donna loves to teach individuals of all ages how to write their own songs. : Just Voice
ONLY Music as a career / professional - Did you get any lead roles, get accepted into a competitive choir or school, or win any contests, awards or promotions while or after working with Donna?: Gigs
ONLY Music as a career / professional - Do you feel that working with Donna helped you achieve those contests, awards, lead roles, promotions, etc..... Please describe below. Thank you!: YES
How would you describe Donna to someone?: Optimistic, spiritual, kind, motivated, helpful, friendly, and professional
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: Five Stars - Awesome!
Did you enjoy working with Donna?: I LOVED IT !!!
Would you refer Donna to someone else?: YES
Feel free to write any additional comments and any suggestions!: I met Donna 6 years ago at a crossroad in my life....... been playing and singing backup for years and was totally afraid to sing in front of people......... lacked control in my voice, Donna sang with me, over me when I was too afraid to lead, twiggy me techniques, she set me free, I am a singer. I’ve gone on to gigging small bars to 3 to 400 outdoor events and bigger. Thank you Donna
PARENTS, KIDS AND TEENS
First Name, Town, State: Carrie, Duxbury
I am the: Parent
I study (choose all that apply):: Voice
Age student began lessons: 10
Improving skills and gaining more self confidence?: Yes
Donna is professional and knowledgeable. I get results! : Yes
Donna is kind, friendly, positive, and respectful.: Yes
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: FIVE Stars - Awesome!
Would you recommend Donna?: Yes
Please describe your experience to share with others! : Donna has a true passion and love for her students and her profession. I could sense this from the first time I spoke with her over the phone about voice lessons for my 10 year old daughter. She is so enthusiastic and has the most positive, fun, uplifting personality. My daughter thoroughly enjoys her voice lessons with Donna. She keeps the lessons fun and keeps students engaged. My daughter is becoming more confident in her singing and with Donna’s expertise. She is learning so much and realizing her full potential.
First Name, Town, State: Emily, Duxbury, MA
I am the: Parent
I study (choose all that apply):: Voice, Guitar, Songwriting
Age student began lessons: 10
Improving skills and gaining more self confidence?: Yes
Donna is professional and knowledgeable. I get results! : Yes
Donna is kind, friendly, positive, and respectful.: Yes
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: FIVE Stars - Awesome!
Would you recommend Donna?: Yes
Please describe your experience to share with others! : Donna is an exceptional teacher who makes learning music fun and approachable. She is dedicated to her craft and builds meaningful connections with her students and families. My daughter was initially interested in learning the guitar and while working with Donna, she has learned to play a new instrument while also uncovering a love for singing and songwriting. It has been so fun to see her enjoying something new and watching her confidence grow. Donna is a skilled professional, but it is her big heart and playful personality that keeps her lessons light and engaging. I love that she has introduced my daughter to a variety of genres outside of pop culture. With Donna, learning to play, sing, and write is never a chore. It’s a creative outlet that we embrace each week and have benefitted from as a family.
Parent Testimonial:
I am the: Parent
I study (choose all that apply):: Voice, Piano
Age student began lessons: Age 7
Improving skills and gaining more self confidence?: Yes
Donna is professional and knowledgeable. I get results! : Yes
Donna is kind, friendly, positive, and respectful.: Yes
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: FIVE Stars - Awesome!
Would you recommend Donna?: Yes
Please describe your experience: Donna goes above and beyond as a teacher. She has engaged my often distractible 7 year old by helping her learn songs she loves and also in writing her own song! Donna truly cares about her students and in seeing them achieve their goals.
Parent Testimonial:
Your First Name, Town, State: Lauren, Kingston, MA
I am the: Parent
Please check all that apply: Voice, Piano
Donna is professional and knowledgeable. I got results!: Yes
Donna is kind, friendly, positive, and respectful.: Yes
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: FIVE Stars - Awesome!
Would you recommend Donna?: Yes
Please describe your experience: Our experience with Donna was excellent! Her expertise in music is matched by her warm nature and enthusiasm towards teaching.
Student Testimonial:
FIRST NAME, STATE YOU LIVE IN: Cassidy, Massachusetts.
I am a: (pick one) Student, friend of student, parent, relative, husband, wife, or child of student, teacher, musician, worked with Donna, other...: Student
I took guitar and/or voice lessons from Donna M A Harrington: YES
Who took lessons (first name) and How many years?: I (Cassidy, age 18), have been taking lessons with Donna for about four years.
Areas of study : Voice
Did you improve your skills and gain more self confidence?: YES
Did you perform live during or after working with Donna?: Yes
Did Donna teach you how to write your first song or two? Donna has been songwriting over 30 years and teaches songwriting. Donna loves to teach individuals of all ages how to write their own songs. : Donna has looked at some songs that I have written and helped me a little bit with one of my songs and with how I should continue, however, our main focus was on voice instruction.
ONLY Music as a career / professional - Did you get any lead roles, get accepted into a competitive choir or school, or win any contests, awards or promotions while or after working with Donna?: Since starting voice lessons with Donna I have received lead roles in theater productions such as Martha in Heathers the Musical and Ethel in Footloose, and I was accepted into the Marshfield High School Marshal Airs at my school. I have also received music and theater awards since working with her. I received a $20,000 performing arts scholarship, and I would not have been able to achieve any of these things if I hadn't done voice lessons with Donna.
ONLY Music as a career / professional - Do you feel that working with Donna helped you achieve those contests, awards, lead roles, promotions, etc..... Please describe below. Thank you!: YES
How would you describe Donna to someone?: Donna is awesome! She loves to spread her joy and passion of music to everyone around her, and she is so caring and kind to everyone she meets. She is very funny and optimistic, and is one of the hardest working people I know! She is so talented and smart, and loves to help everyone reach their full potential. She is amazing, creative, unique, passionate, and a free spirit! Something that Donna has done for me that I don't think anyone else would do for me is she took the time to write me a letter of recommendation for college the night before it was due because one of my school teachers could not. Donna wrote an amazing letter and came over to my house at 10 pm to deliver it for me. This is the kind of person that Donna is, and I am so thankful that I found her as a voice teacher.
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: Five Stars - Awesome!
Did you enjoy working with Donna?: I LOVED IT !!!
Would you refer Donna to someone else?: YES
Feel free to write any additional comments and any suggestions!: I love working with Donna and I wouldn't want to work with anyone else. She has given me so much confidence and without her I wouldn't have gotten into the choir at my school or the leads in the musicals. I would recommend Donna to anyone in a heartbeat. She is so fun to be around, and is an awesome teacher and a great friend as well!
Parent Testimonial:
“Donna is a high positive energy person whom teaches and encourages her students with her entire soul. She co-creates a program with her students to empower them to design and excel with the approach that works best for her student. This is incredibly powerful for teen/adolescent students.”
Did you improve your skills and gain more self confidence?: YES
Did you perform live during or after working with Donna?: Yes
Did Donna teach you how to write your first song or two? Donna has been songwriting over 30 years and teaches songwriting. Donna loves to teach individuals of all ages how to write their own songs. : Yes
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: Five Stars - Awesome!
Did you enjoy working with Donna?: I LOVED IT !!!
Would you refer Donna to someone else?: YES
“We first met Donna when we moved to the area. My son had been taking guitar lessons for two years at our former home yet really did not have the skills to engage him. Previously, his other instructor seemed more interested in showing off that HE could play and not empowering my son to play. It was discouraging. When we met Donna, I had my ideas on how I wanted to structure my son's lessons. Donna acknowledged my suggestions, yet put my son in the drivers seat so that he would "own" his progress. Over the next four years, I watched as she transformed a shy boy into a performer who brings tears to my eyes. Music is so much more than a performance; Donna gave my son the gift of expression and release. In music, we find solace, expression, joy, creativity and serenity and Donna in her extremely unique way has crafted my son's development as a whole person.”
Denise, MA – Parent of Guitar and Voice student, 4 years. February 2018
Parent Testimonial:
“Donna is a person of highest integrity. She cares deeply for those she works with and even acquaintances, always seeing their gifts and goodness. She is open, honest, and trustworthy and fun to spend time with. Extremely talented and has put many years of hard work to continually improve. I have personally experienced incredible peace and comfort from Donna’s music.
Donna has the ability to transfer her talents to a mode of teaching which is not always the case for artists. She advocates for her students, and often sees their talent far beyond what they can do.” -Celeste, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
Parent Testimonial:
First Name, Town, State: Frank, Pembroke Ma
I am the: Parent
I studied: : Guitar
Age when student started: 14
Did you improve your skills and gain more self confidence?: Yes
Donna is professional and knowledgeable. I got results!: Yes
Donna is kind, friendly, positive, and respectful.: Yes
How would you rate Donna as an instructor?: FIVE Stars - Awesome!
Would you recommend Donna?: Yes
Please describe your experience: Donna was a great teacher and a very talented musician. She also has a very warm spirit and strong belief that shines through when she teaches. She was a wonderful person and it was a pleasure to meet and work with her.
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PROJECTS
"I’ve known Donna for over 10 years. She is a remarkably committed and loyal person who is indefatigable when it comes to helping others. She is widely gifted with a keen intellect and remarkable in reading and communicating with others.
Donna was a guitar and voice teacher and one of the conveners of the project. With an inventive spirit that began in believing all should have a chance to thrive in the spotlight Donna worked magic with our campers and volunteers.
I offer my highest recommendation of Donna Harrington."
-Ross Lilley, President and Founder AccessportAmerica
(“I had the honor to work as a voice and guitar instructor in 2005 on the Music To My Ears Project and Sport with AccessportAmerica in 2005, put together by family and friends in honor and memory of the late Timothy White, writer, and Editor and Chief of Billboard Magazine who always talked about teaching music to individuals with autism and other disabilities, such as visual impairment or blindness, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, down syndrome, and more. His family and friends told me he was an amazing person, and I wish I had the chance to meet him to tell him how the experience truly changed my life. It was one of the most inspirational and honorable experiences of my life. The legacy he left behind changed many lives and students who continued to study music, sing, play an instrument, and be more active to this day. I hope someday, there will be a special place where all individuals with challenges could go and have the time of their lives in a combination of music and sports, be treated with respect, and given real instruction that will show results and benefit lives.” ~ Donna Harrington)
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Some comments from book of reference letters received:
"Compassionate, talented, dependable...heart of gold"
"Polite, competent, and very generous with her skills"
"Excellent communication skills"
"Kind, sensitive, encouraging, knowledgeable"
"She is a joy and inspiration to all who know and have worked with her."
"Stellar character"
"Donna is a person of highest integrity."
"I LOVE working with Donna. I would recommend her without reservation as a music instructor."