reviews
Of all the residencies I have booked for my schools, the finale of Garth's Residency was by far the most engaging and entertaining. The feedback from parents was incredible, some telling me that they had to add his music to their home Spotify account at their children's request. A clear indication of his impact was at our school dance a few weeks later when the students literally rushed the DJ when he began playing Garth's songs. They were singing along and doing all of the actions. It was great. Laurel McEwan, Principal, Mount Pleasant School Residency, Edmonton 2023
The positive impact that Garth Prince made on the students is evident, as students were singing and dancing to his song even a week after his visit! Garth's workshop was flexible and accommodating to our different students' class sizes and needs. His welcoming presence and energy kept the students engaged throughout their time with him. Students and staff enjoyed Garth's visit and hope to work with him again! Music Teacher, Prairie Sunrise School, Winnipeg 2023
I'm reaching out to you to let you know how much of an impact you had on my child. Last week you wrapped up your work with Westbrook School in an amazing concert. My son Sebastian is in grade one there right now. It is his first year there, and he has struggled to find his groove and settle into school. In the last few weeks, though, he has turned the corner and started to find things to enjoy. Your work with him and his class was part of this change. The concert was one of the first things he has been excited to talk about and share with us. Thank you for doing what you do. Parent, Westbrook School Residency 2023
Having Garth come to Abbott and share his musical expertise and personal experience was incredibly uplifting for our students, staff, and school community. Garth was welcoming, engaging, and adaptable to various skill levels, and it made a lasting impact on our students; they had so much fun, and many expressed how inspired they were by his performance. Students still come to my classroom singing his songs and practicing the dance moves he taught us! We need to give students more opportunities like this to meet professionals in their community and create lifelong connections, so I recommend bringing Garth Prince to any school looking to do the same. Mia Cooksey, Music Teacher (Abbott School, February 2023)
Garth's workshops were some of the best we've had here at Calder. He was very engaging and provided a variety of songs to teach, all at appropriate grade levels and ages. At the end of the day, kids were dancing and singing his songs in the hallway. We loved that he left time for questions at the end for the kids to learn about Namibia culture and music. Jessica Bartolotta, Music Teacher (Calder, February 2023)
Thank you again for coming to Delwood and working with some of our students. After you finished your presentation, students continued to sing your song and dance in our classroom. They asked if we could learn more African songs and words in your language. Your presentation touched many of our young students, and they were able to see themselves in you. From the smiles and laughter to the participation of students and staff, you have made your mark on these young minds. It was fun and uplifting, and you gave us all an opportunity to learn and have fun together, something our community needs to find again. Thank you! Sarah Kobialko, Grade 2 Teacher. (Delwood School, February 2023)
Having Garth visit our school for the day was an absolute pleasure. Even our hard-to-motivate students were on their feet dancing within a matter of minutes. Garth got full participation for the entire session. Our school has a large contingent of students of colour, and many are first-generation African immigrants. Garth discussed Namibia and how it differed from Alberta, Canada. He spoke about how it feels to make such a significant change in one's life which I am sure made all of our immigrant children feel more comfortable with the changes in their lives and the adaptations they have had to make. It also helps those students who are of Canadian heritage have more understanding of different cultures. Marcia Katzmar, Music Teacher. (Delwood School, February 2023)
Mr. Garth Prince’s keynote address to the participants of our 2023 PRAN (Partnership for Research with African Newcomers) Conference, ‘Leveraging our synergies: Cultural resilience in the diaspora’ was as riveting as it was memorable. He spoke as an artist; he also spoke from his heart - as a Black African immigrant who has first-hand knowledge about the realities of life in Canada for our diverse communities.
Through his personal struggles in his home country, Namibia, marked in many ways by South Africa’s apartheid that infested much of the region, to the challenges of finding community, rebuilding life, and establishing himself as an artist in Canada, Garth never lost his passion for music as a crucial medium that has sustained Black people’s resilience over centuries. In a new homeland where African art may not readily receive accolades, he has gone further to integrate into his music spaces for children to explore that world – away from the usually taken-for-granted assumptions. Garth’s work is inspirational and must be supported both for its contributions to knowledge about Africa and Black people, as well as for his painstaking efforts to ground our children in their diversecultural heritages. Dr. Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika, Professor of Development and Migration, University of Alberta, February 2023
The positive impact that Garth Prince made on the students is evident, as students were singing and dancing to his song even a week after his visit! Garth's workshop was flexible and accommodating to our different students' class sizes and needs. His welcoming presence and energy kept the students engaged throughout their time with him. Students and staff enjoyed Garth's visit and hope to work with him again! Music Teacher, Prairie Sunrise School, Winnipeg 2023
I'm reaching out to you to let you know how much of an impact you had on my child. Last week you wrapped up your work with Westbrook School in an amazing concert. My son Sebastian is in grade one there right now. It is his first year there, and he has struggled to find his groove and settle into school. In the last few weeks, though, he has turned the corner and started to find things to enjoy. Your work with him and his class was part of this change. The concert was one of the first things he has been excited to talk about and share with us. Thank you for doing what you do. Parent, Westbrook School Residency 2023
Having Garth come to Abbott and share his musical expertise and personal experience was incredibly uplifting for our students, staff, and school community. Garth was welcoming, engaging, and adaptable to various skill levels, and it made a lasting impact on our students; they had so much fun, and many expressed how inspired they were by his performance. Students still come to my classroom singing his songs and practicing the dance moves he taught us! We need to give students more opportunities like this to meet professionals in their community and create lifelong connections, so I recommend bringing Garth Prince to any school looking to do the same. Mia Cooksey, Music Teacher (Abbott School, February 2023)
Garth's workshops were some of the best we've had here at Calder. He was very engaging and provided a variety of songs to teach, all at appropriate grade levels and ages. At the end of the day, kids were dancing and singing his songs in the hallway. We loved that he left time for questions at the end for the kids to learn about Namibia culture and music. Jessica Bartolotta, Music Teacher (Calder, February 2023)
Thank you again for coming to Delwood and working with some of our students. After you finished your presentation, students continued to sing your song and dance in our classroom. They asked if we could learn more African songs and words in your language. Your presentation touched many of our young students, and they were able to see themselves in you. From the smiles and laughter to the participation of students and staff, you have made your mark on these young minds. It was fun and uplifting, and you gave us all an opportunity to learn and have fun together, something our community needs to find again. Thank you! Sarah Kobialko, Grade 2 Teacher. (Delwood School, February 2023)
Having Garth visit our school for the day was an absolute pleasure. Even our hard-to-motivate students were on their feet dancing within a matter of minutes. Garth got full participation for the entire session. Our school has a large contingent of students of colour, and many are first-generation African immigrants. Garth discussed Namibia and how it differed from Alberta, Canada. He spoke about how it feels to make such a significant change in one's life which I am sure made all of our immigrant children feel more comfortable with the changes in their lives and the adaptations they have had to make. It also helps those students who are of Canadian heritage have more understanding of different cultures. Marcia Katzmar, Music Teacher. (Delwood School, February 2023)
Mr. Garth Prince’s keynote address to the participants of our 2023 PRAN (Partnership for Research with African Newcomers) Conference, ‘Leveraging our synergies: Cultural resilience in the diaspora’ was as riveting as it was memorable. He spoke as an artist; he also spoke from his heart - as a Black African immigrant who has first-hand knowledge about the realities of life in Canada for our diverse communities.
Through his personal struggles in his home country, Namibia, marked in many ways by South Africa’s apartheid that infested much of the region, to the challenges of finding community, rebuilding life, and establishing himself as an artist in Canada, Garth never lost his passion for music as a crucial medium that has sustained Black people’s resilience over centuries. In a new homeland where African art may not readily receive accolades, he has gone further to integrate into his music spaces for children to explore that world – away from the usually taken-for-granted assumptions. Garth’s work is inspirational and must be supported both for its contributions to knowledge about Africa and Black people, as well as for his painstaking efforts to ground our children in their diversecultural heritages. Dr. Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika, Professor of Development and Migration, University of Alberta, February 2023