24 Jan SAN ANDREAS HIGH SCHOOL

May 27, 1997

SAN ANDREAS HIGH SCHOOL
LARKSPUR, CA 94939
415 945-3770

Dear Christopher,

I am writing you on behalf of my students and myself to express our deepest appreciation for your wonderful contributions to our World Cultures class on May 19, 1997 on the music, culture and many moods of India. My students were captivated by your performances on sarod and tabla, and they felt they learned so much from you. Your questions enabled students to go inward and be reflective in ways that I’ve rarely seen since I started teaching back in 1967. Indeed, on your departure you left everyone wanting more. The following are direct quotes from students regarding your visit:

“I learned more about things that matter to me during that one class session with Christopher Ris than I have during three years of high school!”

“Please, please, please bring Christopher back again.”

“Christopher is one of the few people who helped me look at my real feelings, and he wasn’t even trying to deliberately do that.”

“I love that guy’s (Christopher’s) music. It’s the first time I ever heard tabla and sarod, and it really took me out.”

“It was so cool the way Christopher involved us and also weaved together music, history, culture and Eastern religions that made it alive for me.”

Ris’s music was absolutely beautiful!”

“It was a privilege to learn from Mr. Ris.”

“How soon can we get Mr. Ris back again?”

“I was surprised that I was so touched by his music and his presence.”

“What a fabulous way to learn!”

“I like how the sarod can be beautiful, sad, scary and mystifying. The music speaks.”

“That was the best way to learn!”

The above quotes were only a sample of the many positive statements from the students who attended your superb presentation. I, too, was inspired by your music and discussions with students. In fact, I am motivated to develop an entirely new unit and approach to our study of Asia. It will hopefully speak more to the students’ own lives in ways that you did. Christopher, I sincerely hope that many other schools will request your presence. You provide an invaluable educational experience, which reaches all ages. Again, we are so grateful for what you brought to us.
Sincerely,

Jim Rice Social Studies Dept. Chairman, School Counselor