REVIEWS

I gotta toot my own horn AGAIN!!! I am, as far as I know the first musician/artist (in the U.S. or in Mexico) using my type of musical instruments or any other instruments for that matter, to encourage an audience, especially youth to utilize high tech communication with a musician/artist. Here is small sample of the emails I received from friends recently. Why do I take my time for this? Because when I was growing up I remembered how I would go backstage all happy bceause I had a chance to speak to the musicians and some would act like they didn't have time or didn't care, so, I decided that I would always make time for everybody. I encourage teachers at schools everywhere to get their classes to excercise their writing skills, express themselves, ask questions and to have their kids use the computer because it's the tool of the future. At the same time you can write to an artist who cares and I answer ALL emails from friends. Thanks to all my princesses, pumpkins, compitas and other homies!

Sincerely,

Martin

2003: Lynn Kleiner at Music Rhapsody, Remo Clinician & Orff Specialist
Martin Espino has been an inspiration to the students at Music Rhapsody's Summer Music Day Camp since 1988! As a performer, he is an excellent musician who is so versatile with so many instruments and styles of playing. He makes historical perspectives on instruments and cultures fascinating to his audiences. As an instrument maker, he shines as an artist. Not only do the instruments sound incredible, but, they are truly beautiful works of art. As a teacher, he connects so quickly and in such a powerful way with his students. He not only teaches them about music, sound, nature, culture and art, but, teaches them about themselves, inspiring them to strive to do their best, and to look for beauty in life. Time with Martin is a unique experience for anyone. One that changes your perspective on life!

2003 IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION
The response to your presentation (Iowa Public Television) has been tremendous! We already have 424 students registered! Sincerely Michelle @ IPT
MARTIN Comments:
IPT has sites statewide, I was told that I “broke new ground” because High Schools have not ever used the IPT. Somehow, since I was presenting assemblies for two local high schools’ Spanish classes, the director, who also runs IPT helped spread interest. I had 19 schools statewide viewing my performance on “El Dia De Los Muertos and Prehispanic Culture” and asking me questions via their network.

2003 FAMILY PARTY
You have such a special gift of engaging people of all ages. There were children there as young as 4 months to my grandmother who is 97. Everyone enjoyed your performance. Sincerely The Melendez Family
MARTIN Comments:
This was just an ordinary family (Mexican/Yugoslavian)who called me for their child’s first birthday, who told me that they wanted me to interact with the entire family! The most interesting parts were when I had All ages up there playing and the other part was a song where I had about 7 pregnant mothers playing my instruments. This gig was a very intriguing challenge and it worked!

2003 MOM COMMENTS:
Your creation and use of the multitude of indigenous handmade musical instruments turned what could have been an informative yet expected day camp in the local mountains into a fabulous hour of joy, mystery and sheer intrigue! More than that, you were able to further the children's lessons in ecology, resourcefulness and imagination! Wow! Sincerely, Leslie
MARTIN Comments:
What I always say “that’s why they calls the man”

21 emails from 40 kids in Napa Elementary, Reseda, CA (2 assemblies)

"We are happy that you came, we are proud of you" - Andrea & Carmen

"We had a lot of fun with your songs and we saw a lot of fun things" - Joan & Lupe

"My school was so happy, my class was so happy" - Astrid & Gabriela

"We hope you keep on singing" - Kathy & María

"We liked the sound of the big from the sea snail and we also liked the water drum" - Edgar & Santiago

"We would like it if you came again" - Olegario & Rafael

"We loved your show because we played with animals that made music. We would welcome you to our school anytime you want" - Roxana & Cindy

"We loved the last song you did with the teachers" - Eric & Raul

"Your show was funny and cool" - Alex and Gustavo

Foothill Elem, Corona, CA

"I like the way you don't waste anything when you make instruments" - Angie

"You are also pretty funny hahahahahahaa" - Joanna

Delano Elementary, Albany Elementary, Valle Vista Elementary, Delano, CA

(22 performances at 10 schools in 6 days) Only 2 emails? Oh well!

"When you to Albany Park, I really liked you being there. I liked the way you made the sounds" - Maria

"I want to tell you what a fantastic show that was you put on last week. I loved the way you involved the student and the teachers and I loved your personality" - Rhonda

"Hey we really liked your performance" - Valle Vista Elem.

2002 CARSON HIGH SCHOOL:
Hi! My name is Kristy Jimenez. I am the High Schools’ art teacher. My class had the fortune to attend your performance. On behalf of my students and myself, we want to let you know you made a positive and inspirational impact on us all. We feel honored to have experienced and participated in an art form that, as we learned, finds root in all our cultural identities. We all would like to thank you for sharing your knowledge of ancient music. You are an incredibly talented artist. The passion for what you do is motivational to all ages. Thanks again, Kristy Jimenez and class

"Best assembly we ever had" - Sharo, assembly coordinator

Cabrillo School, Pacifica, CA

"I would like to compliment your music because I really enjoyed the variety of instruments you had. I also envied the way you played your instruments with such spirit and heart. Your music was so cool and I enjoyed being part of audience and your touch of humor that you added to the performance" - Miranda, 5th grade

"Do you know you taught me something? You taught me that people don't have to make instruments for you, you can find stuff and make your own instrument. My friend and I are trying to make our own instruments" - Elise, 5th grade

"It is me, one of your musicians, you picked me to play the rattle. I think it is very thoughtful that you go to schools to share your wonderful talent..." - Alexia, 5th grade

"I liked how you used the natural materials of animals instead of throwing them away" - Katie

"I liked your show and all your strange instruments and how you used recycleables from animals....My dad grows those seeds that make the maracas you had... When I got home I went straight to your website, that was great" - Victoria, 5th grade

"How many instruments do you have again?" - Lenny & Tyler grade?

"Wazzzzzzzzzup homie?" - Jer, 5th grade

"Wassssup Martin? You are a good musician, you taught me how (natural) recycleables can be made into instruments" - Ryan, 5th grade

Antelope School, Littlerock, CA

A mother writes: (My son) "...absolutely loves you! He wants to be musician just like you when he grows up, I try to encourage him as much as possible...take care and thanks for being an inspiration to him"

Ramon Graza Elem, Bakersfield, CA

"My favorite part was when you sounded like a Jaguar" - Viteana "I liked the bamboo drums the best" - Martina

Unknown

"Martin you are so cool and funny" - Luis

Quail Botanical Gardens, Encinitas, CA-8 short shows a day for 3 days!!!

"I appreciated your patience with the kids" - John & Monica, teachers

"...colorful and informative.." - Twila, a mom in attendance

Here's a short sample of what 1st graders wrote to me back in 2000 after about three months of Residency/Workshops at

Live Oak Elementary, Lake Castaic, CA

"I don't know who more fun, me or my students" Mrs. M

"I felt fortunate to attend all three workshops with my son's class. It was interesting to learn about the indigenous music of the Americas and a priviledge to play on your beautiful instruments" - Linda, PTA President

"The music made me happy" Tamara (Later, I played at her birthday party because she told her mom that she wanted to have me at her birthday)

"I loved the water drums" - Lindsey

"Thank you helping us make our flutes" - Cinthiya

"I liked playing the rain stick and frog sounds" - Alina

"You are a smart and good teacher" - Deanna

"I wish I could be your sister because you are nice" - Anayeli

"My favorite part was when I played the turtle shells. I liked making the flutes" - Vicente

"My favorite part was closing our eyes and pretending we were in a rain forest " - Kendall

"I loved the Jaguar" - Tyler

"Here Martin this is yours, Jaguars make me proud, Martin I liked your music. Martin you are a good music maker" - Gregory

"I want to tell how I felt when you came, I felt the wilderness, I felt chills, that's how I felt about the music" - Stevie

"Martin's music is like the rain forest" - Austin

EN ESPANOL

"Ese Martin...." Compa Chuy

"Ay, que bueno...te quiero tanto!!!" Salma Hayek

"Nos encanta el don Martin" Thalia, Shakira, Paulina Rubio y Alicia Villareal

"Martin, eres el compita mas loco de la sierra oiga" Chalino Sanchez

"Compra el CD de Martin!" Compa Edward James Olmos

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" Los Jaguares

"Aqui es tu casa..." - Don Fernando, el gran flautista Maya-Chontal y conservador de la musica indigena Tabasquena; Locutores de Radio Tabasco; Television Tabasco(Hola TVT y Revista de Hoy); Gabriela de la Galeria Mukul Ja; Los chavos del grupo de roc "Raza Humana"; Don Enrique y Don Hernan Alavos, Folkloristas Tabasquenos y los ninos y adultos de la comunidad indigena (Maya Chontal) de Xocoal en San Tamulte de Las Sabanas, Tabasco, Mexico y mi gran amiga y companera, "La Choquita Marielita".

"Desde tu pagina te envio un gran saludo! Reconoces el gran valor de la musica prehispanica y tu paciencia para con los ninos..." - Centli, Danzante Azteca de D.F., Mexico

"Escribeme, te imagino con mucho trabajo, a lo menos da un senal de vida" - Rebeca, del grupo Raices, Queretaro, Mex.

"Te vas a gustar esta flauta Martin es muy....." Maestro Xavier Quijas Yxayotl

"Ay, te vimos en la television hoy dia, hehehe!" Las meseras del restaurante POLLO LOCO

"Cuando vas a regresar Martin?" Las voces de montones de ninos desde el norte de California hasta Chiapas, Mexico.