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ROBERT BRUCE

testimonials

The tonal tranquility and spirituality of this collection of compositions has proven to be an invaluable asset to my Holistic offerings available to the public. There is an inherent therapeutic ambiance to the music. I have recommended this CD to Doctors, Massage Therapists, Reiki Instructors and individuals who require mind/body support. I receive consistent affirmation from those who listen and discover profound emotional connections to the music. This unique listening experience possesses a superior quality that transcends the definition of musical therapy. - Nancy Winlove, Herbal Technician, Contemporary Medical Acupuncturist, IIPA, Winlove's Complementary, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Robert is gifted in creating a musicscape where there is space for a person`s psyche to be stirred, touched, inspired, but never intruded upon. Ultimately it helps lead us back to the core of our being. - Maureen Corcoran, Yoga Instructor

“I am self-employed in a very high stressed occupation. Quite few times when I would be visiting Brenda's office she would have your CD on and I asker her about it. I felt an immediate calm come over me and the music seemed to take me back to another place and time. During the course of a stressful day I put your Eden CD on and it truly has a therapeutic and calming effect on me. The world seems like a peaceful place and troubles seem far, far away.” H.K.

Robert Bruce's music colours a very personal landscape in the listener. The surprise comes when the listener is confronted with the candid nature of the works resonating on their emotions. His music gives you a safe forum to discuss, challenges you to face, and smoothes the frayed edges of your personal issues. S.H.

"What a beautiful surprise your music was! The emotions you are presenting in your songs were almost touchable, all around me and inside me! What a beautiful feeling to lose yourself in such serene music!" - T.V.

"Your CD arrived today so your music was my companion while having supper.  The music is the kind that requires stillness to allow for reflection. It's not the kind to be played while doing other things.

"It is capable of pulling the emotions, gently, tenderly, carefully, upwards to smooth out the frayed edges.  At certain times and with some people it could even dig deep and draw up sadness and tears to allow the sadness to be displayed for a few moments to begin the healing.  One has to have been at or near the bottom to understand the seductive power this kind of music has to heal - the composer to give, the musician to convey, and the listener to receive and comprehend.  The circle completes itself when the composer sees the positive effects of his music on the listener.  The listener thus becomes the giver." - B.L.

”Your music is very inspirational and I found myself visualizing different scenarios depending upon the emotion I felt from the piece...” - S.K.,

”Just a short note to let you know how deeply your music touched me.  It took me on a journey through the elements of life, love, loss and birth that contribute to who I am today.” - B.L.

”I just thought you might like to know that the ladies who attended your concert just after the death of a friend told me recently that they derived great peace and comfort from your music.” - M.R.

”I listened to your CD and I LOVE it.  I found I went to a very introspective place.  I didn't know what would come up.  I just let my body respond with where I was at.  With each piece and each re-hearing, my response was somewhat different, though there was an underlying introspective theme throughout it.

”One thing that struck me is your music feels very healing to me.  I felt like my soul was being asked to tell its story.  It's a story I don't have words for.  I can only feel it.  And what comes may be very different from what's in my head.  Sometimes joy and ecstasy, other times pain and hurt. It's below everyday emotion, it's a place inside that has something deeper to say.  Paradoxically I find joy through this when I actually feel.  It's a challenge, too, to feel, to allow it, to risk it.

”Your music was really resonating with me.  I felt like I had this invitation to go deep inside and it was safe to access whatever might be there.  I had a sense that if I kept working with your music, I could go more inside and feel more of what's there in some of the closed places. It's so easy to go through life and ignore those places.  Thank you for sharing your music with me.”  - C.L.

“I played your CD this evening, and was overwhelmed with your artistry and the sound of your music - it was so wonderful! It's really nice to be transported by such creativity. Your music is very calming; and I felt like it was talking to me, a listener - the repeating notes sound like they're asking for the listener's attention and focus. I appreciate this CD so much." – A.D.

”I was impressed with the way Mr Bruce adapted his talk and went with the flow of questions from the students.  It is always difficult to talk about such abstract things as motivation and inspiration.  He seemed to handle these issues with ease.  It is apparent that he is a motivated and inspired composer.

”While younger students like to think about concrete things, Mr Bruce was able to capture an element of interest in the creative side of the art of music.  When he played some of his compositions, you could have heard a pin drop.  The application of his beliefs to the actual performance made his ideas stand out clearly to his student audience.

”His music is unique, sensitive and artistic.  His presentation was well suited to the experienced audience before him.” - Russ Weil, Head of Music, Westmount High School, Hamilton, Ontario

What did you enjoy about today's masterclass? 

”I really liked all the music that Mr Bruce played and composed.  It really had a lot of feeling to it and was very interesting and helpful to us!  He gave us lots of tips on what to write when we compose.  I loved his playing.  Usually when I'm listening to a pianist play, it seems really boring but his music really captured me and I didn't look away from the piano once.  His music was so, so good.” 

How will you use what you have learned from the masterclass? 

”I will use the information that Mr Bruce taught us to help when I sit and make-up things on the piano and also when I practice.  The thing when you close your eyes and feel the music come to you should really be helpful when I learn and practice music.”

What would you have changed in the masterclass? 

”I would have made the masterclass a lot longer and I would have had Mr Bruce play more of his music and explain how he felt about these pieces.”  

Other things you want to say.  

”I think that this was the best masterclass ever and it would be really, really cool if he could come back again.” - grade 7 Student, Rogers School for the Arts, Pittsburgh, PA

”The sessions were informative, entertaining and inspirational for young musicians.  Mr Bruce's easy-going manner allowed the students to relax and he encouraged an open exchange of ideas.  He presented his “personal music story” which is unconventional but highly successful.  Many students were inspired by his personal and professional accomplishments.  His presentation is suitable for senior high school students who would enjoy the alternative approach to music-making and the forum for discussion.” - Cindi Johnston-Turner, B. Mus., B. Ed., M. Ed.  Head of Music, Parkside High School, Dundas, Ontario  

“There were many favorable comments in the days that followed (your masterclass.)  Many told me they were impressed by your honesty and your respect for their thoughts about music.  You engaged us in a fascinating dialogue throughout your presentation and brought into focus the importance of self-acceptance as the beginning impetus for any creative activity.”    - Music Faculty of Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario

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