REVIEWS/QUOTES



THEATER/COMPOSITION


The Time of Going Away (March 8 - April 12, 2003) - Composer
Three one-act plays
Presented by Ray Bradbury’s Pandemonium Theatre Company at
the Court Theatre, West Hollywood

REVIEW

Credit has to be given the excellent sound design by Dan O’Connell and Suzzy London and the wonderful original music by Sanya Shoilevska Henderson.
(Jenelle Riley, Backstage West, March 13, 2003, p.21)
QUOTE

Sanya, your music makes the show sing! Thank you!
(Charles Rome Smith, the director of the play)
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The October Country (May 31-June 28, 2003) - Composer
Three one-act plays
Presented by Ray Bradbury’s Pandemonium Theatre Company and
Theatre West, Hollywood

REVIEW

Here (in the play Cistern), Sanya Shoilevska Henderson’s original music comes alive.
(Sarika Chawla, Backstage West, June 19, 2003, p.14)

QUOTE

Dear Sanya, once again, you make... and bring... awesome music. Thanks for everything!
(Kathie Barnes, actress - Mrs. Tridden in The Jar)
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Drunk and in Charge of a Bicycle (January 24-February 28, 2004) - Composer
Two one-act plays
Presented by Ray Bradbury’s Pandemonium Theatre Company and
Theatre West, Hollywood

QUOTE

Sanya, beautiful music!
(David Evans Brandt, actor - Garrity)
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Next in Line (June 19-July 24, 2004) - Composer
Presented by Ray Bradbury’s Pandemonium Theatre Company and
Theatre West, Hollywood

QUOTE
Ah, the best music this side of Mexico!
(Dale Alan Cooke, Stage menagerie)
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PIANO PERFORMANCE

REVIEWS

Sanja Sojlevska vo prviot stav od Koncertot za pijano i orkestar vo D-dur od J. Hajdn prezentira tehnicka preciznost i cuvstvo za jasen stilski izraz.
Translation:
Sanya Shoilevska presented technical precision and a feeling for authentic stylistic expression in the first movement of the Concert for piano and orchestra in D Major by J. Haydn.
(Jane Kodzobasija, Nova Makedonija, June 26, 1979)
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Ovoj pat imavme sredba so nesomneniot talent na 18-godisnata pijanistka Sanja Sojlevska, sto predlozi prilicno teska programa, programa sto moze da respektira i poiskusni pijanisti... Taa, odlucno, cvrsto i samouvereno ja ispolni svojata zadaca, pokazuvajki suptilna muzikalnost, psihicka koncentracija i redok pijanisticki nerv.

Translation:
This time we had a chance to hear the truly talented 18 year pianist Sanya Shoilevska who performed rather difficult musical program, a program that would be of respect even for far more experienced pianists... She played energetically, vigorously, and with self-confidence showing subtle musicality, mental concentration and rare pianistic nerve.
(Vlado Cuckov, Vecer, June 17, 1982)
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Svestrana umetnica Sanja Sojlevska, muzikolog, pijanista, kompozitor muzike za scenu i misocki pisac, u svojim solo klavirskim tackama (M. Ravel: “Alborada del graciosos, C. Debussy: “Soiree in Granada”) pokazala je zavidno muziciranje... Kada govorimo o snazi mladih kreativnih licnosti-muzicara u nasoj sredini na ovom mestu posebno izdvajamo delovanje ove umetnice.

Translation:
The versatile artist, musicologist, pianist, composer and music writer, Sanya Shoilevska, in the pieces for solo piano (M. Ravel: “Alborada del graciosos, C. Debussy: “Soiree in Granada”) showed exceptional musicianship. When we talk about the strength of young creative people-musicians we especially emphasize the work of this artist.
(Bogdan Djakovic, Dnevnik, September 30, 1993, p. 14)

QUOTES

Dear Sanya, what a delight your beautiful performance last night. You are a true artist... Thank you for an outstanding musical treat - you are indeed the finest musician.
(Patty Wiggins, Professor Emerita, California State University at Los Angeles, Department of music, May 10, 2000, regarding the performance at MTAC Glendale Branch meeting)
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Sanya is a born musician. She possesses an excellent piano technique which along with her refined musicianship and wide knowledge of musical styles produce effects of utmost artistic beauty. The memory of her performance of Ravel's "Miroirs" still lingers in my mind after many years.
(Kemal Gekic, pianist, Professor at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, December 9, 2001)
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As a performing artist, Dr. Shoilevska sustains concentration, expression, and control. She invariably commands the attention of the listeners. Her beautiful recital of French piano music which I produced... in Los Angeles was a great success. recently, I enjoyed hearing her original incidental music in an Irish style when I attended one of Ray Bradbury plays in Los Angeles. It set the mood, character, and place perfectly.
(Deon Nielsen Price, D.M.A., pianist and composer, President of National Association of Composers and Professor Emerita at El Camino College, February 1, 2005)
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THEATER/PERFORMANCE

The Three Penny Opera (May 10-June 10, 2001) - Musical Director
Theatre West, Hollywood

REVIEWS

Sanya Henderson deserves praise for her musical supervision.
(Don Grigware, Valley Scene, June 1-14, 2001, p. 23)

Weill’s score is performed only on a solo piano by musical director Sanya Henderson... the music is the star of the evening and well worth a visit to Theatre West.
(Archie Rothman, NoHo, LA, June 2001, Vol. 3 No. 18)

Led by music director Sanya Henderson, who plays the entire score mightily on piano...
(Dany Margolies, Backstage West, May 16, 2001)

QUOTES

Sanya, there would be no Three Penny without you. Keep these coins to remember out grand times together. Love, Chuck
(Charles Rome Smith, the director of The Three Penny Opera)

Dear Sanya, it’s a pure delight working with you. Much love, Chris
(Christopher Thomas, actor - Tiger Brown)
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MUSICOLOGY

purchase Sanya's book here

Dear Sanya, my sincerest thanks and appreciation to you for your work which made the September conference such a success! Your paper on Alex North was excellent.
(Jeannie Pool, Executive Director of the Society for the Preservation of Film Music, today known as Film Music Society, January 9, 1996, regarding the lecture on Alex North’s score for “The Misfits” presented at UCLA as a part of the International Film Music Conference in September 1995)
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Dear Ms. Shoilevska, your analysis of the score to “The Misfits” was fascinating. You did a terrific job.
(Eduardo Ponsdomenech, composer and orchestrator, September 18, 1995)
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Dear Sanya, you are A REAL SCHOLAR... WITH SOUL!
(David Amram, composer, 1995)
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To the ever increasing number of students and devotees of film music around the world, Sanya Henderson has made a singular and invaluable contribution...
(John Williams, composer, 2003. From the Foreword to the book “Alex North, Film Composer”)
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Nobody, Sanya, dove deeper into the soul of Alex, not even I. You learned to interpret and understand his compassion for the common man, you dealt with his highs and lows, the whole register of an artist still not fully understood... I have the utmost respect for you. Thank you for all your hard work and love and devotion.
(Anna North, July, 2000, after getting the Ph.D. degree)
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Dearest Sanya, congratulation for a great job well done!!! Alex would be proud of you! So am I. Love, Anna.
(Anna North, 2003, after publishing the book “Alex North, Film Composer”)
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Praise to Sanya Henderson for recognizing and exploring Alex's contributions to the art of film music! 
(Anna North, February, 17, 2003) 
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Dr. Shoilevska exhibits a depth of musical knowledge and comprehension and an ability to analyze and interpret a musical composition. She wrote an in-depth analysis of my extended trio for violin, cello and piano, which was published in the Journal of the International League of Women Composers in October 1994 (it’s available on the internet at CulverCrest.com)... I was privileged to hear her lectures on the film music of Alex North and subsequently purchased her remarkable book, which has profoundly influenced my own composition for film.
(Deon Nielsen Price, D.M.A., pianist and composer, President of National Association of Composers and Professor Emerita at El Camino College, February 1, 2005)
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Dear Sanya: On behalf of the members and the Board of the Music Library Association, Southern California Chapter, I wish to heartily thanks you for your wonderful presentation at our annual Chapter meeting at the San Diego Public Library on October 30, 2004. Your presentation “The Use of Irish Songs and Dances in Alex North’s Score for The Dead” was extremely interesting and informative...
(Blair Whittington, Chair-Elect, Music Library Association, Southern California Chapter, December 16, 2004)
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Henderson's book is the first ever devoted to North's music, and she has clearly listened hard. Her scholarship is well nigh impeccable. And this bio, which she started the year after she came to America-1995, she's Macedonian-sets this famous unknown squarely in his time... The late great American composer Earle Brown once asked me how North "got so sophisticated, aware, and prescient." I'm not sure I came up with an answer. But Henderson's wonderful book goes a long way towards providing one.

If you would like to purchase Alex North, Film Composer by Sanya Shoilevska Henderson online, your resources include www.amazon.com, www.powells.com and www.mcfarlandpub.com.
(Excerpt from Michael McDonagh’s review of the book “Alex North, Film Composer.” To read the entire review go to alxnorthmusic.com)
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The book (Alex North, Film Composer) emerged out of a doctoral thesis by the author and is one of the most exhaustive tomes ever produced about a single film composer... I love this book-I’m proud to have it and it has already proven useful in researching the North scores... (Excerpt from the review by Lukas Kendall published in Film Score Magazine, Vol. 10, No. 2)
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TEACHING

In her coaching of pianists and chamber music ensembles, I have observed that she always has something of value to offer and is able immediately to communicate musical insights to the performers. She is a devoted teacher and is especially valuable due to her exceptional musical intelligence and knowledge of the repertoire.
(Deon Nielsen Price, D.M.A., pianist and composer, President of National Association of Composers and Professor Emerita at El Camino College, February 1, 2005)
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Sanya Shoilevska Henderson proved herself to be an excellent music teacher, possessing a caring and supportive attitude toward her students. Her previous working experience as a University professor of music history, theory and music appreciation, as well as her outstanding pianistic background, allowed her to teach a variety of classes in Los Angeles Yamaha Music School, as follows: individual and group piano classes of beginning, intermediate, and advanced level, music theory classes, keyboard classes, and ensemble classes. In addition, she was trained by the Yamaha Music Corporation to teach specialized group classes which require from the teacher highly developed organizational skills, and exceptional professional coordination. During these classes Ms. Henderson performed with ease numerous musical activities: from keyboard, rhythm, and harmony training, to sight-reading, solfeggio, and expressive singing with an accompaniment on electric organ or Yamaha’s Clavinova. Her classes were always creative, prepared, and well organized. The students followed her classes with joy, attention, and affection, regularly presenting their achievements at the school recitals. Due to her love for music, devotion to her profession, great communication skills, and charming personality, Ms. Henderson was able to establish an excellent report and contact with her students, whether children or adults (the age of our students range from 3 to 60+). The most important is that she nurtured students’ love for music and developed their knowledge following high musical standards.
(Eva Kaminski, musician, owner of the Los Angeles Yamaha Music School)
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For six years (1994-2000), I have been Sanya’s mentor in her work on her doctoral dissertation. It has been these years that have shown me her tremendous vitality, intelligence, and really admirable personality traits. She has highly cultivated musical tastes, deep dedication to the art, and a boundless willingness to advance and refine her already estimable professional skills in addressing the most interesting areas of current musical thought. These are among the very many special attributes underlying the work of this gifted pianist, musicologist, and composer. Besides her ample competence in the field of music in general, and musicology as well as piano in particular, she also has excellent teaching skills and experience. She has taught for Yamaha School of Music as well as privately. Her students perform at recitals, festivals, and competitions. She is dedicated to her art, compassionate and stimulating to her students and a brilliant researcher and writer.
(Dr. Beverly Grigsby, composer and musicologist, Professor Emerita Music at California State University in Northridge)

STUDENTS’ AND PARENTS’ QUOTES

Dear Ms. Sanya, thank you for teaching us music. So good at piano, a very good teacher, never mad at your playing, you can count on her, a nice friend. Love, Sophia Kennelly.
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Dear Sanya, thank you for your talent, work and inspiration. We are so lucky. Genny loves you and we do, too! Love, Annie, Jim and Genevieve Geoghan.
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Dear Sanya, I would like you to know how much we look forward to you kind and gentle teaching. We are very lucky to have you with us. Thank you. Alexandra and Veronica.
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Dear Sanya, you are the greatest teacher in the whole world. I have never learned so much from one person. You are such a talented person. I hope some day I am able to play piano as amazing as you. You are a very special person to me. I hope you stay my teacher and friend for a very long time! Love always, Codi Caraco.
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Dear Mrs. Sanya! Thank you for teaching Julie. We were enjoying every class we had together. We love you and wish you the best. Love, Julie and family.
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Dear Sanya, I want to thank you for being the best piano teacher I ever had. You were a huge inspiration for me. Rachel Tobias.

Dear Sanya, Rachel was very fortunate to have had such a passionate and inspiring piano teacher who also nurtured her spirit. Thank you! Rachel’s mom, Tracy Tobias.
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purchase Sanya's book here