* Something tells me you have a remarkable Contract in this lifetime, Jon....a soul to encounter...- Caroline Myss, bestselling author of Sacred Contracts, Anatomy of the Spirit and
Why Some People Don't Heal and How They Can.
*Thank you for delivery an excellent lecture on Autism Spectrum Disorders
on September 22, 2008 in the Psychopathology course within the Programs in Occupational Therapy. The students were very impressed
by your clinical and scholarly expertise and passionate commitment to your clients and research. The students gave very positive
feedback about lecture in the discussion that followed and in the course evaluation. Your lecture broadened their understanding
of the breath and depth of mental health practice and sparked their interest in exploring ways occupational therapists can
make a unique contribution to this field. I hope you will lecture again next fall. - Emily
Raphael, MA, MS, OTR, programs in Occupational Therapy, Columbia University
* Thank
you so much for delivering an excellent lecture in my Psychotherapy Course on Autism on Sept 24th, 2007 at Columbia University. The students were very enthusiastic about your presentation, including your collaborative
skills, expert knowledge and passion for your clients. - Emily Raphael, MA, MS, OTR, programs in Occupational Therapy.
* Life's Worc and NYFAC
would like to take this opportunity to thank you for presenting at our conference "Bringing Us Together." Based
on participant feedback, the information was well received. Your time and dedication to the field of Autism is appreciated.
We look forward to collaborating with you in future conferences.- Rosemary Barlone- Schafer, Life's WORC Chair and Andrew
Baumann, NYFAC Conference Chair
* I have observed Jon on several occasions during his Music Therapy
groups at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Jon is an amazing soul and it shines in his work . He is gentle
with each child he works with, taking special care and interest in each one. He is also clinically skilled, highly perceptive,
and intuitive. The students are overjoyed working with him and I have noticed improvement in their communication, attention
span, sense of self, and motivation in participating actively in their environment- Jennifer
Richman OTR/L - Senior Occupational Therapist for New York State Psychiatric Institiute and contractor for the NYC
Department of Education, specializing in Autism www.jenniferrichman.com/ot.html
* Prior to Jon bringing music into her life, Dana was quiet in group settings and tentative with
new experiences. With her new found confidence playing the piano, she has emerged from her shell. Her piano playing continues
to improve weekly as does her assertiveness. Jon's teachings have exceeded all our expectations for Dana's music training.
Dana's belief in herself is priceless and we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude- Plainview, NY
* My son has made tremendous strides since the beginning
of his lessons. Jon is incredibly talented and brought out qualities in my son I never knew existed! He is a wonderful teacher!!-
West Babylon, NY
* Jon recently completed
a 10 week music therapy residency program at our school. The students here are all classified as having an Autism Spectrum
disorder. Many of the students are non-verbal, with little intentional communication, as well as other typical ASD behaviors.
As a first year program, we were not sure that music therapy would offer the students any beneficial outcomes. We were proved
wrong. Jon was able to bring out the voices of children who had never spoken a word.
Amazing! Our students looked forward to his arrival, many placing their music symbol on their independent schedules without
reminders. This, in and of itself from non-verbal, dependent children is worth speaking of. Others simply smiled and gleamed
when they arrived in the morning to see the Music symbol on their daily schedule. Jon worked closely with classroom teachers,
related service providers, assistant principal and autism coach in a collaborative effort to bring these very special needs
children to higher grounds, by way of music. This collaborative effort proved fruitful.
The music therapy program was a success. We have asked that Jon return to our organization in September of 2006 because his
talent and style brought on positive behaviors that we want to continue to nurture.
I
would recommend Jon to any organization that serves children with special needs, because he showed us here that music is one
of the ways to a child’s heart. Of course, Jon’s talent should not be limited to special needs children, because
regardless of the type of child, I know that Jon’s Music therapy and teaching abilities would benefit any type of child.
-Rosa Amato, Assistant Principal, The Children’s School P.S. 372K
* Jonathan
Samson is an awesome and talented musician and teacher. The therapeutic piano lessons my daughter has received by Mr. Samson,
at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, has given her much joy, inspiration and confidence. With much appreciation and gratitude.
- Brooklyn, NY
* My ten year old son always looks forward to each
music lesson with Jon. Never knowing what to expect, my son is continually amazed and excited by the music he is discovering.
* Jon doesn't just
give piano lessons, he imparts a life long love of music in his students. - Cold Spring Harbour, NY
