Rave Reviews from Christina’s Fans

Christina Frei asked a lot of interactive questions and really got them thinking about what it was like in the 1700s.

~ Nancy Nessel, Organizing Parent for Daisy Scouts, Darien, CT

To my delight, she used the settings and characters of the book in her improv games, integrating learning with fun seamlessly. “Each year at Long Lots Elementary, the parents organize an evening event for all 5th graders focused on a book the children have read in school. The students enjoy a variety of games and interactive sessions related to the book. This year, the 5th grade read From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I brought Christina Frei in to teach comedy improv because I knew improv would be very interactive and fun for the kids.

To my delight, she used the settings and characters of the book in her improv games, integrating learning with fun seamlessly.

The students got to recall what they loved about the story, but also to add their own embellishments and creativity to the book’s scenes and characters.

The kids enjoyed it and the parents appreciated picking up some ideas for fun at home.”

~Gibby Halloran, organizing parent at Long Lots Elementary

The kids enjoyed the opportunity to explore one of our Founding Fathers in a really novel way.

~ Susan Gold, Executive Director, Westport Historical Society, Westport, CT

[The Assembly Program] was great and well-received by our 3-5th graders.

~ Jamie Antonucci and Karen Figueroa, Cultural Enrichment Co-Chairs, Roxbury Elementary School, Stamford, CT

They all seemed excited to know more about George Washington, and I myself learned a few interesting facts about our first PresidentWestport Historical Society Testimonial
~ Sue Gold, Executive Director, Westport Historical Society

Who knew learning history and leadership skills could be so much fun?“ Kids are a big priority for the Stamford Jewish Community Center. That’s why I was happy to see Christina bringing our kids to life with her Oopy Goopy Times of Benjamin Franklin afterschool program. We’ve got really bright children here, and Christina met them half way with her fun, but challenging program.Not only did she build their confidence with comedy improv games, but she also taught them about Ben Franklin’s childhood and colonial food.Christina offered this educational experience from many angles, including puppet shows, related creative activities, writing assignments, all of which asked kids to be more resourceful in their everyday lives.When the parents arrived, they were enjoying the fun almost as much as the kids. And our counselors (two young men) reported back that Christina was hilarious. I’m so glad we connected with Christina her programs. Who knew learning history and leadership skills could be so much fun? “
~ Sarah Evans, Director, KidsPlace, Children’s Services, and O-la-mi, Stamford Jewish Community Center

The kids loved it and actually laughed as they learned the new policies. Yes, they laughed.“It is very important that recycling increase in our city over the next year. One major push is in the schools, since kids learn quickly and they impact the rest of the city. I was planning on a straightforward presentation on our new Single Stream program, when I connected with Christina Frei, an educational performer. She had some GREAT ideas of her own, she said.I didn’t know what to expect, but within a couple days, Christina had a custom-made curriculum that communicated every major point I had, only now instead of running through a standard list, there were kid characters to illustrate the changes in real-life scenarios. It was great experience for both the kids and myself.The kids loved it and actually laughed as they learned the new policies. Yes, they laughed. The assistant principal raved to us afterwards, and we even were featured on the local news. With Christina’s curriculum and lively acting, we taught those kids in a way they’ll remember. I’m glad Christina was part of our team. “~ Dan Colleluori, Supervisor of Solid Waste and Recycling
City of Stamford

Special Recycling Program: With this dynamic program, it’s clear that the kids learned many new policies in a short span of time.“Since the recycling law had changed in Stamford, we wanted to educate our kids (750+) about the new Single Stream program. City Government sent a team and I was expecting a pretty standard rundown of the new rules.Luckily, they’d brought in an educational performer, Christina Frei, to present with them, and it made it fun and hilarious to watch.As I sat in the auditorium, it was a pleasure to see the kids involved, whether it was “booing” when a student mistakenly put garbage in recycling or whether they were just laughing at the funny characters Christina created.With this dynamic program, it’s clear that the kids learned many new policies in a short span of time. I have no doubt that this school will be recycling almost double what it used to. Christina and her team did a great job!”~ Gina Blum, Parent and Recycling Committee Co-Chairperson, Northeast Elementary, Stamford CT

Christina does a fantastic job bringing these great historic figures to life!“Alexa had a great time attending the “Founding Fathers” with Christina Frei. She was so enthusiastic about what she learned. Christina does a fantastic job bringing these great historic figures to life for children. It is creative, educational & fun.”~ Deborah Ross, Marketing Specialist, Stamford, CT

[My sons] said she was “very cool” and made learning fun.“My sons came home from a workshop with Christina and they actually know things about Ben Franklin –things that interest them. They would definitely go again to learn about our other Founding Fathers. My boys aren’t huge history buffs, but really enjoyed learning in this fun way. They said she was “very cool” and made learning fun.”~ Kim W., mother of Founding Fathers workshop participants

Christina has a gift with pre-teens.“Her Hogwarts for Girls series was so creative and just what my daughter and her friends wanted. In the space of a few hours, the girls wrote poems and songs, designed outfits, made healthy herbal potions, drew pictures, made their own magic wand, decorated a party, spied on animals at the zoo, and cooked a roast chicken. And they loved every minute of it!After the workshop, the girls were happy and enthusiastic because they’d really sunk their teeth into something fun and challenging. As a parent, I’m thankful that there are dynamic teachers like Christina, bringing new life to educational experiences.”~ Kate B. – mother of participant, Development/Fundraising Director, San Francisco, CA

Christina brought the house down!“At a recent church service attended by a couple hundred people, Christina brought the house down when she used a puppet to demonstrate a money-related principle. It was both hilarious and completely enlightening. She’s always been able to entertain and teach. It’s her natural ability.”~ Rev. Jennifer Willis, Lead Women’s Teacher, BPI

When Christina leads a group, participants have fun!“Christina brought a unique blend of humor and professionalism to all her classes. I always knew that if Christina were leading a class, her students would get a strong foundation in meditation and they’d have fun doing it.”~ Rev. Kay Robinson, retired bishop of CDM, principle of Intuitive Insight Consulting

Christina knows how to teach a lesson, while getting everyone laughing.“Christina was one of our strongest meditation teachers while I was director of BPI. She knew exactly how to lead a class so that all benefited and that got people laughing while they were learning. I could always count on Christina.”~ Rev. Max Radcliffe, former director of BPI, Berkeley

Here’s What Kids Are Saying…

Here is what the brilliant kids have to say about the workshops.

It was a blast!“My friends and I totally loved the Harry Potter books. Christina was into it too, and she came up with a class called Hogwarts for Girls so we could pretend we were attending Hogwarts! It was a blast! We designed a wand, developed our own Harry Potter book character, made our own spells and potions, cooked a Great Feast by ourselves, studied Muggle Creatures at the zoo, and even designed bowling outfits. I’m sure we were probably learning something, but we didn’t notice because it was so much fun.”~Eli J., 17, Berkeley, CA, former Hogwarts for Girls participant

I learned so much about Colonial times!“I learned so much about Colonial times. It’s very fun. In school, we learned about what type of foods people ate, but in Christina’s workshop, we learned hands-on about how they preserved them and actually prepared them and how they figured out temperatures, which was really cool.”~ Kevin W., 13, Founding Fathers participant

I want to go again“I loved it, Mommy. We learned about Ben Franklin and Esmerelda was really funny. I want to go again.”~ Alexa, 8, Founding Fathers participant

It was really fun and tested you a lot about what you Ben Franklin!“My favorite part was making the commercials. It’s different than what we do in school. It makes you think about what to do and have your own say. [I learned that] Ben Franklin didn’t go to school for that long, which you would think he would have, since he’s so smart. It was more creative [than school]. It was really fun and tested you a lot about making it up as you go along, like improv, and having your own say about what’s going on. “~ Arthur D., 13, Founding Fathers participant

Learning about the founding fathers is a fun and easy!“[My favorite part was] Esmerelda (puppet character) talking about Colonial Times. I thought that this was my favorite, because Esmerelda was new to me and she taught me things I never knew before. Christina was patient, kind and creative, which made the afternoon nice to learn about the 1750s. I think that the group was the best it could ever be to learn about the founding fathers. I would [like to do this again], because the founding fathers is a fun easy way to learn.”~ Nicole M., 8, Founding Fathers participant