I wanted to say that I had a wonderful time and was very impressed not only with your masterful playing, but with how well you treated everyone - students and players alike. It was an amazing experience for everyone involved...

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Patrick Yates -  Sky Academy student 2007- 2009 - Covina, California:

If I could describe the Sky Academy in two  words it  would  be  life  changing!!!   During the five days of the academy, I learned more, directly from  Uli himself,  than  I had in the previous ten years  of   unguided   guitar   playing.    Uli's    deep,   intuitive   and   absolute   understanding of practically every  aspect of  music  allowed  him  to  pass  on  many  "secrets",  not only of guitar playing, but composition and music itself.   Uli's deep,  intuitive I  had hoped,  with  Uli's help  and  insight, to get  past  my  current  plateau  of  playing.   The Sky Academy helped me achieve   not  only that, but propelled me to a level I knew I was  capable  of, but  had no idea
how to  reach.   During  the academy  I played  a short  solo for Uli  and  during that time,  Uli's incredible  insight not only offered  several  suggestions  for  my  guitar  playing,   but  further touched on deeper   "life  issues" as  well  and  Uli  even  correctly guessed  my   star   sign, all from a 2 minute solo.  His  insight  and depth of understand was mind blowing  and   when  I   applied  his suggestions,  the  result  was  as  equally  mind  blowing.   I  would recommend the academy to anyone that  wishes  to   gain  a   deeper  understanding   of   not  only   guitar playing  but  of  music  itself.
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Hawk - Sky Academy Student 2006-2009 - Chicago 

I  attended  Sky   Academy   2006,   2007, 2008,  and  it  was   truely  an  enlightenig  experience that changed my life forever. The  bond   and  friendship  that  developed between other players is worth it's weight in Gold alone. Topics  such as  Relaxation Techniques and Tone Colors took my  playing  to a whole new level.  Jamming  with  Uli was awe  inspiring.  Thanks  Uli  for  the enlightenment  and  great inspiration!         
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Kent Niepert - Sky Academy Student  2006-2009 - Rowland Heights, CA:

I  have  been playing guitar 28 years  and  always  thought I was a good guitar  player,   better than  most.   But  after   joining the  Sky Academy  2006  and  receiving   instruction   from  Uli Jon Roth,  I  began  to  realise  that  I  needed  much   more   to    take  my   playing  to  higher levels. Uli's teachings have opened up  my  mind to  how  to  become   fully   inspired  to  play and write music.  I have  learned  how to hear better, play better  rythym, and how  to let the guitar sing.
The Sky Academy community of  brothers  and  sisters   is  the  most wonderful thing  I  have experienced  being  a  musician.  Everyone  here  is  very   supportive to  one another and we all  grow as a group  of  like  minded   people  who  want  to  exceed    in   their  craft. 
Thanks for everything,
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Jimmy Palmer - Sky Academy Student 2006-2009
Luthier- Palm Springs, CA:

Just wanted to take a minute and tell  the world how Sky Academy has  change  my  life  in  a lot of ways.
1.) When I play  guitar  now  I feel more relaxed  and let  the melody  come   out   naturally   I'm not  thinking  scales  and  such,   just letting   go,  I'm  writing  better  songs and  melodies.   I know this sounds  corny  but,   I  joke  with  Uli  that he is like  Obi one  from Star   Wars  Only  He's Uli -One,  the force is  with you !!!!  ha  ha !!

2.) The  things  Uli  t alks  about  in  the seminar you might  not  get  right away  or  you   might,  but  for me  there  just  seeds  that  will blossom  later,  you will  say  to  you're   self,  a week, a  month,  a year   later   "O  wow Uli talked about that at the  seminar.  Really cool  stuff!!!!!
3.) I'm   studying  to  be  a  Luthier,   and  I  really   feel Uli  was a  big  part  of  that   because   I   wanted   to  be  closer  with   guitars   and know  them inside out,  tonal wise  and woods and all kinds  of fun stuff,

4.) Also  the Brothers and Sisters  of the Sky Academy  are  friends,  that  want  you   to  grow  and   we   all   grow   together,   I   didn't  feel  nervous  once,   It's  really  cool  seeing  other's  progress  and  see  there  hard work a year later.
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Sam Church -  Sky Academy Student  2006 & 2007, 2009 - Port Orange, Florida:

Elevating, dynamic, awakening, haunting, limitless and mysterious....
Unlike   ANY   guitar   seminar   I   have   ever  witnessed.    A  true  teacher  and  gifted   artist.
Technique   and  self   give  way   to  expression   and  motion   Uli's    fire   is   fueled   by    the Music  of  the  Ages.   The never - ending  fountain  of  Inspiration  awaits.    Dang    that   dude plays  a mean  Sky guitar.
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Sky Academy 2006 - a perfect "day after" - at the Getty Museum Los Angeles

Steve Eggers - Sky Academy Student 2007 - Alta Loma, CA:

Going to Sky Academy opened my eyes  to  a  new  way  to  approach guitar   playing.  Uli  Jon Roth   has  the uncanny ability  to  evaluate someone's  playing   after  only   a  few moments of hearing them, and then to  make constructive  suggestions on how they might  be   able  to get  to  the  next  level.     Uli's laid back personality  and  great  sense  of  humor   help    build camaraderie   amongst  the   students,   and   puts everyone at ease, regardless of skill  level.
Sky  Academy is must for all those who strive to get better
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Cesar Chavez - Sky Academy Student 2006-2009 - Redondo Beach, CA:

Uli Jon Roth’s vision,  is the Holy Grail  of  Guitar  seminars,  Music  workshops and Interactive Instruction and teaching from a major Rock Guitar Icon.   It is literally a dream come true to be part of these seminars and events. Uli  Jon  Roth  has been  innovatively  trailblazing  Electric  Guitar for  30   plus  years,  earning worldwide admiration and respect from the world’s finest musicians and music lovers. Oh, yeah, that’s our teacher at Sky Academy!  Intimate, Inspirational, Instructive. Impressive. Uli  is  more than a mere guitar virtuoso, his own essence of humanity thru love of Art, Music, Literature, and Philosophy provide  for  stimulating  spoken  word  lecture/essays  that alone are worth the price of admission.Thank you Uli for the inspiration, instruction, and beautiful music and lessons you so generously provide to us all.
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Alexander Sack - Sky Academy Student 2007 - Guitar instructor - Lake View Terrace, CA:

I  would   like to thank you for the  seminars.  I found your lectures to  be  very  insightful,  and intelligent.  I gained much, not only listening,  but watching your paying as well.  We can often gain so much just by picking up details by observing at close range. I have never had  perfect pitch, but am now trying to associate pitch  with   the  colors  you  had  described.  I was very sad not have gotten to play my "thing" for you,  as I have  worked very hard at my craft, to  be original,  classy,  and  hopefully  'cool'.   I believe my work serves our music,  and would have VERY much apreciated some input. It can be very  hard  to  get  quality  instruction,  and  even harder to find instruction from an accomplished artist who is not  stuck in a single genre.  If I could make suggestion,  it would be to  get  time managed  a  little more  efficiently.  I  had  to battle traffic, and negotiate train schedules to make the  classes  on  time,  but  consistantly  found myself waiting,   as we were most always running  late  (but wrapping up on time).  For me it was a months rent to attend, and felt that time was lost at the expense of the students. The guests were all first rate. I was very impressed  with  your  keyboardist.  I met  very  fine people, and was surrounded by some very good gutarists. I came home inspired to practice.
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Comments from various Sky Academy New Zealand - 2008 students
The seminar was part of the  G-Taranaki Festival:



Sky Academy New Zealand 2008
Students with Uli, Gilby Clarke and Jeff Agins

“Our 13 yr old son Max was lucky to be included in Uli’s workshops.  With no one knowing quite what to expect, we had thought that we’d drop him off, and pick him up 5 hrs later.  But we couldn’t drag ourselves away. Uli had us mesmerized.  Although the workshops were more like a seminar with small moments of opportunity to play, Max was transfixed by Uli’s ability to hone in on so many aspects of guitar playing. The High School age participants were quite dumb struck to start with, but warmed into Uli’s style of delivery and little by little, were keen to have their moment with Uli and share their passion for guitar. After each had had their time on stage, I was impressed with how they handled the “helpful hints” and in turn supported each other with genuine applause.  It was also neat to hear the classical and flamenco styled playing.

"I particularly enjoyed Uli’s gentle and holistic nature and the way both he and his keyboard player were happy to include some of the kids up on the stage in some of the jam sessions.  I think the kids started to get tired of the “oldie Parents” telling them how lucky they were to have this opportunity, but they soon had worked that out for themselves.

"Each of the three days just got better. We hadn’t heard of Vernon Reid before, but so enjoyed his take on playing, and how he revealed a little of his life.  The younger members in the audience clearly related to him. And Gilby Clarke and his band, brought another sound to the final day.  If only those school hall walls could talk! They will never be the same again.

"Apart from the sensational playing, for me the biggest part of those three days, was the generosity of spirit that all the musicians shared with the small crowds of very eager participants.  I think it is quite extraordinary that they were willing to give of their time and musicianship, to just a handful of very ordinary New Zealanders, in very ordinary towns, in very ordinary school halls.  It’s great to see that Kiwi essence is very much alive and well. If only more had witnessed it, however, if they had, then we wouldn’t have had that intimate, privileged experience.”

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“G-Taranaki was unbelievably awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As the non musical father of a future guitar legend I can't even begin to express how grateful I am that my son (Marcus age 15) had the chance to play to, listen to and mingle with the likes of Uli Jon Roth, Gilby Clark and Vernon Reid.

I went to the workshops and WISH I had gone to the concerts.  Marcus went to everything!!!!!.   Sky academy,  midnight sessions and both Friday and Saturday concerts.

Marcus was particularly impressed with Uli and Vernon and if you have the opportunity to pass on a fathers deepest gratitude to these men I would be greatfull!!!!!   Marcus is truely inspired to play the guitar to the best of his ability.  (which is pretty damn good and getting better!!!)

Once again thank you for organising such a wonderful event,  and it is truely inspiring to come face to face with guitar legends who are to this day, obviously in love with their art and willing to travel to little old Taranaki to impart some of that passion.”

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“I thought the G TARAnaki festival was great. I attended two clinics where young and old guitarists mixed and learnt togeather.There was no pretention,it was inclusive and informative.I learnt enough to practice For a year!” 

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“Thank you for the incredible Sky Academy lessons at Waitara, Inglewood and Opunake. After 3 whole days of intensive tuition my son is in seventh heaven. It really is amazing how Taranaki can keep on coming up with such mindblowing ideas!!”

Sky Academy midnight jam session featuring
Vernon Reid, Alex Skolnick, Gilby Clarke and Uli
New Plymouth - New Zealand - 2008