Dr. Michael McCallie Director of Guitar Programs McCallie School mmccallie@mccallie.org 9/30/24 To whom it may concern, I'm writing to recommend Jude Rifai, a sincerely talented and inquisitive classical guitar student who I had the pleasure of teaching for nearly 6 years. From the start, Jude stood out for his exceptional sight-reading skills, often picking up complex pieces with ease. His ability to quickly and accurately interpret music was impressive and allowed him to explore a wide range of repertoire. What really makes Jude special, though, is his intellectual curiosity. He was always eager to understand the "why" behind the music—asking great questions about everything from the history of a piece to the theory that supports it. This kind of curiosity isn’t something you see every day, and it not only helped him grow, but also added a lot of depth to our rehearsals. Along with his talent and inquisitiveness, Jude was also incredibly hardworking. He consistently put in the effort to improve his playing and broaden his musical knowledge. I have no doubt that these qualities will serve him well in whatever he pursues, and I’m confident that he will be a fantastic addition to your program. While a student at McCallie, Jude competed in numerous national and international competitions, played in masterclasses with world-renowned artists and successfully auditioned into our most advanced ensemble. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any more information. I’m happy to share more about my experience working with Jude. Best, Dr. Michael McCallie
Dr. Michael McCallie Director of Guitar Programs McCallie School mmccallie@mccallie.org 9/30/24 To whom it may concern, I'm writing to recommend Jude Rifai, a sincerely talented and inquisitive classical guitar student who I had the pleasure of teaching for nearly 6 years. From the start, Jude stood out for his exceptional sight-reading skills, often picking up complex pieces with ease. His ability to quickly and accurately interpret music was impressive and allowed him to explore a wide range of repertoire. What really makes Jude special, though, is his intellectual curiosity. He was always eager to understand the "why" behind the music—asking great questions about everything from the history of a piece to the theory that supports it. This kind of curiosity isn’t something you see every day, and it not only helped him grow, but also added a lot of depth to our rehearsals. Along with his talent and inquisitiveness, Jude was also incredibly hardworking. He consistently put in the effort to improve his playing and broaden his musical knowledge. I have no doubt that these qualities will serve him well in whatever he pursues, and I’m confident that he will be a fantastic addition to your program. While a student at McCallie, Jude competed in numerous national and international competitions, played in masterclasses with world-renowned artists and successfully auditioned into our most advanced ensemble. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any more information. I’m happy to share more about my experience working with Jude. Best, Dr. Michael McCallie
Dr. Michael McCallie Director of Guitar Programs McCallie School mmccallie@mccallie.org 9/30/24 To whom it may concern, I'm writing to recommend Jude Rifai, a sincerely talented and inquisitive classical guitar student who I had the pleasure of teaching for nearly 6 years. From the start, Jude stood out for his exceptional sight-reading skills, often picking up complex pieces with ease. His ability to quickly and accurately interpret music was impressive and allowed him to explore a wide range of repertoire. What really makes Jude special, though, is his intellectual curiosity. He was always eager to understand the "why" behind the music—asking great questions about everything from the history of a piece to the theory that supports it. This kind of curiosity isn’t something you see every day, and it not only helped him grow, but also added a lot of depth to our rehearsals. Along with his talent and inquisitiveness, Jude was also incredibly hardworking. He consistently put in the effort to improve his playing and broaden his musical knowledge. I have no doubt that these qualities will serve him well in whatever he pursues, and I’m confident that he will be a fantastic addition to your program. While a student at McCallie, Jude competed in numerous national and international competitions, played in masterclasses with world-renowned artists and successfully auditioned into our most advanced ensemble. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any more information. I’m happy to share more about my experience working with Jude. Best, Dr. Michael McCallie