I had never touched the guitar until about 3 years ago... now, after two years with Michael and the Crossroads community, I've played the Sweetwater twelve times with over 30 different musicians. The workshops are the absolute best place to hone your skills and make a lot of good friends while you¹re doing it. If you do it once, plan on doing it many, many more times... you'll be hooked.
— Jim Foley
Michael can bring out what you didn't think that you had in you. He encourages you to try new directions—often poles apart from your previous thinking. My time with him in the workshop helped jump start my return to jazz.
— Jim Whiteside, gigging jazz musician
The music workshops have awoken the creative side of me that I had put on the shelf for years. It has been a blast meeting all these people with similar interests. I am actually playing and performing good music!
&mdash Dan Brown
I never imagined I would ever get up on stage and perform in a rock band before I met Michael. With his knowledge, support and encouragement I now perform on a regular basis and it's one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done. Though I think I'll keep myday job! Stephen Klein
Working with Michael LaMacchia (Crossroads/Closet Muscians) has facilitated an opprotuntiy that I was unable to make happen on my own. The workshops are a great way to build confidence and learn new skills. The experience has offered me an avenue for creative expression as well as to make friends and most of all improve my musicianship.
All hail LaMacchia! Michael for president.
— Chuck Mottern
Michael's work is life-changing. His humble personality belies his superior instrumental virtuosity - that alone makes for an inspiring individual. But Michael's real gift is his understanding of the transformational potential of generosity and community building. His Crossroads/CMW workshops embody the whole is greater than the sum of the parts philosophy and through his nurturing guidance you quickly find yourself capable of more than you ever thought possible. I'm now on my third official session in his program and I'm clearly a better musician and a better performer - my original goals. The real gift though is that I can't help but feel like I'm a better person for the experience - more in touch with my music and my life, more aware of the vibrant community around me, and more connected to the magic of a shared creative pursuit.
&mdash John Merkl
I had never played in a band before I met Michael. I'd always dreamed of doing so, but didn't know how to make it happen. With Michael's support, teaching, and encouragement—along with the skills I've learned in the band workshops—my dream of playing in a band has become a reality. Two of the workshop bands I've been in have gone on to play gigs around the Bay Area. Michael has brought music and performance into my life in a way I never thought possible, and has welcomed me into a musical community that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
&mdash Mark Fox