Storytelling Radio Program
KSVY-FM 91.3, Sonoma, CA
www.ksvy.org/home.htm
Sundays, 5-6 pm Pacific time (adjust for your time zone)
Live audio streaming: Go to the KSVY website above. In the upper right-hand corner, click on High or Low Speed and find yourself listening to the program in progress.
Archives: Go to the KSVY website above. Click on "Shows" in the left frame. Scroll down and click on "Story-Lovers World," then click on "Past Episodes" under my picture. Now you have your choice of all the programs available to date as archives.
Theme music: Special thanks to Petra Koch in Germany (she works with Storyteller Richard Martin), who performed the beautifully haunting alto recorder music of Como Podem from the 13th century collection Cantigas de Santa Maria (copy of Kynsecker, Mollenhauer & Co.). The different music at the end of the programs is also by Petra. Used on this program with her kind permission.
Engineer: Brodie Giles, KSVY radio station 91.3 FM
PROGRAM 22:
Feb. 18, 2007 - Music and Stories: The Bardic Tradition
Historically, the name "bard" meant a poet who was also a musician. He—and usually it was a man—traveled across the country singing, reciting poetry and telling stories or bringing news while he accompanied himself on a musical instrument like a harp or a lyre. These bards had amazing memories. They collected and then told the histories, stories, legends, songs and poetry of their people.
In those early days, news traveled slowly. There was no printing press, no newspapers, few books (and those were usually religious), no radio or television...and what news did travel around from one person to another was pretty iffy because people exaggerated, lied, forgot or added things as they wanted to, just like we do today. But the bards were trained in the oral tradition to memorize and recite accurately, so people would rely on them to pass along the real truth.
Today, we have countless ways of hearing the news, so we don't have to depend on the bards anymore. Whether or not the news we do hear is accurate is another story. But in the storytelling world, there are still those storytellers who combine stories, poetry and music—much to our delight. And those are the tellers we'll be featuring in this program, those tellers who combine music and stories.
Featured storytellers:
Jacqueline Lynaugh (California)
The White Trout
David Vanadia (Oregon)
Sticky Stuff
Jeff Gere (Hawaii)
1st Day North Shore
Guerry Jameson McConnell (Tennessee)
Froggy Went A' Courtin'
Joe Keenan (Tennessee)
Hangman, Hold Your Rope
Sondra Singer (Colorado)
The Littlest Drum
Judith Wynhausen (Missouri)
Hey, Diddle Diddle!
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Guest tellers...
• Jacqueline Lynaugh — The White Trout
Jacqueline Lynaugh has been a professional musician and storyteller since 1980. She has played
guitar since the age of 4 and began performing music at the age of 11. Jacqueline studied acting and music at Montclair College in New Jersey, where she studied with Gerard Schwartz, current conductor of the Seattle Symphony. She received training for the Clarsach, or Gaelic Harp, from Ann Heymann, Violaine Mayor of Hent Telenn Breizh, and Margie Butler of Golden Bough.
For further information on Gaelic harps, go to
http://www.clarsach.net
Jacqueline did her acting apprenticeship at the Berkeley Shakespeare Festival in California. She was taught to storytell for the New Jersey Library System by Judith Rovenger, who later became head of children's services for the Westchester Library System in New York. Jacqueline is a member of SAAC (The Storytelling Association of Alta California). Jacqueline has also taught for the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Drama and Dance Division, Oakland Parks and Recreation, Oakland Children's Fairyland, the Fort Mason Center for the Arts Young Performers Theatre, and the LEAP Artist in the Schools program. Jacqueline has performed and sung at private parties, company parties, schools, and amusement parks on the East and West Coasts as well recently performing for several private engagements in Europe. Click here to read more about her research trip in Europe.
The costumed characters that she performs as include (click on a fairy):
Lady Emerald - http://www.musicalfolklore.freeservers.com/le.htm
The Blue Fairy Storyteller - http://www.musicalfolklore.freeservers.com/bf.htm
Mother Goose By Request - http://www.musicalfolklore.freeservers.com/mg.htm
The Snow Queen - http://www.musicalfolklore.freeservers.com/sq.htm
Mary Poppins - http://www.musicalfolklore.freeservers.com/mp.htm
CD Release - http://www.musicalfolklore.freeservers.com/cd/cdrelease.htm
Contact Jacqueline at:
bluefairystoryteller@yahoo.com
Jacqueline also teaches harp lessons:
http://musicalfolklore.freeservers.com/index.htm
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• David Vanadia (Oregon) — Sticky Stuff
David Vanadia is a Narrative Artist who got his start in 1990 by performing in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square Park to anyone who would listen. He's since become an innovative performer, writer, media maker, narrative business workshop leader, and teacher of Tai Chi, Qigong, and Yoga.
Interview with David:
How did you discover "storytelling"?
I was interested in different forms of media (painting, writing, music, movies, etc.) but never felt satisfied if I focused on them individually. A friend suggested I pursue Folklore. I sent away for a course catalog from a prestigious university and read the descriptions. The word "storytelling" kept jumping out at me and that's when it hit me that story was the common denominator amongst all of my interests.
When did you decide to become a storyteller?
I was 20 years old living in Philadelphia.
What were your first experiences like as a storyteller?
Scary! I was terrified to perform but I'd go out and do it anyway. My fear came less from performing and more from taking on the "responsibility" of calling myself a storyteller.
What obstacles have you encountered in your career as a storyteller? Has it been a rocky road?
When I got started in 1990, storytelling wasn't a buzzword. It was and has always been hard to make a living and I've traveled like a hobo to follow work. I've learned to understand story in many forms and now make a living by using storytelling in multiple forms of media.
What thrills you most when you are telling?
My favorite things is taking an audience to the land of make believe and then returning them to reality.
Any particular "telling" moments stand out in your memory?
A crazy homeless man once danced six inches in front of me while I was telling a story on the street during a festival in Philadelphia. I busked (told stories on the street) in London for a group of people that listened to the end and then walked away. When they left a homeless woman was standing there looking at me. Only she put money in my tip jar!
Have any endearing comments come from the kids you've worked with?
One wanted me to write the story down so he could recite it to his father when he got home.
What was your funniest experience as a teller?
People asking me if my (most outrageous) stories are true!
If you were doing it over again, would you change anything?
It's hard to sustain yourself if you give your vocation away for free.
What advice would you give beginning storytellers?
Don't be afraid to ask for money even if it's $10 for gas, or lunch, or a ride to and from the gig. Working for free doesn't help you or other storytellers. We need to value our time and so do other people. If anyone can do it, let them get anyone for free!
What are the biggest problems in the storytelling world?
Ignorance, closed minds, and narrow expectations.
•••••
David's latest projects include
Do It Yourself Stories
http://www.DIYstories.com
and Stop Being Sweet
http://www.StopBeingSweet.com
More information about his work can be found at
http://www.Vanadia.com
His CD, Six Stories Tall
is available at Amazon.com or by contacting David directly through his website.
Contact David at:
http://www.Vanadia.com
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• Jeff Gere, Hawaii — 1st Day North Shore (personal)
The two stories that Jeff tells in this program are available on his CD Jeff Gere Tells Silly 'n Spooky.
He tells his delightful playground home run hits: tales kids told to him & Jeff's tales about his own kids. These sassy pidgin Island adventures are goofy & touching, with a touch of intense suspense. LES ADAM adds a playful piano throughout. ALANA CINI (didgeridoo) and SANDRA LEE AKAKA (screeches) chime in too! Here hear fresh childhood gems told in exhilarating, aerobic musical conversations. Jeff has told tales to thousands of Summer Fun kids for two decades. These are their favorite stories!
jeffgere@lava.net
Jeff runs Hawaii's biggest storytelling event, The Talk Story Festival. He hosts Talk Story Radio weekly on Hawaii Public Radio.
http://www.talkstoryradio.com
Storytelling
Jeff Gere is a master storyteller, blending talents as painter, puppeteer, mime, teacher, and director into a performance style which has electrified audiences throughout Hawaii and the mainland for two decades. Jeff becomes his stories!
Jeff has a BA in Painting & Art History (junior year Florence, Italy) and MA in Inter-Relating Arts (multi-disciplinary program). Back in Italy ('80-82), caretaking a 600-year-old villa, he created & toured Dream Theatre (social issues with puppet, mask and mime).
Jeff came to Hawaii ('82), becoming one of its most popular storytellers. Jeff's taught and performed in literally every venue conceivable (all museums, private & public schools; all ages, sizes, & incomes; bars, prisons, homeless shelters, conferences, conventions, state-wide solo & group tours).
Jeff became the Drama Specialist, Parks Department, City & County of Honolulu ('87). In '89, he created the TalkStory Festival (www.honoluluparks.com), Hawaii's largest storytelling event (3,000 listeners). It features local talent, receiving excellent publicity. His non-profit attracts corporate sponsors. Jeff hosts/ produces Talk Story Radio (8/05, Hawaii Public Radio + 2 others) with tales of Hawaii & Pacific Rim (Parks Dept. (www.talkstoryradio.com), podcasts, 12,000 listeners/week)
His original programs include The Arabian Nights (2 musicians & bellydancer; 10 tales in 18 months 03-04, Hong Kong 6/05), Yo Pharaoh, and Van Gogh's Ghost. He performed at the Vancouver Story Fest. (11/04), Turkey (Karagoz Shadow Puppet Fest. 11/04) Thailand Story-In-English Camps (4/03). He's taught at the National Storytelling Conferences ('04, '99, '93), the Arizona Aloha Fest ('06), Boulder City Folk Fest ('02 & '03), Flying Leap Story Fest ('99), National Storytelling Championship (Idaho '97). In '92 he toured American Samoa, Guam & Saipan and at the Universal Expo (Sevilla, Spain), and the West Coast (93-02). He directed/ performed "Art Off The Wall", a collaborative inter-disciplinary series interpreting Honolulu's Contemporary Museum exhibits (97-00, Hawaii Fndtn Grant) & Teacher Trainings. Gere made/taught a "Tell Well" Storytelling System (Univ. Hawaii 90-97). He's the NSN State Laison for Hawaii.
Interview with Jeff:
How did you discover "storytelling"?
My mom was a high school drama teacher, so I was raised with a performing inclination. I earned a BA in painting and art history, fused it with drama at San Francisco State (MA in Inter-relating the Arts... performance art). While in Italy caretaking a 600-year-old villa and touring original mask theater mime shows, I'd make extra money telling stories in the English in language schools.
I moved my family to Hawaii to pursue further mask theater training, but raising two infants allowed little time for schooling. Hawaii is a difficult place to move to—the island really didn't embrace me 'til I started telling tales in preschools, and ever since, these islands have been home and I'm telling tales.
When and how did you decide to become a storyteller?
One night, as I rushed to my Japanese dance class at the University, my wife said, 'come home with sugo (sauce) for the pasta'. The fact was, I had NO money and no gas to get home OR to work the next day. After the class, I confronted my abysmal situation of 'lack', took stock of my resources, and went upto the student beer garden. I walked up to the first table, and said,"OK, 25 cents each, on the table, for a 5-minute story. 50 cents each and it'll be longer and better! Later I drove home with sugo, gas in the car, and a slight buzz from all the 'tips' I'd been given,
thinking "Storytelling—I really ought to think more seriously about this." That was a pivotal moment in my 'career'.
What were your first experiences like as a storyteller?
Cacaphenous.
What obstacles have you encountered in your career as a storyteller? Has it been a rocky road?
What kind of a story would it be without conflict?
I just read SONGLINES about the Australian aboriginese. One fact: Darwinians are looking for the missing link between monkeys and man. A wing of these anthrolologists believe it will never be found. They believe Homo Sapiens sprung into being as the result of the climactic crisis that came when the forests of present Northern Africa turned to grasslands, the mouth of the Mediterranian Sea opened, dinosaurs got buried to turn to petroleum now, and the DNA pool created our ancestors—bigger brain all convoluted to create more mass in a small space, and a body built for long long walks, and for climbing trees.
SO.
Next time you're up a tree, scratch your head, sprout a new idea, and walk on!
What thrills you most when you are telling?
The spontaneous, the unforseen. I am not a 'reciter'... I play it fresh, as an improv with a story backbone.
I love music 'cuz it pushes around the narrative. I like kids 'cuz you never know what they'll do, they are fresh and open, and they respond INSTANTLY.
What was your funniest experience as a teller?
ALL my tellings are funny!
If you were doing it over again, would you change anything?
Start sooner, NOT live in the most remote area in the world, or stop thinking it'd be nice to plug into the national scene.
What advice would you give beginning storytellers?
Tell, tell, and tell more. You simply cannot cheat when you stand up in front of an audience. You gotta do the work, hone coal into diamonds on your tongue, learn who you are. When that happens, your tone and path and approach will open up. No one can give it to you. For 'missing' so many powerful storytelling influences, I am thankful for my life in Hawaii. I had to find my voice without distraction from others.
What are the biggest problems in the storytelling world?
My main complaint is that it thinks small. Storytelling is real sustenance in a fast-food world. It's too important, addressing too much that has been shopping malled out of our society, to be a cute little library activity. It should be a MAJOR ENTERTAINMENT force in mass media of all kinds. Production values are low, people don't record or document their performances, it attracts such small interest and publicity. Sigh.... I'm doing what I can to address that here in Hawaii with the radio and TV shows, adding an ACTIVE lighting man during my Festival to color the air and even live improvisatory piano to the stage tells.
Let's get podcasts out to the WORLD!
•••••
Jeff's made 5 CDs: Haunted Hawaii vols. 1, 2, & 3 (retelling true supernatural tales), Rank Devil Mountain(FIRE tales, 3 musicians) and Silly 'N Spooky (kids in Hawaii). They're distributed state-wide & play on Hawaiian Airlinesin-flight shows (fall 04 & 06, summer 06). Chicken Soup for the Soul of Hawaii (03) has 2 Gere tales. He's in Storytellers: A Directory of 120 English-Speaking Tellers Worldwide (98). He co-produced/ performed in "The Storytellers" series (KITV 4, 95-97). He's in Mystery Hunters (Canadian BC.'06), Places of Mystery Series (Travel Channel, 00) and Haunted History Series (History Channel, 00). He reads Christobelle (15 X 15 min. series, airs 9/06). Jeff won Outstanding TV Performance Arts Series (00) for Olelo Community TV, airing monthly programs since '90.
Write him a note if you're coming to Hawaii. Send him a CD if your tales relate the the Pacific Rim. Give him a call if you'd like him to tell—he LOVES to travel and will make it easy for you.
Contact
P.O. Box 37495
Honolulu, HI. 96837
(808)737-1774
jeffgere@lava.net
http://www.jeffgere.com
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• Guerry Jameson McConnell (Tennessee) — Froggy Went A' Courtin'
Since Guerry's first appearahce befor a supportive audience when she was eight years old, she has continued to entertain and teach in many different mediums—storytelling, folk music, church music, opera, musical comedy, country pop style and drama. During her career, she has developed many stories with folk music as the major expression in her performance.
Guerry carries her talents for entertaining and teaching into her work operating and escorting tours, conventions, tour guide training, producing festivals and special events. She often works with her husband, Doc McConnell, on these projects and in his Old Time Medicine Show.
Guerry is always excited and enthusiastic about her work. She is quoted: "I love to see people share good times and good memories" and "Everything I love to do—from storytelling to guiding to organizing events—is entertainment."
As an entertainer in the area of Folk Music and Storytelling, Guerry has been listed for 30+ years with the Tennessee Arts Commission in the Performer and Artist-in-Residency categories. She has been listed with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for over 5 years. Guerry has been featured several years in public concert and as a workshop leader during the Tennessee Association for the Perpetuation and Preservation of Storytelling (TAPPS) conference and has performed as a Storyteller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Guerry has performed and led workshops for adults and children in schools, colleges, festivals and other venues across the country and in Canada, conducting weeklong sessions at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina and various conferences. Her material covers folktales, fairy tales, fables, family stories and original material covering historical events and characters. She uses a guitar, folk songs and original songs as part of her story presentations.
Her storytelling performance material is appropriate for pre-school, K-6 grades in general, selected 6-12 grade classes (drama, speech, history) and adults. Her Basic Workshop works well from 1st grade to adult audiences.
Contact Guerry at:
423 E. McKinney Avenue
Rogersville, TN 37857
423-272-8549
anguerry@bellsouth.net
guerrymcconnell@bellsouth.net
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•••••
• Joe Keenan (Tennessee) — Hangman, Hold Your Rope
Have you talked with a Tennessee mule lately? Tested your wits against a leprechaun? Faced down a bandit? Played a duet with a bird? Consoled a weeping bucket? Those are just some of the adventures Joe will lead you on with his stories and songs and ditties. Out of a lifetime of entertaining, teaching and traveling, Joe has collected and crafted programs to touch your funny bone, touch your heart, revive memories, and awaken new possibilities. He has programs such as:
• Memories. Stories of growing up in the South in the ‘30s and ‘40s
• Fools & Foolishness. The messes we do get ourselves into—and how we try to get out.
• The Narrow Path. Stories of generosity, courage, grit and hope; the hard but worthwhile choices.
Joe has brought his unique style to Seniors in retirement, civic and social clubs, college classes, school kids in elementary and middle grades, and to family groups at festivals. He has twice been featured at the annual conference of the Tennessee Storytelling Association, and has performed four times at the Tennessee Festival of Books. He has entertained at the Saturday night concert of the VASA Gathering, the TaleSpin Festival in Chattanooga, and was featured at the First Annual Hoggs Falls Storytelling Festival, Owensboro, KY.
Joe is a member and a past officer of the Tennessee Storytelling Association. He holds membership in the Southern Order of Storytellers and is an Elder member of the National Storytelling Network. He has published a storybook, Old Tales—New Tails (1998), and a CD, There Were 3 Crows (2004).
In addition to performances, Joe offers workshops on:
• Your Indispensable Voice. Techniques and practices to keep your voice healthy, strong, and vibrant.
• Them Bones Gonna Rise. Most folktales are just bare bones plots. Here’s how to give them the muscle, skin and hair to stand and walk with personality.
• Puttin’ On the Style. How to raise your performance level from so-so to WOW, to give your audience what they really want.
Articles by Joe
Digging for Stories
http://www.storyteller.net/articles/192
Contact Information:
Joe Keenan
167 Deercrest Circle
Franklin, Tennessee 37069
Phone: 615-646-9357
nanjoe@bellsouth.net
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• Sondra Singer (Colorado) — The Littlest Drum
Sondra Singer is a storyteller, actress, writer, musician, singer, and Certified Leader of Dances of Universal Peace, in Lakewood, Colorado. She has been performing since childhood. Her performances include folk tales from Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere, original tales that delight, and true stories of peace work. Many programs also include percussion pieces, rhythm instruction, and interactive experiences for the entire family. Sondra has appeared at public venues such as the Denver Zoo, Lakewood Art Fest, Boulder County Fair, Adams County Fair, the Colorado Performing Arts Festival, The Winter Festival of Stories, Rocky Mountain Storytellers’ Conference, schools, synagogues, and churches across the Front Range of Colorado. Member of the National Storyteller’s Network, Rocky Mountain Storyteller’s Guild, Rocky Mountain Storytellers’ Conference.
Examples of Children's Programs:
Joy Madison Carter Makes Noise — This popular 30-45 minute program includes an original story about a little girl who likes to make noise, which is followed by rhythm instruction, a short demonstration, a Bantu (Congolese) tale, and an interactive song and dance. Appropriate for all ages, especially ages 3-10.
A Tour of Africa in Story and Rhythm — Entertaining tales from different parts of the African continent are surrounded by rhythms and songs from Africa. 30-45 Minutes, appropriate for all ages.
Examples of Elder Children and Adult Programs:
The Prince and the Gryphon or the Truth About Boredom — A delightful 30-minute tale, about, well, the title says it! Best for adults or children 7+.
Building Bridges: Stories, Songs, and Dance About Getting Along — 30 minute to 1 hour program about creating peace. The program has many modules to choose from, including true, original, and folk tales, songs, rhythm, and Dances of Universal Peace. Flexible outline depending upon the time of the year, and the group.
The Woman Who Was Almost Stoned to Death and other Middle Eastern Stories — This program can be all Jewish tales. It can be a combination of Jewish and Persian or Arabic tales. It can even be the title story, presented as a discussion topic, comparing this story as it traveled across the Middle East. I have it as a Jewish tale, and also as a Moroccan tale, so that a fascinating program can be woven about preconceived notions of ethnicity.
Tales of the Earth, Songs of Peace — This program incorporates ethnic folktales with songs, and Dances of Universal Peace with the theme of environmental responsibility and awareness. Tales include The People Who Hugged the Trees, a story from India, about a girl who lives in a poor village at the edge of a great desert, her love of the trees that protect the village, and her great courage in saving those trees from the Maharaja's axes; also, The Screen of Frogs, a folktale from Japan about a selfish wealthy lad and his transformation to caring protector of the land and animals. Also included in this program are songs from songwriters such as Pete Seeger, and local singer/songwriter Clint Brown, participatory songs that capture the love of the Earth. Where space and time are available, there can be Dances of Universal Peace (see www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org for more information) that help us to connect more deeply to the earth, including dances from the Hawaiian Islands, the Creation-Centered Mystical Christian tradition, and Native American tradition.
Stories of Rhythm and Fantasy was 6 years in the making! Consisting of stories, song, and rhythm, this professionally produced recording will appeal to all ages! Great stocking stuffer for the Holidays, birthday presents, or just because you love stories!
The CD Includes:
1 Joy Madison Carter Makes Noise 12:51
2 The Littlest Drum 7:55
3 Cycles in Time (drum song) 1:47
4 The Prince and the Gryphon or the Truth About Boredom 30:25
5 I've Got A Song in My Head (song) 3:11
6 Gerald the Giant 15:12
Sample some of Sondra's stories and songs!
The Prince and the Gryphon
I've Got a Song in My Head
Joy Madison Carter Makes Noise
http://www.sondrasinger.com/cd/index.php#samples
Sondra's CDs are available at:
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr
CDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sondrasinger
Story Drum: http://www.storydrum.com
With a credit card or E-check you can order one, or as many copies of Stories of Rhythm and Fantasy as you want! CDs are only $15, plus $4 shipping and handling for the first CD, and $1 for each additional CD. (6.2% sales tax will be added to Colorado orders.)
Sondra creates her original stories and music, which are all under copyright. You need to contact her for permission to use any of her work.
You can contact Sondra at: info@sondrasinger.com
http://www.sondrasinger.com/
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•••••
• Judith Wynhausen (Missouri) — Hey, Diddle Diddle!
Judith began entertaining as a folksinger in the late 1960's when she was studying music education at the University of Kansas. In 1975 she performed with the Seem-to-be Players in Lawrence, Kansas, discovering a passion for theatre, especially children's theatre. This passion led to a master of arts degree in theatre from KU, and later to a master of fine arts degree from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She developed the Mother Goose character and stories in 1992. Mother Goose has performed in Russia and Germany as well as in several locations in the US. The Mother Goose stories, based on traditional nursery rhymes, are useful for students of English as a second language. Judith also received training as a Waldorf kindergarten teacher, and taught kindergarten for five years. She enjoys telling fairy tales in the Waldorf manner, with a minimum of theatrical dramatization.
Judith lives on a ten acre farm in Joplin, MO with her husband John, her two youngest children Aaron and Veronica, three horses, Diamond, Star and Buddy, Sylvia the cat, and several chickens. In addition to storytelling, she enjoys gardening, sewing, dancing, yoga, and playing in an African marimba ensemble.
Programs available:
A variety of programs are available:
• Mother Goose programs... http://www.judithtells.com/NewFiles/mothergoose.html
• Dame Judith... http://www.judithtells.com/NewFiles/damejudith.html
• Kathleen Snyder... http://www.judithtells.com/NewFiles/Kathleen.html
• Believe it or not Animal Tales... http://www.judithtells.com/NewFiles/believe.html
• Malvina Reynolds... http://www.judithtells.com/NewFiles/believe.html
• Festivals of Light... http://www.judithtells.com/NewFiles/believe.html
• Celebrating Christmas... http://www.judithtells.com/NewFiles/believe.html
• Circle Time for preschoolers... http://www.judithtells.com/NewFiles/circle.html
• Workshops and Residencies... http://www.judithtells.com/NewFiles/workshops.html
What others say about Judith:
Comments from Teachers and Librarians
“I enjoyed your visit thoroughly. Being the only person at Trinity that was able to see both performances in their entirety, I believe you reached all grade levels from PreK-8th grade. That’s an accomplishment. Thanks for sharing your talent and skills with us!”
--James M. Riedl, Principal, Trinity Lutheran School , Portland , OR
“We enjoyed the entire performance. Some special things—variety of instruments for Cat & Fiddler, being able to be part of the play. Mother Goose’s visit—we liked the way different rhymes were incorporated. And we LOVED Gus, the Goose!”
--Susan Dean, pre-school teacher, Children’s Montessori School, Liberty, MO
“You kept their attention and there was a good moral point to the story. You added a lot to our special morning with the kids.” (from a Christmas story told in a church setting)
--Jim Wickenkamp, Children’s Minister, Oronogo , MO
“Mesmerizing storytelling, outstanding costume, and intriguing tales. Thank you for visiting our school!”
– J. Patsih, Teacher, Kansas City , Kansas
“The transition story into each song was very clever and a great lead-in. One little girl’s facial expressions were priceless. . . The performance was well rounded and exceptional.”
--Roxanne R. King, Youth Services, Pioneer Library, Leawood , KS
“On March 8th Mother Goose, Judith Wynhausen, performed at our Parents As Teachers Group Meeting. I would like to recommend her for any of your special events where children are attending. She is absolutely wonderful with children of any age. She has the ability to capture the attention of even the smallest child. Her performances are animated, engaging, and involve the children in many of the classic nursery rhymes.”
-- Susan Ross, Parent Educator, Jasper R-V Elementary School , Jasper, MO
“I loved watching the children’s faces during your performance. Some of them sat with their mouths open and hanging on every word. I don’t think anyone went away disappointed.”
--Cindy Powell, Children’s Librarian, Coffeyville , KS
“The duck was most beloved by the audience. He was the best duck puppet I’ve ever seen. I heard the children talking about him for days—and you too. . . This performance was just the greatest. Thank you for coming.”
“I loved how you made everything seem so real.”
– Jeanne Johnson, teacher, Kansas City , Kansa s
“Her costumes, her voices, her puppets---she held the children’s attention very well! Funny for the adults also; interesting! I really liked the way you started a story then incorporated the poems into it. Your mouse looks real! And your goose has great expressions too!”
--Fawn Hansen, Kindergarten teacher, Joplin , MO
“She was funny!” “She’s a great singer.” “I liked the goose!” “I thought the mouse was real at first.” “I thought you held the kids attention quite well for as long as they had to sit there. You were fun and very entertaining. I liked the calm voice of Mother Goose and the ‘cocky’ voice of the goose.”
-- Bev Funk, Vancouver , WA
“We liked the professional touch to this most enjoyable event. You do a terrific job with something that many children have not experienced. We loved all of it. You were more than we expected. “
Barbara Pieske, Evergreen School District , Vancouver , WA
“The children (and teachers) enjoyed your songs, puppets, rhymes so much. It’s obvious you know and enjoy children and see their humor in our ‘adult world. Thank you again for a delightful time!”
-- Diane Loyhry and Candy Michener, Kindergarten teachers, Helen Baller Elementary School, Camas, WA.“The puppets were very believable! The humor was wonderful. Your switches between characters were very smooth. You also have a beautiful singing/speaking voice.”
--Ruth Autderheide, pre-k teacher, Portland Lutheran School , Portland , OR
“The children loved the puppets and the music. I liked the entire performance. The kids talked about the performance for days and wanted you to come back.”
--Sherri James, Evergreen School District, Vancouver, WA
“I believe we enjoyed the interactive singing the most. A superb performance! . . . Thank you so much for coming to our library.”
--Alicia M. Kozloski, librarian, DeSoto, MO
“We all really enjoyed your banter with the gander. It was very entertaining and the children thought it was hilarious! We also liked your costume and how animated you were when performing.”
--Kathy Kaminski, Library Assistant, Kansas City, KS school
“This was the best spent money to enrich our student’s language experiences.”
--Carol Carden, Kindergarten Center, Miami, OK
“Your skillful use of puppets and ventriloquism kept us mesmerized. You brought the nursery rhymes to life, and helped create a firm bond between the children and this part of their literary heritage. Thanks for coming.!”
--Annette Geary, teacher, Ashland, MO
CD available:
Bring Mother Goose into your home!
"Tales From Mother Goose Land" is now available.
Two-disk set is filled with Mother Goose's enchanting stories. Each disk is a comfortable listening length for small children.
Disk 1 contains:
• "Old Mother Goose and her neighbors, the Three Little Kittens"
• "Simple Simon at the Fair"
• "Sheep Tales" (Listen now!)
• "Mary Had a Little Lamb song"
• "Sing a Song of Sixpence"
Disk 2 contains:
• "Hey Diddle Diddle"
• "The Muffin Man and Betty Botter"
• "Wee Willy Winkie"
• "Hickory Dickory Dock"
To order:
e-mail Judith Wynhausen at
Judith@judithtells.com (PayPal accepted).
Or the CD is available on Amazon.com 2-disk set $15.00, shipping not included.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/home/home.html?tag2=mothergoosela-20
Contact Judith:
http://www.judithtells.com/
2202 E. 47th
Joplin, MO 64804
(417) 782-6983
judith@judithtells.com
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(Page created 2/6/07; updated 2/8/07; 2/18/07)
