Bartlett, Lona
Lona learned, growing up on a farm in the Catskill Mountains, life is all about the story. She combines traditional storytelling, puppetry, music and her degrees in education to weave stories that entertain and teach. … Continue
Behm, Janel
Janel Behm is a graduate of Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) and has a bachelor’s degree in allied health. For 23 years, she worked as a physical therapist. Although born and raised in Northwest Ohio, … Continue
Bolton, J.A.
I was raised in Richmond County, North Carolina, along the banks of the Pee Dee River. I find that telling stories is a good stress reliever for me and my listeners. Around these parts I … Continue
Brigham, Willa
Welcome to the wonderful wacky world of storyteller, inspirational speaker, performing artist, writer and Two Time Emmy Award Winner; Willa Brigham. This busy artist has five award winning CDs of stories songs and poems. Her … Continue
Brown, Cynthia
Cynthia Moore Brown has been an acclaimed performer and educator for over three decades in North Carolina, the South, and Europe. She has a degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Education in Early … Continue
Buck, E. Gale
E. Gale Buck began writing short stories in December, 1983 when he had a problem with Christmas. “A Birthday Story” blossomed into a tradition of writing that has spanned over 27 years and produced over … Continue
Burch, Milbre
Based in Chapel Hill, NC, Milbre Burch is a GRAMMY-nominated spoken word recording artist and an internationally known, award-winning storyteller. Her work as a theatre artist was honed at the Celebration Barn in South Paris, … Continue
Catton-Johnson, Donna
Born in Colorado, Donna Catton-Johnson lived in 10 different states and 2 foreign countries as an “Air Force brat”. She holds an Interdisciplinary B.A. in Visual Arts and Theatre (and was certified to teach both), … Continue
Clarke, Sharon
For more than 25 years Sharon Clarke has warmed the hearts of her audiences with storytelling and folk music. She weaves together song with story, imagery with imagination to delight and captivate the listener. Her … Continue
Cole, Marvin
The main purpose of portraying Mark Twain is to satirize human cruelty to other humans in the hope of realizing the need to respect all people. A second purpose is to bring the physical, mental, … Continue
Cunningham, Alice
“Miss Alice” has been entertaining folks for over twenty years. She does “dress up” tea parties for girls and ladies at her business location. She loves dressing up so much that she wears fancy things … Continue
Cunningham, Jane
Jane Owen Cunningham is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and a memory to your heart! Her enduring sense of humor and irresistible Southern charm make her “Miss Jane Stories” an enchanting experience … Continue
Davin, Janice
Storytelling saved Janice Davin’s career as a teacher and maybe her life. During 35 years in the classroom, she used stories to calm savage beasts, subdue mutinies, and make learning memorable. In 2005, Janice began … Continue
Dial-Stanley, Ryan
Ryan Dial-Stanley is a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and has severed as a cultural educator for most of his life. For years Ryan has traveled across the state to various venues … Continue
Dixon, Mima
A retired librarian, Mima loves to delight the young and young at heart with stories to stretch the imagination. Mima’s stories strive to take you on a storytelling adventure as well as to entertain and … Continue
Eaglin, Sylvia
You may want to hear about the seven Eaglin children’s hilarious adventures growing up in Tennessee and Arkansas, as told for thirty-eight years in the classroom and now for audiences of all ages at after-dinner … Continue
Eister, Lisa
Lisa Eister is a native of South Carolina with roots in the Appalachian Mountains. A certified educator, Lisa performs before school, festival and community audiences of all ages. Her concerts feature folktales, traditional Appalachian tales, … Continue
Ellis, Kim
My name is Kim Ellis. I tell stories from my own life and from the perspectives of different women from the Bible and there are tons of stories there. These are called women at the … Continue
Evans, Evette
Evette Evans is an author, poet, and weaver of dreams. Her love of storytelling was born as a toddler, listening to her grandmother spin improbable yarns of her childhood, and recount family narratives of bravery, … Continue
Fink, Chuck
Chuck Fink dove into the art of storytelling at age 64, in 2014. He has appeared in numerous shows throughout the Asheville area and Jonesborough TN, telling personal stories filled with angst, drama and a … Continue
Fowler, Johnny
Johnny Thomas Fowler, mountain-heritage storyteller, award winning musician and author is from the foothills of upcountry South Carolina. His work is featured on South Carolina Public TV where he has co-produced a number of documentaries … Continue
Freeman, Kyra
In a world of screens and social media videos, the face-to-face, real-time connection between teller and audience is rare and powerful. Kyra Freeman has been fascinated by storytelling since childhood. A former school library media … Continue
Gaudet, PapaJoe
PapaJoe is the one of those characters you expect to find wandering through the pages of an old children’s picture book. And when you see him telling a tale, long beard wagging, the explosion of … Continue
Goodman, Linda
Linda Goodman, a Virginia Appalachian Mountain native of Melungeon descent, learned the art of storytelling from her father, a former coal miner who was himself a master yarnspinner. She began writing her own stories while … Continue
Gordon, Kathy
I was raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina by parents who told stories of growing up in the mountains. I delight in retelling these stories and ones of my own childhood. I was … Continue
Gorham, Linda
Linda Gorham’s performances are filled with surprising twists and unconventional humor. For the past 25 years, Linda has engaged audiences with interactive folktales, distinctive myths, notably twisted fairy tales, riveting well-researched historical stories, and humorously … Continue
Gregory, James
I first started telling stories in grade school, started getting paid about 25 years ago. I have appeared in Churches, schools, libraries, and civic organizations. I specialize in Old Mountain Tales, Tall Tales and Stories … Continue
Gudger, Sandra
Appalachian stories, poems, and personal stories. Sandra brings seven generations of Scottish and Appalachian heritage to storytelling. She says her Daddy told stories at family gatherings and she didn’t know that storytelling was an art … Continue
Harrell, Michael Reno
Michael Reno Harrell is an award winning songwriter, storyteller, published author and all around great entertainer. His songs have been described as “Appalachian grit and wit”, but his self pinned material resonates far beyond his … Continue
Hoal, Alan
Alan is a highly energetic and animated storyteller who has taken home numerous storytelling awards. He travels throughout the United States telling stories at festivals and retreats as well as at colleges, secondary schools and … Continue
Ingalls, Terri
Having worked as a flight attendant, travel agent, media buyer, theater manager, actor, director, secretary and writer, Terri Ingalls has a wide range of experiences and people from which to draw stories and characters. She … Continue
Jones, Ron
I am a retired librarian and library consultant with 30 years’ experience as a professional storyteller for audiences of all ages. My series of original stories entitled STORIES FROM DOWN HOME focus on memories and … Continue
Kitson, Robin
Robin’s trips of the mind are like those she heard as a child in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans where stories roll down the river clothed in fog. Robin’s dynamic, funny mind weaves a … Continue
LedBetter, Gwenda
Gwenda LedBetter began her fifty years of storytelling in Asheville, North Carolina, becoming the Storylady at the libraries, and on Tales from the Red Rocker on WlOS-TV. Her first telling at the National Festival in … Continue
Leotta, Joan
Award winning story performer and author, Joan Leotta, gives shows based on folklore or personal stories and performs women from history for audiences of all ages. Her one-woman shows include “Hurricane of Independence” about an … Continue
Lightbody, Arthur
Arthur Lightbody was a Bible translator in the Philippines, and also served in support roles for Wycliffe and the related SIL and JAARS organizations. Now retired from Wycliffe after more than 40 years, Arthur’s primary … Continue
Lovett, Sherry
Sherry Lovett has been a middle school teacher, elementary media specialist, homeschooler, educational cooperative leader, teaching artist for Penland School of Crafts, workshop facilitator, and, through it all, a storyteller. Through mystical Celtic stories, haunting … Continue
MacKenzie, Catherine
An avid collector of tales, Catherine MacKenzie fell in love with storytelling in the bayous of Louisiana, and is always thrilled to find a new story to share. With a MLIS and extensive experience as … Continue
McPhail, Jeannie
Jeannie McPhail is a former library director from Kansas, who loves the North Carolina mountains. She is the author of three books, Dawn of Day, a middle-grade historical fiction novel; Trinity Tales of Tresia: A … Continue
Mellin, Jane
I’m a retired technologist who has written several novels (and some short stories now and again). Though basically shy, I enjoy telling stories and use my visual and atmospheric talents without overwhelming the audience. Back … Continue
Mendenhall, Ann
Ann Causey Mendenhall has heard and shared stories all her life, just ask her older brother. By the time Ann was in third grade she knew that teaching was her calling. Youth Services Specialist for … Continue
Mendenhall, Ray
“Here comes the Jolly man … he’ll tell you a story or two.” Jolly man stories is the experience of Amazing Songs and Whimsical Stories shared through the art and antics of Ray Mendenhall. Ray … Continue
Miller, Elena
Enthusiastic, quick witted, energetic, humorous performer, Elena Diana Miller, creates happy faces for children and adults with her programs of folk music and creative stories from Aesop, Grimm and Jack Tales. Her storytelling and folk … Continue
Moss, Marva
I began storytelling, by telling stories to my own children. Today my storytelling appeals to adults and children alike. I have used storytelling in the classroom to enhance the literary experience of my students. My … Continue
Mount, Denise
I was born and raised in Western New York and came to Georgia via Oklahoma and Texas. Presently I am a board member of Southern Order of Storytellers and co-founder with my husband, Mike, of … Continue
Newcomb, Cora
Cora lives in the old and charming seaside village of Beaufort, South Carolina. She first began to spun tales to her daughter and then to youngsters, oldsters, and those between, weaving magic with enchanting yarns. … Continue
O’Connell, Rebekah
Rebekah is a North Carolina native. She made her career in the nonprofit world as a financial educator teaching hundreds of classes throughout the Carolinas. Today, she enjoys the lighter side of life as a … Continue
Pace, Doyle
For most of my life I have been interested in collecting, preserving and telling stories. The main focus of my interest are the stories of the life, love, lore and legends of the people of … Continue
Payne, Sylvia
Sylvia Payne grew up listening to her mother tell family stories. Through her animated style Sylvia’s stories captivate young and old alike, sometimes stretching deep into the soul. A former children’s librarian, she has been … Continue
Pearlman, Larry
Combined a successful 30 year career in sales, sales training and public speaking with teaching spiritual classes and acting as a Minister for Emissary Ministry. Author of two books encouraging people to discover and express … Continue
Pearsall, Sam
I am a retired ecologist with 35 years of experience planning and implementing land conservation and environmental protection in Maine, Tennessee, Hawaii, Samoa, and North Carolina. Since retirement, I have become a professional storyteller whose … Continue
Perry, Michael
As a lifelong learner with an M.S.Ed from Duquesne University. Mike’s broad and adventurous career experience has taken him from the circus to the Census Bureau, from major motion pictures to maintenance man. He has … Continue
Ramsey, Claire
Claire Vera Ramsey (though she didn’t know it) was a storyteller before she could write. Claire would take recycled scrap paper and draw stories in picture after picture. In 2007, she turned the part-time storytelling … Continue
Rarey, Kanute
Kanute is a story lover and storyteller. He writes and performs his stories from his heart. That work is a product of his life experiences and imagination. His goal to engage actively his audience and … Continue
Raxter, Cynthia
“We are born with a love of stories inside us. We literally spend our lives waiting and listening for the next story.” Cynthia lives in the former mill village of Bynum, NC with 4 cats, … Continue
Reeder, Nancy
Nancy is an educator, storyteller, and writer. She taught elementary school for 23 years where her passion for storytelling developed. Her stories range from myths and legends to folk tales and fairy tales, with her … Continue
Regan-Blake, Connie
With playful elegance, Connie Regan-Blake transforms an audience into an intimate circle of friends. From old-timey mountain tales to surprising, heroic adventures of everyday living, her school assemblies, family, and adult performances are flavored with … Continue
Rollins, Terry
With his mercurial and mischievous energy, and his friendly down home style, Terry Rollins is one of North Carolina’s favorite tellers of ghost stories, pirate legends, and NC folk tales. Terry is also the guide … Continue
Shealy, Wallace
“It is no surprise to me he has been telling tales since he could talk and I often had to warm his rear for it.” — Wallace’s Dad Wallace was born in Aiken, SC but … Continue
Simmons, Annette
Annette Simmons is a writer, trainer and consultant. She is the author of four books: The Story Factor (Basic Books, 3rd ed 2019) named as one of The 100 Best Business Books of All Time … Continue
St. Clair, Charlie
I have been telling stories to family and friends all my life. All my stories are true…some of them actually happened. Some of my stories are humorous, some will make you think. All of them … Continue
Stone, Becky
Becky Stone, a native Philadelphian, has lived in Fairview, NC for the last 38 years where she and her husband raised their four children and publish a garden quarterly called “GreenPrints” (greenprints.com). She has a … Continue
Sturm, Brian
Dr. Brian Sturm has been a professional folktale storyteller and storytelling scholar for over 15 years. His research focuses on immersion, the state of being completely engrossed in whatever you are doing, whether that’s reading, … Continue
Sundell, Jon
Through five decades as a professional storyteller and folksinger Jon Sundell has proven himself to be an outstanding interpreter of folk tradition. In nearly half of the United States, as well as several countries of … Continue
Tarowsky, Judi
Judi Tarowsky was a newspaper reporter and editor for more than 25 years and told other people’s stories. Now, as a storyteller, she gets to tell her own. Judi is a native of Latrobe, PA, … Continue
Tate, Steve
Steve’s stories are about farmers and farm life. His tales often include animals and outside adventures. And they tell about universal experiences like fear, failure, bravery, and love. They are guaranteed to entertain, educate, and … Continue
Todd, Donna Marie
Donna Marie Todd is a professional storyteller, TEDx speaker, recording artist, singer, writer, teaching artist and retreat leader. She is a multi-faceted artist who delivers perfectly-crafted performances that combine her talents as a speaker, writer, … Continue
Town, Vicky
Vicky Town is an interactive storyteller, writer, and teaching artist who has been delighting audiences with her unique blend of physical comedy and love of language since 1988. From the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia … Continue
Vezza, Vincent
The first-born son of a career militant officer, I grew up on U.S. Army bases around the world. I received a BA degree in Political Science and MS degree in Education. Following graduate studies, I … Continue
Vogel, Henry
Former comic book writer Henry Vogel is a regionally renowned storyteller with a lively and energetic delivery. Henry tells original stories as well as traditional folk tales. He has a fondness for “noodlehead” stories, funny … Continue
Washington, Donna
Donna Washington has been a professional storyteller for over twenty years. She uses an expressive face and vocal pyrotechnics to bring stories to life. She has been featured at national festivals around the country. Donna … Continue
Whitt, Greg
Greg Whitt has received three competitive Regional Artist Project Grants in the field of folkloric music. With a graduate certificate in Transformative Leadership & Social Change from the Maryland University of Integrative Health, he shares … Continue
Williams, Currie
Currie is known as the Apple Lady. She’s a folk artist storyteller and author. Currie began telling stories to her younger brothers and sister. She discovered that illustrating her stories made them more understandable. Listeners, … Continue
Wilson, Mary Lou
My professional teaching background is in preschool, where telling stories, acting out stories, and singing were a big part of the curriculum. Later I told stories to youth groups at my church. More recently I … Continue
Winkler, Deborah
Storytelling flings wide the doors and windows to worlds within and without. It is a one to one experience for every person within earshot. Truth be told, Deborah relishes every opportunity to share stories as … Continue
Wise, Chris
Retired soldier. Songmaker, Storyteller — making little effort to separate song, story, truth, meditations on the meaning of truth, and outright lies. Raleigh, NC 919.749.0218 jchriswise@nc.rr.com
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