New England School Performing Artists Directory, Science, sea

NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTIST DIRECTORY

SCIENCE

THE SEA

MUSIC

photo of Tom Callinan and Ann Shapiro

TOM CALLINAN and ANN SHAPIRO

c/o Crackerbarrel Entertainments
55 East Town Street
Norwich, CT 06360-2345
Phone and Fax: (860) 889-6648
E-Mail: tom.c@crackerbarrel-ents.com
Website: http://www.crackerbarrel-ents.com/tomann01.htm
For over 30 years, the husband and wife team of Tom Callinan and Ann Shapiro has toured an assortment of informative and entertaining participatory programs throughout the Eastern Seaboard of the United States for audiences as diverse as nursery schools through nursing homes. Whether appearing as solo artists or as their duo, they blend their extensive repertoire of songs, which span many centuries, with an impressive array of instruments from the wind, string, and percussion families. As storytellers, they were among the Featured Tellers at the National Storytelling Festival (1999), and "Tellers-In-Residence" at the International Storytelling Center (2003). Their stories are told in-tandem or individually, embellished with humor, music, sound effects, and audience involvement. Each has been designated a Master Teaching Artist by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
Tom, a former junior high school teacher with a B.S. in Secondary Education from Central Connecticut State University, and a M.A.L.S. from Wesleyan University, has written over 100 songs about Connecticut – more than anyone in history. Via legislation passed by the Connecticut General Assembly, and signed by then-Governor Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., Tom was designated Connecticut's first "Official State Troubadour" in 1991. His credits include: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; "Good Morning America"; "Shining Time Station"; among many others. Honors include: composing songs included in Emmy Award-winning documentaries and co-writing songs on Parents Choice Gold Award recordings, among others.
In addition to her work as a creative and performing artist, Ann also serves as the Executive Director of the Connecticut Storytelling Center, in-residence at Connecticut College. Ann is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards, including: The National Storytelling Network’s 2005 ORACLE Leadership and Service Award For The Northeastern United States; the 2008 Brother Blue and Ruth Hill Award from LANES (The League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling); and the 2009 Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship Recipient from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
Tom and Ann have produced over a dozen recordings on CD and cassette (see website: www.Crackerbarrel-Ents.com). A downloadable order form is available at www.crackerbarrel-ents.com/Catalog/Order%20Form.htm, and printed study-guides pertaining to their Arts-In-Education programs are available on request. Information about teacher-training, consulting services, and custom songwriting are available as well.
Program Titles: Environmental Hootenanny; From Sea to Shining Sea; Brother Against Brother; Young America; Come On & Sing-Along; I'm Gonna Write a Song; Home Fires; Imagine Menagerie; Thumbs-Up for Connecticut; Sea Songs, Chanteys, and Nautical Lore; Irish and Irish-American Songs, Tunes, and Tales; Getting Along; Holiday Hodge-Podge, and more.
Audience Limit: 30/class; 300/assembly
Fees: Assembly- $500/solo [1st show. 2nd show @ $300]; $750/duo [1st show. 2nd show @ $450]; Classroom- $500 per day/4 classes-solo. Travel is included within Connecticut. Out of state: 55¢ per mile, round-trip from Norwich, CT.
Funding Sources: Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, New England Foundation for the Arts, BOCES (New York).
Special Requirements: Access to performance space 45 minutes before first show

TOM CALLINAN and DON SINETI

c/o Crackerbarrel Entertainments
55 East Town Street
Norwich, CT 06360-2345
Phone and Fax: (860) 889-6648
E-Mail: tom.c@crackerbarrel-ents.com
Website: http://www.crackerbarrel-ents.com/don_and_tom.htm

With banjo, concertina, guitar, spoons, bodhran, ocarina, penny whistles, bones, and limberjack, Tom and Don are masters of generating audience participation. Their infectious performing style blends sea songs and traditional folksongs with folk-revival and original compositions. Sea chanteys (work songs), done in powerful harmony, recall the days of wooden ships and iron men. Ballads and songs about the environment and the plight of the world's endangered whales bring out their more sensitive side. Effortlessly, the duo shifts gears from ballads, to toe-tapping instrumentals, to silly ditties. They are ideal for inter-generational/family audiences and fund-raisers.

Their programs can be specific or eclectic in theme, depending on the needs of the sponsoring organization (school, library, museum, etc.). Some feature the implementation of "home-made" apparatus to simulate the experience of working on a ship for volunteers selected from the audience. Rhythm instruments are often distributed to volunteers selected from the audience to form a "foo-foo" band, reminiscent of those found in immigrant communities, or on ship-board in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th Centuries. Music, songs, Don's award-winning illustrations, slides, and an assortment of hands-on artifacts raise the lecture/demo format to a multi-media experience.

Program Titles: Songs & Tales of Ships & Whales; Folksongs - Old & New; Songs For the Earth; Instruments & Instrumentals; Drawn By the Song of the Sea (Illustrations/Slides & Music).

Audience Limit: 30/class; 300/assembly

Fees: Assembly- $500/solo [1st show. 2nd show @ $300]; $750/duo [1st show. 2nd show @ $450]; Classroom- $500 per day/4 classes-solo. Travel is included within Connecticut. Out of state: 35¢ per mile, round-trip from Clinton, CT.

Funding Sources: Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, New England Foundation for the Arts, BOCES (in New York)

Special Requirements: Access to performance space 45 minites before first show

PAUL KAPLAN

203 Heatherstone Road
Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 253-9484
E Mail: phkaplan@yahoo.com
Website: www.paulkaplanmusic.com

Paul Kaplan believes that music is unique in its ability to cross the boundaries of time and place, opening minds and hearts along the way. His programs include "Songs Around the World," adaptable to include music from cultures of your choice, "American Folksong Singalong," "Songs of the Sea," "Immigration Songs," "Songs for the Earth," and three interactive seasonal shows for young people: "Fall Frolic," "Wonders of Winter," and "Sing for Spring." Also, with bagpiper Larry Cole, "Music of the Isles (England, Ireland and Scotland)," and "The World of Bagpipes." All shows feature many opportunities for audience participation.

Program Title: Songs Around the World, Folk Singalong, Songs of the Sea, Songs for the Earth, Music of the Isles (England, Ireland and Scotland), Fall Frolic, Wonders of Winter, Sing for Spring

Audience Size: 350

Fee: $300 for one show; $450 for two; travel negotiable

Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council (event)

STEVE SCHUCH

Night Heron Music
267 Center Road
Hillsboro, NH 03244
(800) 785-9678
E Mail: info@nightheron.com
Website: http://www.NightHeron.com

Join award-winning musician, author, and storyteller STEVE SCHUCH on a voyage of discovery. Striking pieces for violin and whales... magical tales of from around the world... lively singing, fun with languages, and the science of sound... all are part of Steve’s wide-ranging repertoire. Music and story selections are grade level appropriate, exemplifying arts education at its best. All programs include a free set of Books, CD’s and Educator Prep Materials. Steve offers encouragement for young writers and musicians as well. Honors include Artist Fellowships, composer awards and five fiddling championships. Steve’s musical story, A Symphony of Whales, received five national book awards, and his children’s recording, Trees of Life, a Parents’ Choice Gold Award. Schools often include an Author Book/CD Signing with a portion of the proceeds going back to the school. Details at: www.NightHeron.com.

"Warmth and storytelling magic." –Los Angeles Times

"Exceptionally fine... Schuch brings as much skill and intelligence to folk music as he does to classical." –The Boston Globe

Sample Program: A Symphony of Whales
Learn about whales, their songs and their encounters with humans. Listen to a true tale of arctic rescue and hear Steve’s unforgettable“Whale Trilogy” –– a solo violin piece played with these mysterious songs of the deep. Weaving together science and performance, this program includes material from Steve’s travels, CD’s and award-winning book, A Symphony of Whales. “Riveting indeed.” –Smithsonian

Program Titles: A Symphony of Whales; The Author’s Story; Songs & Tales Around the World; Music & Tales of Ireland; Songs & Tales of the Earth; Life in a Third World Village (music & slide program); Roots of Rhythm & Harmony; Fiddler on the Loose; Imagination & the Art of Storytelling; The Writer's Workshop; Parent/Educator Workshops; Family Concerts; Artist Residencies.

Audience Limit: 250/assembly; 30/workshop; call to discuss Family Concerts and Artist Residencies

Fee: Contact artist for details.

Funding Sources: Title II Grants, New England Foundation for the Arts, New Hampshire Arts Council, B.O.C.E.S. (New York)

MARK SHEPARD - DrumSongStory

589 Chapel Street, #3
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 495-8808
E-Mail: mark@markshepard.com
Website: http://www.DrumSongStory.com

Mark Shepard is a multi-disciplinary performing and teaching artist who uses drums, songs and stories to interactively engage, entertain and educate audiences of all ages in performances, workshops and staff development programs. He is on the roster of the CT Commission on ther Arts as a performer as well as a "Master Teaching Artist". He has released 12 CDs of original songs and stories. In addition to his music and storytelling, he is a board certified master practitioner and trainer of NLP and speaks nationally on learning and communication skills.

Program Titles: DrumSongStory; Breathing Underwater; Funky Monkey! Pumpkin Pie!; Birds; Beyond the Borders; Trickster Tales; Beneath the Northern Star, Mysts & Magick; The Drum of the Elephant King; The Talking Drum; Captured By the Iroquois; Abi Yo Yo; Brothers of the Drum; Shifting Shape

Audience Limit: 350/assembly

Fees: Negotiable

Funding Sources: Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, New England Foundation for the Arts

YANKEE NOTIONS

Jim Douglas
53 Whittemore Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
(508) 347-2065
Fax: (508) 213-2333
E Mail: jim.douglas@nichols.edu
Website: www.timvanegmond.com

Years ago, friends and neighbors gathered at community and family events to share stories, play tunes and sing songs. Times have changed, but those songs, tunes and stories continue to delight, especially when performed by Yankee Notions.

Yankee Notions is Jim Douglas and Tim Van Egmond. Both are accomplished singers, storytellers, and musicians (guitar, hammered dulcimer, English concertina, pennywhistle, Appalachian dulcimer). Performing throughout New England for close to 20 years, Yankee Notions has been featured in hundreds of community concerts and festivals, schools, libraries, senior centers, and heritage museums (including Old Sturbridge Village (MA), Historic Deerfield (MA), Mystic Seaport (CT), Old Bethpage Village Restoration (NY), and Plimoth Plantation (MA)).

Because of their extensive repertoire and experience in working with audiences of all ages in a wide variety of situations, Yankee Notions can provide a concert program tailored to your audience’s interests and needs. (We also provide indoor/outdoor sound system at no extra cost.)

Sample School Programs Include:

A Peddler’s Pack: An eclectic mix from New England and beyond. Lively Irish and French Canadian tunes, traditional and contemporary songs sung in two-part harmony.
The Sailor’s Trade: Shanties (work songs) and fo’c’sle songs (songs for recreation) from the days of ‘wooden ships and iron men.’
The Jolly Farmer: Perfect for agricultural fairs and the like. Songs and tunes from 18th and 19th century New England, when ‘the farmer was the man’
Seasonal/Holiday Samplers: Whether it’s a Harvest Festival, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, First Night, Old Home Day, St. Patrick’s Day or other special day, here’s the entertainment to help celebrate it in style!

Program Titles: A Peddler's Pack; The Sailor's Trade; The Jolly Farmer; Seasonal/Holiday Samplers

Fee: Starts at $650 for 2 assemblies, same day, same school. Block booing discounts available.

Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts

PUPPETRY

photo of KLS

KLS Magic Castle Puppet Theater

Andrea O'Regan
24 Pearl Street Extension
Beverly, MA 01915
Toll Free: (866) 236-8208
E Mail: KLSPuppets@aol.com
Website: klspuppets.homestead.com
The KLS Magic Castle Puppet Theater has been performing in schools and libraries for more than 14 years. Providing science enrichment for the lower elementary grades, our puppet theater can be set up in your caf, auditorium, library or classroom. Included are topics from the Curriculum Frameworks. Shows are interactive and include music. Children receive opportunities for growth of imagination and creative expression. (Prior to working in puppetry Andrea O'Regan was an elementary science teacher, graduating from Northeastern University with Graduate level work in the Creative Arts Program at Lesley University.)
Program Title: Oceans Away; Animals in Winter; The Pirate's Missing Pumpkin (Halloween); A Long Winter's Nap; Giorgio's Springtime Soup; Dinosaurs; The Rain Forest; The Amazing Life Cycle of the Butterfly. Animal Hibernation shows appropriate for each grade PreK through 3. Now offering Bullying Prevention Programs for K-4.
Audience Grade Level Suitability: PreK - 4
Audience Size: 250/assembly
Special Requirements: Electricity
Fee: $250 and up.

   DIANE  KORDAS  ROMPER  RHYTHM  AND  PUPPETS

Diane Kordas
P.O. Box 181
Chester, NH 03036
603-315-3083
Email: diane@romperrhythm.com
Website: http://www.romperrhythm.com
Diane Kordas brings stories to life with puppets and music, either with a staged puppet show production or with songs and short puppet skits. Lots of humor and audience participation are highlights of each program. Great for preschools and day care centers, schools, libraries, birthday parties, recreation centers and more.
*NH Council on the Arts Touring Artist and New England Foundation for the Arts (link) *Winner of Children's Music Web award for her Dinosaur Stomp CD.
Program Titles: Friendly Forest Folktales; Bremen Town Musicians; Pirates, Ahoy!; Elves and the Shoemaker with the Gingerbread Man; Sir George and the Dragon; Outerspace Adventures!. Shadow Puppet show: Chicken Little and other Tales. Residencies, workshops, Teacher Training workshops. See www.romperrhythm.com for new shows and updates
Grade Level Suitability: pre-K - 3 for most programs, workshops and residencies for K-12
Audience Limits: 250
Special Requirements: I supply my own puppet stage, sound, lighting_and need a grounded 3 prong outlet to plug into.
Fee: Starts at $300, discount for block bookings
Funding Sources: New England Touring Roster, New England Foundation for the Arts; New Hampshire State Council for the Arts

STORYTELLING

   KAREN   CHACE

97 Chipaway Road
East Freetown, MA 02717
(508) 763-8565
E Mail: storybug@aol.com
Website: www.storybug.net
Since 2000 Karen has presented her enthusiastic, interactive, and participatory programs at libraries, conferences and schools around the country. She is also the founder and director of a student storytelling program and since 2002 she has mentored over 200 student storytellers. She is a contributing author to the National Storytelling Network's recent publications, A Beginner’s Guide to Storytelling and Telling Stories to Children and writes a regular column for Storytelling Magazine and offers a free bi-monthly storytelling/education newsletter at http://storybugnewsletter.blogspot.com. Her conference presentations include the National Storytelling Conference, Youth, Educators and Storytelling (YES), Sharing the Fire, and the Northland’s Storytelling Network.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature, she combines her passion for literacy and storytelling in delightful programs of stories from around the world. Karen believes that storytelling inspires students, offering them opportunities to succeed in ways they never imagined!

“Karen catches the children and never lets them go.” Karen Allen, New Bedford Whaling Museum, MA

Residencies
Story by Story - Building A Student Storytelling Troupe
An experienced educator, Karen combines her teaching skills with her vast knowledge of storytelling to create a School Storytelling Club. During school hours or after school, Karen will work with your students on the dynamics of storytelling. From the page to the stage, students will learn the anatomy of a story, research skills, story selection, and story presentation. The residency culminates in a student Story Festival. In addition, Karen can tailor the residency to include individual student coaching.

Program Titles: Jaws, Claws and Paws: Animal Stories From Around the World; Tales With Scales: Fish Stories From Around the World; The Trickster Tour; The Treasure Chest; Book A Trip Around the World; Winter Wonderland; Spooktacular Stories; The Spirit of the Season; Pathways to Peace; Dragon Tales
Workshop/Residencies: Storytelling With Ease; Story by Story – Building a School Storytelling Club; S.T.A.R. (Stories Teach and Reach); Researching Stories on the Internet
Audience Limit: 25/class; 200/assembly
Fee: $250 plus travel; Block Booking rates available. Residencies, Teacher's In-services and Conferences vary and are negotiable
Possible Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council

   DIANE EDGECOMB

PO Box 300016
Boston, MA 02130
(617) 522-4335
E Mail: dedge@livingmyth.com
Website: www.livingmyth.com
For over twenty years, Diane has been bringing top quality storytelling assemblies to schools and educational institutions. Her gifts as a storyteller, educator and communicator make her as appreciated by teachers as she is by students with many repeat engagements requested. The effortless way Diane's programs bring educational information into an entertaining format inspire the most reluctant learners to open up their imaginations. From Nature and Science programming to performances representing unusual cultures, including Native American Nature Myths and the Kurds of the Middle East, each performance is the result of careful and thorough research. Visit her website or look below through the Seasonal, Cultural, and Nature offerings for programs like Insect Comedy, Digging Dinosaurs, Tales for the Earth, Welcome in the Spring, Rainforest Legends and more to bring an entertaining assembly to your school with Diane Edgecomb one of New England’s favorite storytellers. Different material and stories are told depending on whether the assembly is for K-2 or 3-6th grade. Each performance comes with an extensive curriculum package, which includes both science-based and language-based activities.
Dear Diane: I was just putting away my files for this year's enrichment programs at Steward School and I wanted to mention that you had an overwhelmingly positive response from the teachers here. Their comments included, "She kept 5 classes mesmerized!" "She was masterful at knowing when the students needed a motor break" and "She really engaged them with her stories!" One teacher suggested that you give workshops to teachers on how to tell a story! Should you ever need a reference, please don't hesitate to have someone contact me. We hope to have you back to Steward again in the future!" Julie Sullivan, Enrichment Chair, Topsfield Elementary Schools, MA

"I would like to thank you for your terrific performance this afternoon. The students were completely captivated and thoroughly enjoyed your lively delivery, great expressions, interactive style and story content. Several of the teachers stopped me during the day to add their complements and enthusiasm about your program." Ellen Kassaraba, Wellington School PTO, Belmont, MA

Program Titles: For complete program descriptions, see http://www.livingmyth.com
Celebrate the Season

Tall Fall Tales: brings alive the autumn world of nature with original stories and songs sure to delight. Perfect for just starting out the school year. This performance centers on the star in the apple, fall colors and a young girl who just cannot sit still in class!
Once Upon a Wintertime: Warm your hearts and your imaginations with this performance of tales from long ago. These stories of wintertime magic and fun are drawn from many cultures ranging from the lyrical Grimms’ tale of Snow White and Rose Red to tales of folksy New England escapades.
Welcome in the Spring: Welcome in the spring with talking earthworms, nesting birds and kite flying adventures. The perfect accompaniment to this joyful season.
Summer Escapades: celebrates family fun with participatory stories chosen from Diane's best-loved family tales. Including a favorite story about a monkey who takes a wild ride on the back of a shark!
Once Upon a Halloween: This fun-filled Halloween event has a huge cauldron bubbling over with fog for the last dramatic story. All tales are appropriate for family audiences ages four to forever and contain a well-rounded blend of suspense and humor.

Explore Cultural Riches

Native American Nature Tales explores tribal myths and legends of the animals and birds of North America. Ranging from the humorous to the heart-felt, these stories celebrate native culture and its strong links to the natural world. Diane was given permission to tell these tales by many prominent Native authors.
European Tales of Enchantment: Enter the world of fairy tales where magic is only a moment away, and lessons about how to live are expressed through vivid symbols. Classic fairytales as well as unusual versions of familiar stories.
Fit for a King’s Ear: Diane Edgecomb accompanied by Margot Chamberlain on Celtic harp. This Medieval program is filled with tales of unusual princesses and Arthurian Knights.
A Fire in My Heart: Kurdish Folktales: Based on Diane's new book of Kurdish folktales, this program introduces students and families to this pivotal Middle Eastern culture. A map, anecdotes of her collecting experience and traditional dress and dance round out our exploration of this little known culture.
Irish Shenanigans: There is plenty of laughter and delight in this animated retelling of Ireland's best-loved gems. This performance is also available with Margot Chamberlain accompanying the program on Celtic harp.

Enter Nature’s Realm

Digging Dinosaurs: These popular dinosaur adventures complement their scientific facts with a happy dose of humor. Based on current scientific discoveries, this piece educates as it entertains.
Rainforest Legends: From the banks of the Amazon River to the heart of the West African jungle, Rainforest Legends brings to life favorite folktales and songs about the animals and plants of these lands.
Tales for the Earth: A Celebration of Nature and all the simple things we can do to help. What shines through the entire presentation is a love and respect for our place in nature; with many ideas communicated about how we can create a difference.
Insect Comedy: Insect Comedy takes a delightful look at our Six-legged friends. Diane's hilarious interpretations of Mr. Mosquito, Mr. Gnat, Old King Lampyradie Beetle keep us laughing as we take a closer look at the world of insects.
Night Lights: In Night Lights, unusual star myths take us on a multi-cultural voyage across the heavens. Listen in wonder as tales from Greece, Estonia, Native America, Kurdistan and Korea celebrate the magic of the night sky.
Audience Limit: Suggested maximum 250
Fee (including travel): $525 first show, $300 per additional show. Additional block booking rates available. Workshops $65 each when booked with a companion performance.
Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, Local Massachusetts Cultural Councils

   JACKSON   GILLMAN -   "Stand-Up   Chameleon"

PO Box 41
Onset, MA 02558
(508) 295-0886
E-Mail: jacksong@jacksongillman.com
Web site: www.jacksongillman.com
Sparkling with energy, wit and whimsy, the "Stand-Up Chameleon" magically transforms into a wide array of colorful characters. Through his many talents as songsmith, comic, mime and storyteller, Jackson engages and delights audiences of all ages with his highly visual and interactive performances. Many different shows to choose from including several educational nature programs. Has been a featured performer at festivals across the country. For 6-12 grades, his two substance abuse awareness presentations have been used annually by schools for their prevention programming. 30+ years experience, easy-going and flexible, references galore.
Program Titles:
Nature in Action, Story and Song - an educational romp on the wild and crazy side of natural science;
Riot in the Garden - fun-filled farm science, awarded Most Educational at the MOFGA Common Ground Fair;
BUGS! - doodlebugs, spiders, ants and other crawlies are featured in this low-life revue;
Once Upon a Tide - fun and fishy repertoire from the sandy beach to the briny deep;
On a Wing and a Song - a birds-eye view of the cycle of seasons;
Moon Crazy - captivating songs and stories to take you far away and pilot you happily home;

Autumn Wonders - a rich tapestry of the colors, sounds and smells in a heartwarming, story and song-filled celebration of the season;
Halloween Silly Willies - songs and stories to tickle your funny-bone without scaring your pants off;
Winter Wonders (or Holiday Huzzah for Christmas and/or Chanukah) - heartwarming celebrations of the seasons, holidays and the human spirit;
Spring Into Action and Song - celebrates spring and in all of its song-filled wonder;
The Man Who Planted Hope - an inspiring account of reforestation in Provence, adapted from the story by Jean Giono;

The Magic of Rudyard Kipling: Just So - the classic Just So Stories brought to life;
Levity in Motion - mime and stories for the family, airborne exploits and other childhood flights of fancy;
A Family Cabaret - an intergenerational look at daily rituals, wake-up to bedtime, from all perspectives;
The Dancing Man (with ASL) - lively, interactive songs and stories to move and groove with;

Harlequin and the Gift of Many Colors - stories of friendship performed with sign language;
Swamp Cake and Cattails - assembly program about anti-bullying and social acceptance, fancifully disguised as a prehistoric comedy with dinosaurs and dragons;
Hard Knocks - an intense one-man drama dealing with substance abuse within a family;
The Perfect High - a lighter-side look at the prevention of substance abuse;
Fee: starts at $375 + travel

Funding Sources: New England Foundation for the Arts

  MARY   JO   MAICHACK   MINSTREL/STORYTELLER

Maichack Arts
93 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 532-3667
Fax (413) 538-6023
E Mail: EmJay7@aol.com
Website: www.maryjomaichack.com/
Winner of two national awards (NAPPA Gold & Honors) for her CDs of storytelling & music, veteran singer and storyteller Mary Jo Maichack has "got it down to a science," says Pat Pierce of Newington's Lucy Robbins-Welles Library. Mary Jo offers a huge variety of themes for your library, school (prek-8), museum, festival or other venue, from summer reading club shows to school residencies and professional development workshops for teachers and parents in using storytelling as oral literacy skill-building. Fun. Fun. Fun. Aligned with learning standards. Easy, fun and businesslike in making arrangements. Free posters and press releases save you time.
Performer, creative teaching artist, cabaret singer and dynamic teller of folktales, Mary Jo's shows work because they are unusually interactive. In family and children's programs, your audiences sing, (MJ plays guitar) chant, play instruments, make sound effects, dance, act in costumes and have a ball. Vastly experienced (22 years) in any age-group or mix of ages. Using multicultural folktales at the heart of each program, Mary Jo weaves in music, dance & audience play. Please visit Web site for show descriptions from summer reading to preschools to Halloween and beyond. Winner, Julie Andrews Artist-in-Residence Award, Mass. Cultural Council Stars residency, NEFA touring artist can help fund your program. B.A. cum laude, English lit., Middlebury College. Extensive foreign language study.
"Clever and engaging," says School Library Journal, "A perfect choice for the literacy path," says L.A. Parent Magazine
As a cabaret singer interpreting the Great American Songbook, Mary Jo brings top notch professional pianists to accompany her and wow your audience--background or shows. Performed at Pittsfield Mass.'s Colonial Theatre, Cranwell Resort, Berkshire Forum.
Program Titles: Books Are Celebrations—the funniest reading show ever; Everybody Says Hello—Multilingual Fun in Story & Song; The People Could Fly/African-American Folktales and Music; Clever Maidens: Women's History in Folklore and Myth; Greek Myths—ALIVE!, Native American Tales; Skunk Grease & Turpentine (Hilarious Tall Tales & Tunes of American Pioneers); The Minstrel's Revels: A Medieval Romp; Or Would You Rather Be A Fish? Folklore & Songs of the Sea); Howlarious Halloween/Ghost Stories & Songs; Sun, Moon, Stars!; All Together Now/Stories & Songs to Celebrate Diversity; Round the World in Tales & Tunes multicultural show; The Lake of the Croaking Frogs and Other Tales & Tunes of Nature; Preschoolers’ Palooza!; Stinkbug Bugaloo: Stories & Songs of Insects; Meowls & Growls: Animal Tales; After-school programs incorporating performance with teaching kids storytelling skills; Workshops, in-service programs and residencies in storytelling for adults and children; “Oh, Behave! Family Audience Management Essentials for Event Hosts.”
Audience Limit: prefer audiences of 200 and under but will discuss any
Fee: $395 and up
Funding Source: Massachusetts Cultural Council, local councils, CT Humanities Council, other

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