Members as of December 2007
additions/corrections made monthly as needed
In order to help combat email spam, we have replaced the @ symbol in email addresses with [at]. Please replace the @ symbol when sending an email.
Jean Bolley
12147 Chandler Rd.; Bath MI 48808
Phone: 517-485-5185
Evening: 517-281-8036
Email: bolleyj[at]cadl.org
Jean Bolley loves stories and it shows in her presentations. Her warm, casual style draws listeners in, letting the stories work their magic. Jean has a master's degree in storytelling and 15 years of experience with schools, libraries, and community groups.
Karen Czarnik
3129 Old Farm Ln.; Walled Lake MI 48390
Phone: 248-669-0381
Email: karen[at]storyrhythms.com
Website: www.storyrhythms.com
As a storyteller, singer, songwriter and musician, Karen Czarnik's unique performances combine music and tale to engage, encourage and tickle the funny bone. Linking her musical and theatrical work with the traditions of Storytelling, Karen's collaboration of character and story stirs the imagination. Accompanying herself on autoharp and mountain dulcimer, she creates an energetic experience of song & story. From stage to elementary classrooms, campfires to coffee houses, Karen's music, voice and stories inspire audiences of all ages.
Anita Linnéa Harms
2147 Blodgett Street; Muskegon MI 49441-1513
Phone: 231-755-0126
Email: veslealfh[at]alldial.net
Storyteller, Writer, Drama Workshop Coordinator
Brenda Harris
708 W. Hamilton; Flint MI 48504
Phone: 810-249-2170
Evening: 810-235-7879
Email: beyondwallz[at]gmail.com
Yvonne Healy
5193 King Road; Howell MI 48843
Phone: 810-225-2204
Email: stories[at]yhealy.com
Website: www.yhealy.com
Mythology, the Irish love of language, and her outrageous family and theatrical background inspire Yvonne's storytelling performances across the Midwest. Spirits rise and skills expand in her dynamic workshop and residencies.
Patricia Kjolhede
8376 Woodbury Rd.; Laingsburg MI 48848
Phone: 517-651-6301
Email: tunesntales[at]yahoo.com
Website: www.tunesntales.com
Tricia tells stories and sings songs to kids of all ages. She has presented workshops for teachers, librarians, and church groups. Her interactive presentations are entertaining and fun.
Frances Kondek
8740 Deja Rd.; Edmore MI 48829
Phone: 989-427-5801
Email: frakon[at]cmsinter.net
Rob McCabe
640 S. Brady #408; Dearborn MI 48124-2355
Phone: 313-608-6158
Email: rob_mccabe[at]netzero.net
Website: www.storyteller.net/members/rmccabe
Storyteller Rob McCabe offers a wide variety of programs for all ages: "It's All Greek to Me," (a cornucopia of Greek myths and legends), "Around the World in a Daze," (world folktales), and others. He holds storytelling workshops and is a coach for beginning storytellers.
Kathy Montgomery
7826 Cloverhill Dr.; Lansing MI 48917
Phone: 517-627-3540
Email: storyk1[at]aol.com
Mary Murphy
1605 Lindy Dr.; Lansing MI 48917
Phone: 517-321-2297
Email: mmurph6279[at]aol.com
Judy Schmidt
3214 Williamsburg Rd.; Ann Arbor MI 48108
Phone: 734-971-5763
Email: fransdotir[at]aol.com
Retired from 30 years as a school librarian, I now spend my days bicycling, quilting, storytelling, and leading outdoor education field trips. Helped form the group called Schoolfolk, which produced Tellabration in Ann Arbor for 10 years, and am now an active member of the Ann Arbor Storytellers' Guild.
Barbara Schutzgruber
2855 Kimberly; Ann Arbor MI 48104
Phone: 734-761-5118
Email: barb[at]weavestory.com
Website: www.weavestory.com
Gutsy girls, wise women, tricksters and string come to life as Barbara weaves string stories and folktales, sings ballads and shares the history and legends of Michigan. Her comfortable, spontaneous style, rich voice and flawless pacing conjure images from the depth of your imagination. She performs for audiences of all ages across the United States. Her recordings have won 2 Parents' Choice Gold Awards (audio 1991/2000), an ALA Notable Award (audio 1993), and 2 Storytelling World Award Honors (video 1996/audio 2000).
Marjorie Shaefer
25245 Maplebrooke Dr.; Southfield MI 48033
Phone: 313-570-0726
Evening: 248-213-3889
Email: mogoose2[at]earthlink.net
Marjorie tells rhymes, fables, and stories such as "Simply Mother Goose," "Grandma Joined the Army," "Out On the Overland Trail," and others at schools, libraries, churches, festivals and fairs.
Judy Sima
7433 Parkdale; Bloomfield MI 48322
Phone: 248-644-3951
Email: Judy[at]JudySima.com
Website: www.JudySima.com
Well-known throughout Michigan, Judy's warm and inviting storytelling programs combine folk, traditional, and modern tales with humor, songs, and lots of audience participation. Her informative, interactive workshops are sought after at educational, library and storytelling conferences all over the country. Sharing her ideas in Storytelling Magazine, Book Links, Tales as Tools and a new book - Raising Voices: Creating Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes (Libraries Unlimited), she helps others to become better tellers. Judy's enthusiasm is contagious.
Lois Sprengnether Keel
5640 Farley Rd.; Clarkston MI 48346
Phone: 248-625-5848
Email: LoiSsez[at]earthlink.net
Website: http://home.earthlink.net/`loissez
LoiS is a librarian, storyteller, & puppeteer telling tales of the Great Lakes & around the world, including spooky tales of the region & world.
Dick Strader
178 Feld Avenue; Battle Creek MI 49037
Phone: 269-963-6830
Email: dstrader40[at]yahoo.com
Weaving enthusiastic tellings of intriguing trickster characters and other folktales from many world cultures, Strader captivates audiences of all ages with his lively antics and words of humor and surprise.
Jenifer Strauss
1061 West Sager Rd; Hastings MI 49058
Phone: 269-945-4943
Email: jenifer[at]storybetold.com
Website: www.storybetold.com
"Let a Story be Told…Let a Story be Heard…Let a Story be told Again"
For more than a decade, Michigan Storyteller Jenifer Strauss has been sharing enthusiastic, participatory tales from around the world and within the shared human experience with audiences throughout the Midwest. A former environmental educator and elementary teacher, Jenifer combines her love for teaching and storytelling to offer dynamic Storytelling Performances, Workshops and Writing Residencies for all ages. Jenifer's style is dynamic and thought provoking…Heartwarming and sometimes outrageous!
Danielle Todd
4215 McGinnis Rd.; Holly MI 48442-8800
Phone: 248-819-2243
Email: storiesuncovered[at]yahoo.com
Website: www.storiesuncovered.com
Storyteller~actor~artist. This talented youth storyteller has performed in several states. Danielle was selected as one of the MI showcased storytellers for the MI Storytelling Festival 2005 in Flint MI. She has won three times in a row the Oakland County 4H Performing Arts Best of Show award (2005, 2004, 2003). Frances Runnells (Brandon Public Library) states "Danielle's storytelling is magical! Any audience would be mesmerized by her narration. Her original dragon poem was OUTSTANDING, and her participation stories were a lot of fun!!!" Danielle is available for libraries, schools, day-cares, special events, festivals, birthdays, youth groups and her favorite group - 4H groups.
La'Ron Williams
5 Southwick Ct.; Ann Arbor MI 48105
Phone: 734-665-0857
Email: larontalk[at]aol.com
Carlene Zollner
83 N. Minges; Battle Creek MI 49015
Phone: 269-963-0722
Email: carlenerz[at]comcast.net