Read some recent
newspaper articles about Karen!
The Oakland Press ~ February 7,
2006
(PDF format, 466KB)
The Detroit Free Press ~ November
4, 2006
(PDF format, 350KB)
As a storyteller, singer, songwriter
and musician,
Karen's unique performances combine music and tale to teach,
engage, encourage and tickle the funny bone. Her collaboration of
character and story reveal colorful images in the minds of listeners. From
stage to elementary classrooms, campfires to coffee houses, Karen's music,
voice and stories inspire audiences of all ages.
Linking her music and theatrical
work with the traditions of Storytelling, Karen incorporates physical
animation, characters, and stories & songs both old and new. Accompanying
herself on autoharp and mountain dulcimer, she creates an energetic
experience of song & story. Karen also gets her audiences involved, with
her unique collection of "call and response", "make some rhythm", and
"follow the movement" songs.
Karen has been a Performing Artist
since childhood, and has been involved in a variety of performance roles.
In 1996, Karen discovered the world of storytelling, and has been
mesmerized, enchanted and engaged in the art form ever since.
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Karen is available for assemblies and
artist-in-residence programs, PTA meetings, child care centers, community
education programs, bookstores, camps and campfires, community and
neighborhood events, preschool programs, conferences, libraries, museums,
parties, festivals and fairs, scouting programs, classrooms, nursing
homes, coffee houses, weddings, block parties, parks and recreation
programs, birthday parties, shopping malls, company picnics, church
events, grand openings, family reunions ... and much more!
Karen's
performance programs,
workshops, classes and camps
offer "edutainment" through the art of Stories and Music.
Contact Karen for prices and booking
details.
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Please
click HERE if you would like
to be added to my email list to receive
notices of upcoming performances,
workshops, classes and summer camp programs!
— Karen |
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Storytelling, the art of telling a
tale from the heart, creates rich images in the minds of both listener and
teller. Literature comes alive and audiences become immersed.
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Storytelling and Song connect all of us in the most
fundamental way. Stories and Song help us to figure out who we are and
enable us to share wisdom through our experiences and our history.
Storytelling and Song are for
everyone! Families, children and adults all enjoy great stories and music.
Storytelling and Song have the unique
capability of letting audiences interact as both listeners and
participants.
Storytelling and Song are wonderful tools to use in supplementing
curriculum and character education.
Storytelling and Song programs
promote literacy through listening, reading and comprehension building.
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"As a storyteller, you catch us up in the moment. As a musician and
songwriter, you know what will get us toe-tapping and swaying to the
music. You have a heart for kids of all ages and know what we like. You
certainly can tickle our funny bones!"
—Darlene Williams,
Librarian, Walled Lake Library
"With your stories, you've taken my
students to places they've never been! Through your expression and
movement, the children are captured in the story 'til the end. Thank you
also for your advice on how they can become storytellers, too!"
—Diane Mitchell, Teacher, Oakley Park Elementary
"Both times I hired Karen, she had
the children engaged, singing, and also had them asking, 'Does she have to
leave now?' She was the perfect entertainment for our neighborhood
camp-out. The second event was a school function, where more than 150
children and adults participated. Karen had both the kids and adults
captivated."
—Amy Strauss, Parent and Community and School Volunteer
"During Karen's
storytelling class, I watched my son bloom. Karen captured the
children's attention with her amazing storytelling and qualities of an
exceptional teacher. At the end of the program there was a graduating
performance, and my son—who often avoids talking to people—was in front
of an audience, storytelling. He was relaxed, smiling, animated, and
funny!"
—Carrie
Schwinnen, Parent
... and from Little
Listeners ...
"You were lots and lots and lots
of fun, 'cause those were very good stories."
"You are the best storyteller
ever, even because I never saw one before."
"I liked it when you made those
noises."
From Karen's
Students ...
"Can you make your class
longer next time?"
"Please come back and teach
us again next year."
"I am always so excited to
tell people the whale story I learned, and I am adding lots of my own
ideas."
... and Workshop
Attendees ...
"A heartfelt thank you on
behalf of the Storytellers Guild. You truly made a wonderful experience
for everyone. Your workshop techniques were just what we needed to wrap
up our orientation theme for the year. Your music was an inspiring
delight."
"So many songs and laughs.
I'm wide awake and enjoying myself. Excellent resources."
"Karen was inspiring and
motivated me to pick up a musical instrument."
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