Bill Harley – This critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter, author, musician and monologist is considered to be one of the best storytellers in the country. He celebrates commonality and humanity through comic narrative songs and confessional spoken works. While Harley has a religious studies degree, he found his calling in community service, not the seminary. He is a folk musician in the Seeger, Woody Guthrie tradition, who sings for social justice, environmental and political causes. He has recorded 28 albums, authored 8 children’s books, created theater projects “My Sarajevo,” a full-length play set during the Bosnian war, and “Stickeen,” a retelling of stories from the life of naturalist John Muir, and is a commentator for NPR’s All Things Considered. “Using a consummate storyteller’s toolbox of tone of voice, delivery, and pace, Harley creates something palpable between himself and his listeners.”
Lyn Ford – is a fourth-generation, nationally recognized, Afrilachian (of African American heritage and history, from the region called Appalachia) storyteller. She presents Home Fried Tales: folktale adaptations, spooky tales, and original stories rooted in her family’s multicultural Afrilachian storytelling traditions. Her stories are often enriched with call and response, choral response, rhythm and rhyme, humor and heart. Lyn says, “Our lives are patches of story, sewn together with the stitchery of mind, body, and Spirit. May each thread be spun with love.” She has received many awards including Oracle from the National Storytelling Network, and has been a teller in residence at Jonesborough. Lyn has published in storytelling magazines and newsletters, teachers’ enrichment books and story anthologies; and is a recording artist with award-winning CDs.
Robert Owens Greygrass – tells inspiring and fun original stories, comic personal narratives, and traditional Native American stories for all ages and demographics. Robert performs stand-up comedy and comic stories. He delivers rapid fire, intelligent personal stories, weird ironic experiences, and twisted insights into the human experience. “As I get older I want to have profound spiritual talks. Or, let’s tell some good jokes.” He is Lakota, talagee, French and Irish. Robert’s gift of purpose is to be a storyteller, actor and activist; his style reaches all levels from kindergarten through university and beyond. He has years of traditional spiritual practices, listening to the Elders, learning the Lakota language, stories and years of activism with the American Indian Cultural Center. He was awarded Storyteller of the year 1999 by Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers.
Will Hornyak – is a storyteller of immense power and presence. His attention to his audiences, plus a repertoire of dozens of myths, fables and folktales, has helped him find his way to the hearth of many communities over the years. A former history and journalism major at Marquette University, Hornyak enjoys finding “old ideas” from his collection of stories that speak to contemporary societies and current issues.
Allison Cox – Through song, humor and tales of universal experiences, Allison Cox offers stories that touch the heart, heal the soul and celebrate our diversity. Allison has been telling stories professionally for over 20 years. As a Prevention Specialist for the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, Allison tells stories for health promotion, disease prevention and community building. She is editor/author of The Healing Heart ~ Families: Storytelling to Encourage Caring and Healthy Families and The Healing Heart ~ Communities: Storytelling to Build Strong and Healthy Communities. Allison has performed at multicultural celebrations telling stories from African, Hispanic, Asian and Native American traditions and was featured two years at Ethnic Fest where she shared Celtic tales from her own heritage.
Pat Peterson – An accomplished storyteller, Pat is the emcee par excellence, bringing pure joy to the audience’s storytelling experience as she encourages, sweet-talks, and guides the performers to bring forth their finest work. Telling traditional and original tales to audiences of all ages for over 25 years, Pat delights in working on special projects, creating programs suited to individual needs.
