Priscilla Best, The Heart to Heart Storyteller
Priscilla Best has the gift of captivating listeners of all ages. During her travels and sharing of stories, Priscilla has been cited as a storytelling voice that is “easy to listen to”.
Priscilla delights audiences from pre-school through senior citizens with contemporary stories, folktales, stories and chants of African American and other cultures from around the world. Her use of participation stories assures that listeners take ownership and become responsible for their learning and their enjoyment.
Priscilla is a native of eastern North Carolina and grew up in the rural coastal plains region. There were twelve siblings along with mother and father who worked the tobacco and cotton fields. They were a loving family. Priscilla reports there was always a very large garden with vegetables enough to share with relatives and neighbors who did not have. There were also lots of livestock for food as well as lots of chores to keep the whole family busy.
Priscilla earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina Central University and the Masters of Library Science degree from East Carolina University. She worked for more than 30 years in public education. As a retired teacher and library media coordinator, Priscilla now uses her training and educational experiences to produce storytelling programs that are exciting, enriching and age-appropriate. Her school assemblies may be designed to address literacy, character education, cultural enrichment or other themes. Priscilla has also served as storyteller in many library and cultural festivals.
Priscilla has received the Competent Toastmasters Award and is an effective workshop facilitator and public speaker. Workshops are always customized for the intended audience.
In the fall of 2004, Priscilla journeyed to South Africa where she told stories as part of the USA Delegation from the National Storytelling Network. Priscilla remains active in her local church and other organizations.
For Bookings and Information:
Priscilla R. Best
Heart to Heart Storyteller
1823 Tommy’s Rd
Goldsboro, NC 27534 (USA)
(919) 778-2058
[email protected]
Priscilla delights audiences from pre-school through senior citizens with contemporary stories, folktales, stories and chants of African American and other cultures from around the world. Her use of participation stories assures that listeners take ownership and become responsible for their learning and their enjoyment.
Priscilla is a native of eastern North Carolina and grew up in the rural coastal plains region. There were twelve siblings along with mother and father who worked the tobacco and cotton fields. They were a loving family. Priscilla reports there was always a very large garden with vegetables enough to share with relatives and neighbors who did not have. There were also lots of livestock for food as well as lots of chores to keep the whole family busy.
Priscilla earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina Central University and the Masters of Library Science degree from East Carolina University. She worked for more than 30 years in public education. As a retired teacher and library media coordinator, Priscilla now uses her training and educational experiences to produce storytelling programs that are exciting, enriching and age-appropriate. Her school assemblies may be designed to address literacy, character education, cultural enrichment or other themes. Priscilla has also served as storyteller in many library and cultural festivals.
Priscilla has received the Competent Toastmasters Award and is an effective workshop facilitator and public speaker. Workshops are always customized for the intended audience.
In the fall of 2004, Priscilla journeyed to South Africa where she told stories as part of the USA Delegation from the National Storytelling Network. Priscilla remains active in her local church and other organizations.
For Bookings and Information:
Priscilla R. Best
Heart to Heart Storyteller
1823 Tommy’s Rd
Goldsboro, NC 27534 (USA)
(919) 778-2058
[email protected]
Willa Brigham, MOTIVATIONAL STORYTELLER
Willa Brigham is a Emmy Award winner with her TV show "Smart Start Kids" Mrs. Brigham is an avid writer of short stories, essays, poetry and songs. Her first story video, CORNBREAD AND BLACK-EYED PEAS was released in March 1993. BITS AND PIECES, a collection of poems for children, was released in March 1995. UMM SOMETHING GOOD, a cassette of songs for children was released in December 1997. GOLDEN YEARS, a collection of poems and essays about seniors was published May 2001; her latest cassette of original stories, STINKY JOHNSON AND OTHER TALES, released in September 2001 and HEALTHY HAPPY HABITS songs to sing along with was released in November 2002.
Willa Brigham is a native of Tuskegee, Alabama. She is a graduate of Alabama State University in Montgomery, Al with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. She also earned a Master of Science Degree in Health Science from Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana.
Her talents and high energy have been channeled into challenging and diverse interest, which include:
Performing Artist and Keynote Speaker Host of Smart Start Kids TV Show Artist In Residence - Durham County (Creative Arts in Public Schools Touring Artist - North Carolina Workshop Presenter President, Marklund Children's Home Clown Club Producer/Director Cable Television Children's Program Toastmaster Area and Division Humorous Speech Contest Winner
She has been featured in the Cary News, Triangle Woman, Johnson City News, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers, Durham Herald Sun, Roxboro Courier Times and Triangle Woman. She has appeared on WQOK, WDNC, WAUG and WCHL radio.
Community service and professional organization affiliations include: Board of Directors of Friends of Page Walker Board of Directors of Scrap Exchange Past - Board of Directors of White Plains Children's Center Past - Board of Directors of Carolina Ha Ha Past - Cary Education Advisory Committee Cary Women's Club · Director of Christian Education (NABS) National Association of Black Storytellers National Storytelling Network North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers North Carolina Storytelling Guild
For booking information please write:
WILLA BRIGHAM
301 CREEK Park DRIVE
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 467-0524
(919) 460-6573
[email protected]
www.willabrigham.com
Willa Brigham is a native of Tuskegee, Alabama. She is a graduate of Alabama State University in Montgomery, Al with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. She also earned a Master of Science Degree in Health Science from Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana.
Her talents and high energy have been channeled into challenging and diverse interest, which include:
Performing Artist and Keynote Speaker Host of Smart Start Kids TV Show Artist In Residence - Durham County (Creative Arts in Public Schools Touring Artist - North Carolina Workshop Presenter President, Marklund Children's Home Clown Club Producer/Director Cable Television Children's Program Toastmaster Area and Division Humorous Speech Contest Winner
She has been featured in the Cary News, Triangle Woman, Johnson City News, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers, Durham Herald Sun, Roxboro Courier Times and Triangle Woman. She has appeared on WQOK, WDNC, WAUG and WCHL radio.
Community service and professional organization affiliations include: Board of Directors of Friends of Page Walker Board of Directors of Scrap Exchange Past - Board of Directors of White Plains Children's Center Past - Board of Directors of Carolina Ha Ha Past - Cary Education Advisory Committee Cary Women's Club · Director of Christian Education (NABS) National Association of Black Storytellers National Storytelling Network North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers North Carolina Storytelling Guild
For booking information please write:
WILLA BRIGHAM
301 CREEK Park DRIVE
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 467-0524
(919) 460-6573
[email protected]
www.willabrigham.com
Pres. NCABS Beverly Fields Burnette
Beverly Fields Burnette is a storyteller (current President of the N.C. Association of Black Storytellers), a poet and school social worker. Her programs/performances consist of fun, creative ways of combining cultural insights with storytelling/folktales, and original and historical poetry for children and/or general audiences.
She's led character education, self-esteem and drug prevention programs in her community. Ms. Burnette enjoys teaching and telling folktales in the guise of Harlem Renaissance folklorist/anthopologist Zora Neale Hurston, and using poetry and storytelling as vehicles for teaching history, exposing positive feelings, healing wounds, and bridging gaps.
Born in Rocky Mount, NC, Burnette is an alumna of Livingstone College. She has done freelance writing for a local children’s tv program, edited a kids' advice column entitled “Ask Miz Bee”, and has been published in several poetry anthologies.
Burnette is a founding member of both the Carolina African American Writers’ Collective and the N.C. Association of Black Storytellers (current president). She combines her social work skills with her creative interests by facilitating diversity training and parenting skills using writing journals and other forms of self-expression.
Published in several national poetry anthologies, Ms. Burnette annually composes and reads her poems for the National Public Radio/PRI program "A Season's Griot", and often collaborates/performs with other storytellers, drummers/musicians and poets.
About Beverly Fields Burnette Beverly Fields Burnette is a storyteller (current President of the N.C. Association of Black Storytellers), a poet and school social worker. Her programs/performances consist of fun, creative ways of combining cultural insights with storytelling/folktales, and original and historical poetry for children and/or general audiences. She has led character education, self-esteem and drug prevention programs for churches and schools.Ms. Burnette enjoys teaching and telling folktales in the guise of Harlem Renaissance folklorist/anthopologist Zora Neale Hurston. Ms. Burnette is published in several national poetry anthologies. In 2001 and 2003 she wrote poems for the National Public Radio/PRI program "A Season's Griot", and in 2003 read her own poem on this program. She often collaborates/performs with other storytellers, drummers/musicians and poets.
Touring Artists Directory Profile Beverly Burnette enjoys the challenge of taking intimidating poetry and bringing it into the realm of “everyday life.” She uses poetry and storytelling as vehicles for teaching history, exposing positive feelings, healing wounds, and bridging gaps. Born in Rocky Mount, NC, Burnette is an alumna of Livingstone College. She has done freelance writing for a local children’s television program and has edited a weekly advice column entitled “Ask Miz Bee.” Published in several poetry anthologies, Burnette is a founding member of both the Carolina African American Writers’ Collective and the N.C. Association of Black Storytellers, Inc., an organization for which she now serves as president. She combines her social work skills with her creative interests by facilitating diversity training and parenting skills using writing journals and other forms of self-expression.
Community performances include original poems written and read by Burnette specifically for the occasion, as well as storytelling.
For booking information call:
919-673-5786 (cell)
919-510-9580 (home)
She's led character education, self-esteem and drug prevention programs in her community. Ms. Burnette enjoys teaching and telling folktales in the guise of Harlem Renaissance folklorist/anthopologist Zora Neale Hurston, and using poetry and storytelling as vehicles for teaching history, exposing positive feelings, healing wounds, and bridging gaps.
Born in Rocky Mount, NC, Burnette is an alumna of Livingstone College. She has done freelance writing for a local children’s tv program, edited a kids' advice column entitled “Ask Miz Bee”, and has been published in several poetry anthologies.
Burnette is a founding member of both the Carolina African American Writers’ Collective and the N.C. Association of Black Storytellers (current president). She combines her social work skills with her creative interests by facilitating diversity training and parenting skills using writing journals and other forms of self-expression.
Published in several national poetry anthologies, Ms. Burnette annually composes and reads her poems for the National Public Radio/PRI program "A Season's Griot", and often collaborates/performs with other storytellers, drummers/musicians and poets.
About Beverly Fields Burnette Beverly Fields Burnette is a storyteller (current President of the N.C. Association of Black Storytellers), a poet and school social worker. Her programs/performances consist of fun, creative ways of combining cultural insights with storytelling/folktales, and original and historical poetry for children and/or general audiences. She has led character education, self-esteem and drug prevention programs for churches and schools.Ms. Burnette enjoys teaching and telling folktales in the guise of Harlem Renaissance folklorist/anthopologist Zora Neale Hurston. Ms. Burnette is published in several national poetry anthologies. In 2001 and 2003 she wrote poems for the National Public Radio/PRI program "A Season's Griot", and in 2003 read her own poem on this program. She often collaborates/performs with other storytellers, drummers/musicians and poets.
Touring Artists Directory Profile Beverly Burnette enjoys the challenge of taking intimidating poetry and bringing it into the realm of “everyday life.” She uses poetry and storytelling as vehicles for teaching history, exposing positive feelings, healing wounds, and bridging gaps. Born in Rocky Mount, NC, Burnette is an alumna of Livingstone College. She has done freelance writing for a local children’s television program and has edited a weekly advice column entitled “Ask Miz Bee.” Published in several poetry anthologies, Burnette is a founding member of both the Carolina African American Writers’ Collective and the N.C. Association of Black Storytellers, Inc., an organization for which she now serves as president. She combines her social work skills with her creative interests by facilitating diversity training and parenting skills using writing journals and other forms of self-expression.
Community performances include original poems written and read by Burnette specifically for the occasion, as well as storytelling.
For booking information call:
919-673-5786 (cell)
919-510-9580 (home)
Mitch Capel aka Gran'daddy Junebug
Mitch Capel / “Gran’daddy Junebug”, is a master storyteller, recording artist, published author, and poet. He is mesmerizing as he brings stories to life, while plucking the string with just the touch, the human heart craves. Mitch, who first began writing and performing skits at the age of 12 and has over 35 hours of stories stored to memory, has also been described as a “word magician”, a “national treasure”, “unexpectedly powerful” and a “transformer of lives”. He has been featured at numerous schools, libraries, museums and festivals since 1985 including the DuSable in Chicago; The Kennedy Center in DC; The National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN; The Smithsonian’s 2009 Folklife Festival on the National Mall and The Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. He has been the Artist-In-Residence at the International Storytelling Center and is the national interpreter of poet laureate Paul Laurence Dunbar. He has received awards from local, state and national organizations for his amazing storytelling skills, his contributions to his community and his work with youth all over the United States.
Programs:
Want A Story? ~ Grades: K-12 ~ Audience Size: No Limit ~ Length: 1 Hour
We Wear The Mask ~ Grades: 6-College ~ Audience Size: No Limit ~ Length: 1 Hour
W’en Dey ‘Listed Colored Soldiers ~ Grades: 7-College ~ Audience Size: No Limit ~ Length: 1 Hour
In Days Gone By ~ Grades: High School-College ~ Audience Size: No Limit ~ Length: 90 Minutes
Available also for: workshops ~ emcee ~ stand-up comedy ~ auctioneer ~ theatrical productions and roasts ~
Resume
Mitch Capel attended A&T State University and Howard University studying speech and theater. He heard the words of Paul Laurence Dunbar at the tender age of three, which were read to him by his grandmother, Elnora Leak Capel. After finishing college, Mitch received the book from his father, Felton Capel, which was the source of this entertainment. He studied Dunbar’s work for seven years before beginning his journey as a professional storyteller. Since his first performance in 1985, Mitch has memorized over 70% of Paul Dunbar’s work and is considered the “national interpreter” of the poet laureate. While researching Dunbar he discovered other writers such as William Cullen Bryant, Raymond Garfield Dandridge, Helen Wheeler Wilcox, Oscar Brown, Jr. and others and in the interim, Mitch became a poet. He has created award winning CD’s, a children’s DVD as well as a book entitled, “The Jealous Farmer”. He has been featured twice at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN; the Timpanogas Storytelling Festival in Orem, Utah; the 2009 Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC and annually at the travelling National Black Storytelling Festival since 1988. He has performed at hundreds of venues including The United Nations; Aaron Davis Hall in New York; The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, OH; the DuSable Museum in Chicago; Newark Symphony Hall and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He was Artist-In-Residence at The International Storytelling Center and invited by the Smithsonian to perform for the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama.
910.494.0696
[email protected]
www.gjbug.com
285 Whispering Pines Dr.
Spring Lake, NC 28390
Programs:
Want A Story? ~ Grades: K-12 ~ Audience Size: No Limit ~ Length: 1 Hour
We Wear The Mask ~ Grades: 6-College ~ Audience Size: No Limit ~ Length: 1 Hour
W’en Dey ‘Listed Colored Soldiers ~ Grades: 7-College ~ Audience Size: No Limit ~ Length: 1 Hour
In Days Gone By ~ Grades: High School-College ~ Audience Size: No Limit ~ Length: 90 Minutes
Available also for: workshops ~ emcee ~ stand-up comedy ~ auctioneer ~ theatrical productions and roasts ~
Resume
Mitch Capel attended A&T State University and Howard University studying speech and theater. He heard the words of Paul Laurence Dunbar at the tender age of three, which were read to him by his grandmother, Elnora Leak Capel. After finishing college, Mitch received the book from his father, Felton Capel, which was the source of this entertainment. He studied Dunbar’s work for seven years before beginning his journey as a professional storyteller. Since his first performance in 1985, Mitch has memorized over 70% of Paul Dunbar’s work and is considered the “national interpreter” of the poet laureate. While researching Dunbar he discovered other writers such as William Cullen Bryant, Raymond Garfield Dandridge, Helen Wheeler Wilcox, Oscar Brown, Jr. and others and in the interim, Mitch became a poet. He has created award winning CD’s, a children’s DVD as well as a book entitled, “The Jealous Farmer”. He has been featured twice at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN; the Timpanogas Storytelling Festival in Orem, Utah; the 2009 Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC and annually at the travelling National Black Storytelling Festival since 1988. He has performed at hundreds of venues including The United Nations; Aaron Davis Hall in New York; The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, OH; the DuSable Museum in Chicago; Newark Symphony Hall and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He was Artist-In-Residence at The International Storytelling Center and invited by the Smithsonian to perform for the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama.
910.494.0696
[email protected]
www.gjbug.com
285 Whispering Pines Dr.
Spring Lake, NC 28390
Sauuda Y. Eshé
Sauuda is a mentor and cultural artist who has over 25 years of community youth work including three years of work with abused and battered women and children; 13 years with "at-risk" youth and displaced adults. She uses the cultural arts as a means of expression, social change, education and entertainment. As storyteller, Sauuda infuses traditional folk tales with toe tapping rhythms and harmony; call-and-responses and “rounds”, and audience interaction.
She is an accomplished acappella contralto vocalist and song writer whose forte' is traditional gospel and traditional African/African American folk songs. She began singing at the tender age of five and began composing and performing original songs for the community at age 12. Her love for the arts and for community has taken her to venues from Boston to Florida.
Sauuda was awarded a grant from the Jenny Jones Foundation which was used to purchase African drums and other instruments for the Kindezi Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment organization, and its work with community youth.
Partial List of Classroom/Community Experience:
Grade Level: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
Residencies and performances: Inborden Elementary School, Baskerville Elementary School, Princeville Montessori School, Bassett Center Family Shelter, Down East Partnership for Children Winter Wonderland, South Rocky Mount Community Center, City of Rocky Mount Senior Center, Edgecombe Community College Cultural Celebration, St. Stephen’s Youth Camp, Ebenezer Baptist Church Back-To-School Extravaganza, Truth Ministries Community Day, Inc, B.R.O.A.D Community Day, (Bunn, NC), Franklinton Center Day, OIC, Inc Youth Literacy Week, N.A.A.C.P Banquet, Annual MLK Prayer Breakfast, Round the “Y” Community Day, South Rocky Mount Community Day, City of Rocky Mount International Culture Fest
Affiliations:
· Kindezi Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment, Inc-Founder/Executive Director
· C.O.R.P (Circle of Real People) Drama, Mime and Dance Troupe- Co-founder
· Annual Rocky Mount Juneteenth Celebration-Co-founder
· Annual Kindezi Kwanzaa Celebration-Co-founder
· Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment Foundation-Elder
· Toastmasters
· “If Anybody Asks You Who I am”- Co-director
· “Spirit of Our Unsung Heroes”, actor
email: [email protected]
Phone: 252-266-8596
School Residencies, School Programs; Community,
Church and private events
She is an accomplished acappella contralto vocalist and song writer whose forte' is traditional gospel and traditional African/African American folk songs. She began singing at the tender age of five and began composing and performing original songs for the community at age 12. Her love for the arts and for community has taken her to venues from Boston to Florida.
Sauuda was awarded a grant from the Jenny Jones Foundation which was used to purchase African drums and other instruments for the Kindezi Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment organization, and its work with community youth.
Partial List of Classroom/Community Experience:
Grade Level: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
Residencies and performances: Inborden Elementary School, Baskerville Elementary School, Princeville Montessori School, Bassett Center Family Shelter, Down East Partnership for Children Winter Wonderland, South Rocky Mount Community Center, City of Rocky Mount Senior Center, Edgecombe Community College Cultural Celebration, St. Stephen’s Youth Camp, Ebenezer Baptist Church Back-To-School Extravaganza, Truth Ministries Community Day, Inc, B.R.O.A.D Community Day, (Bunn, NC), Franklinton Center Day, OIC, Inc Youth Literacy Week, N.A.A.C.P Banquet, Annual MLK Prayer Breakfast, Round the “Y” Community Day, South Rocky Mount Community Day, City of Rocky Mount International Culture Fest
Affiliations:
· Kindezi Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment, Inc-Founder/Executive Director
· C.O.R.P (Circle of Real People) Drama, Mime and Dance Troupe- Co-founder
· Annual Rocky Mount Juneteenth Celebration-Co-founder
· Annual Kindezi Kwanzaa Celebration-Co-founder
· Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment Foundation-Elder
· Toastmasters
· “If Anybody Asks You Who I am”- Co-director
· “Spirit of Our Unsung Heroes”, actor
email: [email protected]
Phone: 252-266-8596
School Residencies, School Programs; Community,
Church and private events
Roy Harris
Roy hails from the small hamlet of Scranton, NC, nestled on the coast of North Carolina. He grew up on the Coast, college educated (NC A&T State University) in the Piedmont and now resides in the Mountains of NC. He is uniquely qualified to yarn tales from Murphy to Manteo. Roy comes by his story telling ability via from the front porch of his grandmothers homes and sitting silently and learning.
He is a deacon, father, and grandfather and is able to see a story from a minute detail and a lesson to be learn. His engineering background enable's him to see things different. Roy is working on a collections of personal stories some to embrassing to tell.
"I've been telling stories all of my life and didn't even know it" Roy Harris is in the Asheville, NC and tells homespun stories, folktales and shares historical accounts from his many travels
[email protected]
He is a deacon, father, and grandfather and is able to see a story from a minute detail and a lesson to be learn. His engineering background enable's him to see things different. Roy is working on a collections of personal stories some to embrassing to tell.
"I've been telling stories all of my life and didn't even know it" Roy Harris is in the Asheville, NC and tells homespun stories, folktales and shares historical accounts from his many travels
[email protected]
Patti Cake - Pat Lambe
Pat Lambe is known as the magical storyteller. She entertains audiences of all ages for a variety of different occasions.
Pat Lambe, owner
Patti Cake Productions PO Box 293
Haw River, NC 27258
Phone: 336-684-2461
Phone: 336-505-4420
Email: [email protected]
Also known as: Patti Cake
Credentials: CBA
Pat Lambe, owner
Patti Cake Productions PO Box 293
Haw River, NC 27258
Phone: 336-684-2461
Phone: 336-505-4420
Email: [email protected]
Also known as: Patti Cake
Credentials: CBA
