International
Storytellers
�
Evelyn
Clark
� James
Bonnet
� Fran Stallings
� Antonio Rocha
� Emily Cooper
� John
May
� Christine McMahon
� Dr. Wajuppa Tossa
� The
Jumping Jellybeans
� Dr A.P.J. Ram
� Corinne Gibbons
� Edward Stokes
� Denise Atchley
Singapore
Storytellers
� Kiran Shah
� Sheila
Wee
� Rosemarie Somaiah
� Katherine McLeod
� Chuah Ai Lin
� Jessie
Goh
� Mabel
Lee
� Panna d/o Kantilal
� Dolly Leow
� Sarah Lee-Wong
� Peggy Ferroa
� Dilip Mukerjea
Composer
and Conductor for Sayang Singapore
� Wong Kah Chun
Evelyn Clark, US
Author of Around the Corporate Campfire: How Great Leaders Use
Stories to Inspire Success, Evelyn Clark has developed results-oriented
communications for a range of clients, both as an independent business
owner and as vice president of a Seattle public relations agency. She
conducts customized workshops, facilitates retreats, creates communication
plans, and develops values-centered core stories for premier organizations
such as Microsoft, Western Wireless and World Vision. She also has published
numerous articles on communication management and public relations; was
a contributing writer/corporate storyteller for the book TechnoBrands,
which focused on developing brand identity and building brand equity;
and is a contributor to Wake Me Up When the Data Is Over: How Organizations
Use Stories to Drive Results.
A featured presenter for a wide range of organizations, Evelyn Clark has delivered keynotes and led seminars and management retreats for organizations such as NASA�s Jet Propulsion Lab, VeriSign, Philips Medical Systems�Ultrasound, Premera Blue Cross, National Reconnaissance Office, International Storytelling Center and Costco Wholesale. She�s worked with a number of professional groups, including Association for Quality and Participation, American Marketing Association, International Association of Business Communicators, and Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants.
James Bonnet, US
For the last twenty years, James Bonnet, writer, teacher and story consultant,
has been the director of Astoria Filmwrights, a research project studying
all the significant story models and theories about story from around
the world and their connection to the creative process, storymaking, psychology,
myth and film. The culmination of this work is the breakthrough �unified�
theory of the origin and nature of story and a revolutionary new story
model that can be used by writers and filmmakers to create more successful
stories.
The book he has written on these findings, Stealing Fire from the Gods:
A Dynamic New Story Model For Writers And Filmmakers, was published by
Michael Wiese in 1999. A second edition, Stealing Fire from the Gods:
The Complete Guide to Story For Writers And Filmmakers, is published in
July of 2006. His new book, Cracking the Story Code: The Secrets of Story
and the Art of Storymaking, will be ready for publication in the Fall
of 2007.
Since 1990 he has been giving intensive weekend seminars, Storymaking:
The Master Class, to screenwriters, producers, directors, psychologists
and mythologists. The radical new ideas about story revealed in his books
and his seminars are having a major impact on writers in all media. He
has written or acted in more than forty television shows and features.
He was elected twice to the Board of Directors of the Writer's Guild of
America (a ten thousand member union) and served four years in that capacity.
Fran Stallings, US
Fran Stallings' favorite word is "imagination." Using no props
or pictures, she paints vivid images in listeners' minds. Fran is an internationally
known storyteller, author, and recording artist with a PhD in Biology.
She tells world folktales and original creations enlivened with audience
participation in action and song. Formerly an assistant professor of biology,
Fran now uses the traditional art of storytelling to impart modern science
concepts and content while sharing timeless lessons of understanding and
respect for our planet's living things. Her tales of our fellow creatures
and the environment have earned her the title Earthteller. Her workshops
in the U.S., Japan, Egypt and Singapore have trained thousands of students
and teachers in the storyteller's craft. She has helped zoo docents and
park rangers become storyteachers. An Artist in Residence with the Oklahoma
Arts Council for 15 years, she knows how to integrate ancient arts into
the modern curriculum.
Fran has collected a repertory of nearly 400 traditional tales plus original stories and songs. Her articles and stories are widely reprinted. She also has a special collection of folktales from Japan, learned during residencies there and on American tours with her Japanese colleague, Hiroko Fujita. Since picking up the Appalachian autoharp to provide a musical change of pace in long shows, she has been writing original songs and inserting music into the stories themselves.
Antonio Rocha,
Brazil
Antonio Rocha, a native of Brazil, began his career in the performing
arts in 1985. In 1988 he received a Partners of the Americas grant to
come to the USA to perform and deepen his mime skills with Master Tony
Montanaro. Since then he has earned a Summa Cum Laude Theater BA from
USM (University of Southern Maine) and studied with Master Marcel Marceau.
Mr. Rocha's unique solo shows of stories and mime have been performed
from Singapore to Vancouver and many places in between. Some of the venues
include The Singapore Festival of the Arts, Aruba Intl Dance Festival,
The National Storytelling Festival, The Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian
Institution, The National Geographic, The Tales of Graz in Austria, Dunya
Festival in Holland as well as many other Storytelling Festivals and educational
institutions around The USA. Mr. Rocha is a member of the Maine Arts Commission,
The New England Foundation for the Arts and the National Storytelling
Association.
Emily Cooper, Australia
As a dancer, Emily draws upon a diverse spectrum of dance styles: including
Classical Ballet, Bharatanatyam and Kathak Classical Indian Dance, Contemporary
Dance and especially Traditional West African Dance. She has studied extensively
with West African Griot Mohamed Bangoura, and traveled with Mahomed to
Guinea in West Africa, to study with the highly respected Sekouba Camara
and his Ballet Matam. With such diverse training, Emily creates a fluid
and unique style of dance that is mesmerizing to watch.
Emily later fell in love with Story, and became interested in weaving
this modality together with her dancing. �I love story and I love to dance!
I think the two are a beautiful combination � it�s a wonderful opportunity
as a dancer to embody the moods and emotions of characters in a story.�
Emily also holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Contemporary Dance. She
has also taught and performed in throughout Australia and in Japan, Bali
and Singapore.
John May, Australia
John May has traveled, lived and worked in several countries - gathering
rhythms, stories, dances and experiences. John draws upon the richness
and diversity of his journeys, to create lively and unique experiences
of Story.
John has worked as a storyteller in a variety of different communities,
including festivals, corporate conferences, schools, ex prisoners, differently-abled
adults, and more. �I use the Story as a way to open the imagination and
creativity inside everyone. The Story is being born each time it is told
- it is new and alive,� says John.
John is well known and loved in his local Blue Mountains community in
Australia, where he has worked as a storyteller, musician, and drum-maker
for over ten years. John has a Bachelor of Education, and has also taught
and performed in Singapore, Bali and Malaysia.
Christine McMahon, UK
Christine McMahon is a qualified dramatherapist, storyteller and a lecturer
in drama and psychology. She is a member of Shaggy Dog Storytelling Club,
which is recognised as one of the most successful and long running clubs
in England. A storyteller with a growing international reputation, Christine
has appeared at the Beyond the Border, the Welsh International Storytelling
Festival, the Cape Clear Island International Festival and in Australia
and New Zealand.
Currently the Restorative Justice Coordinator at the Calderdale Youth Offending Team, Christine is involved in parenting projects and performance workshops at Prisons (male and female) and Young Offenders Institutions. She also does performances and workshops in schools for all age groups including nursery projects for those children who have not developed language. Christine�s particular interests are in Lancashire and Yorkshire stories, therapeutic uses of stories, developing international links to support storytelling development and stories for use with Restorative Justice.
Dr. Wajuppa Tossa, Thailand
Dr. Wajuppa Tossa teaches English and American Literature, Children�s
Literature and Storytelling at Mahasarakham University, Thailand. In 1995,
she founded the Mahasarakham University storytelling project. In this
project, she gets people of all ages to be involved in preserving and
revitalizing the use of local dialects and folktales in their daily lives
and to take pride in their own cultural heritage. Dr. Tossa has conducted
storytelling workshops and performed in the USA, Australia, the Netherlands,
Laos and Singapore. She was a featured storyteller in several storytelling
festivals such as the Book Fest in Seattle and Story Fest International
in the Pacific West Coast. Dr. Tossa trained under storytelling guru Dr.
Margaret Read MacDonald.
The Jumping JellyBeans, Malaysia
Shanthini Venugopal and Cinzia Ciaramicoli first got together in 2000
to bring theatre and cheer into the lives of less fortunate children after
visiting the oncology paediatric ward at the University Hospital. A puppet
show loosely based on the French book entitled �Le Petit Prince� written
by Antoine De Saint-Exupery - A play for a smile� was born. Since then,
they�ve produced various children�s theatre productions with puppetry,
dance and music. Their commitment in telling stories and performing theatre
plays to children and adults have taken them to rural and urban areas
of Malaysia, Singapore and as far off as Denmark and the UK.
Dr
A.P.J. Ram, India
With more than 40 years’ experience in multidisciplinary scientific
research and popular science communication, Dr. A.P.J. Ram interacts extensively
with students and science teachers in India. He is the Vice chairman of
National Centre for Science Communicators, India. . He is also the Principal
Scientific advisor to Labour India Educational Research Centre, Kerala
India.
Corinne
Gibbons , Australia
Corinne Gibbons hails from the Bega Valley in NSW Australia and has amassed
and incredible amount of achievements over her musical career. Corrine
has recently discovered the power of storytelling and song and is inspired
to pursue creating special shows which combine these two mediums in a
unique and uplifting way.
Highlights include the release of two Albums �Dusk� (debuted at N.O 2 on the independent Jazz charts in Australia) and �Sunday Afternoon� a live album dedicated to her many supporters - touring around the world playing at many festivals and Jazz clubs and the female lead in Celtic Reign sell-out performances Australia wide.
Currently Corinne is performing with Katherine Macleod, conducting vocal classes and is the Regional Manager South East Asia of �Human Rhythms� - a local team building company which facilitates drum and percussion orchestras.
Edward
Stokes , Hong Kong
Edward Stokes, a photographer and writer, has specialized since 1984 in
books led by their photographic narratives. He is the author of eleven
books and originator of other materials – including calendars, websites
and exhibitions. In 1997, recognizing the power of photos to inform and
inspire, he established the Hong Kong Conservation Photography Foundation.
A not-for-profit publisher, the HKCP Foundation promotes heritage awareness
through books and publications. Edward’s books are noted for their
strong images, evocative photographic narratives and elegant design. They
have been supported by grants, awards and commissions. He has lectured
widely to heritage, conservation, community and professional groups.
Denise
Atchley, US
Denise Atchley is the Co-Founder and Director of The Digital Storytelling
Festival™, an event that serves to showcase and promote the innovative
work created throughout the diverse areas of the Digital Storytelling
community. The Festival was founded in 1995 by Dana and Denise Atchley
and eight Festivals have been held in the United States from 1995 –
2005.
Denise also consults, teaches and produces Digital Storytelling projects for individuals and organizations. Denise’s objective through her company is to help people learn the tools of Digital Storytelling and enable them to identify and create stories that are important to their lives or organization. Denise is a member of the core digital storytelling community formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1990’s. She is a founding member of the Digital Storytelling Association.
Kiran
Shah, Singapore
A true Katong girl who has been described as a godmother of the Singapore
storytelling revival, Kiran co-founded the Asian Storytelling Network,
Singapore’s first professional storytelling company. Through its
work with the NBDCS, NAC, MOE, MINDEF and various other government and
community bodies the Asian Storytelling Network has nurtured the revival
of the oral tradition in Singapore and helped many Singaporeans rediscover
their rich heritage of folktales. Kiran also works internationally, having
performed in storytelling festivals in the UK, Australia and Indonesia.
Sheila
Wee, Singapore
Sheila Wee, the co-founder of Asian Storytelling Network, is one of the
pioneers in the revival of the art of oral storytelling in Singapore.
She is British, but, having lived in Singapore for 25 years, she also
feels very Singaporean. As well as working in schools, museums, theatres
and for various government ministries in Singapore, Sheila has been responsible
for training many local storytellers. She has also performed internationally
at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, the
Isle of Skye Storytelling Festival and the Australian National
Storytelling Festival.
Rosemarie
Somaiah, Singapore
The third partner at Asian Storytelling Network, Rosemarie is a teacher,
writer and storyteller who has performed for all ages in Singapore, Scotland,
Hong Kong and Hungary. A published author, her books include a comic book
for the Singapore History Museum (2002), Gateway to Singapore Culture
(2004), Colours of Harmony (2005) and Indian Children’s
Favourite Stories (2006). Other performances in 2007 include ‘The
Quest for the Magic Flute’ for the Children’s Mozart
Festival and ‘Portrait in White and Black’ for the
short play festival ‘Short and Sweet, Singapore’.
Katherine
McLeod , Singapore
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Katherine has spent the past 16 years
working, traveling, and living overseas. She delights in her work with
both children and adults, and confides that no matter where she is, who
she is performing for or with, there is nothing quite like being a storyteller.
"I have been telling stories my whole life. Stories have always been my passion. When I go to work, it's like heading into the sandbox as a kid and playing and inventing and re-inventing alongside the audience, participant and teller enjoying the process of story as both vital and organic."
Chuah
Ai Lin, Singapore
Chuah Ai Lin's first loves were books and chasing butterflies and fish
in green places. After a 20-year career in the oil service industry, she
now integrates her early loves into her work as a professional storyteller,
nature guide, licensed tourist guide, and teacher of enrichment courses.
She draws on the natural world, history, culture and science for her stories.
Jessie
Goh , Singapore
“Storytelling, like the quality of mercy, ‘blesses him that
gives and him that receives,’”says Jessie. “I improve
with practice, and my audience enjoys the stories I bring to life.”
With a strong foundation in counselling, Jessie is an outstanding teacher
with over 35 years experience in education. Among other awards, she was
awarded a gold medal (with Honours) from The London Academy of Music and
Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in The Speaking of Verse and Prose, and continues
to delight both adults and children in her storytelling performances.
Mabel
Lee , Singapore
Mabel Lee is a proud mother of three children and holds an Associate Diploma
with Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London). She runs a childcare
centre where she teaches Speech and Drama. She tells stories to children,
drawing on her Peranakan heritage whenever possible. In addition she trains
primary and secondary school children in storytelling and enjoys being
part of Talespin a group of storytellers that performs for adults.
Panna
d/o Kantilal, Singapore
Children engrossed in the books at the libraries owe a debt of gratitude
to Panna and her colleague at the National Library Board, for they select
and evaluate the Children’s and Young People’s materials.
A librarian by profession Panna enjoys telling stories to both children
and adults. She has performed in Brisbane, Jakarta and Singapore. However,
having been born and brought up in Singapore, she considers performing
for ‘Sayang Singapore’ - the National Day Showcase –-
a great honour!
Dolly
Leow , Singapore
Dolly is a former secondary school teacher and a piano teacher. She loves
children and thoroughly enjoys working with them. In recent years she
has become fascinated with Asian heritage especially Asian stories. Dolly
tells stories in various venues, including libraries, museums and schools
and performs regularly with Talespin – a group of storytellers who
perform for adults.
Sarah
Lee-Wong , Singapore
Sarah Lee-Wong is a trained teacher and drama educator who cannot live
without stories. Her first stint as storyteller was at the kindergarten
snack table where she invented a pourquoi tale of how Ribena was made.
Since then, she has made it a passion to collect, spin and share tales
as she travels through life.
Peggy
Ferroa , Singapore
Peggy is a director, writer, actress and drama educator. With long and
varied experiences in these fields, this versatile artist has been heard
on radio and seen on television, in film and on stage. In addition to
working with all ages – in various aspects of theatre, she is comfortable
handling corporate and commercial events. Peggy is delighted to be part
of Sayang Singapore 2007.
Dilip
Mukerjea , Singapore
Dilip is the Owner and Managing Director of ‘Braindancing International’
and “Buzan Centre Singapore Pte Ltd,” organisations specifically
dedicated to advancing human performance across multiple domains.
Focus is directed on developing Intellectual & Emotional Capital for
the Learning Economy, via strategies encompassing Creative Problem Solving,
Mind Mapping®, i-Mapping™, Speed Reading, Memory Enhancement,
and Lifescaping™. Dilip has been publicly acclaimed as “phenomenally
creative and easily one of the world’s top ten Master Mind Mappers”
by Tony Buzan himself. Familiar with the cultures of both ‘East’
and ‘West’, where he has lived and worked extensively, he
has also traveled to well over 30 countries around the world. Experienced
as a public speaker on international platforms, and a versatile seminar
presenter, Mr. Mukerjea is involved in developing further skills that
will significantly enhance anyone’s creative and innovative capacity.
His accomplishments have been recognised and included in the Millennium
Edition of Who’s Who of the World and in The Baron’s
500: Leaders for the New Century.
Composer and Conductor for Sayang Singapore
Wong
Kah Chun, Singapore
Wong Kah Chun is a young and aspiring musician who has a number of impressive
accomplishments for his age. He began playing the trumpet at the age of
7, and performed in masterclasses by eminent players such as Rod Franks
(Principal Trumpet, London Symphony Orchestra), James Watson (Head of
Brass, Royal Academy of Music) and played with ensembles such as the Russian
National Orchestra and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra. As a conductor,
he attended the International Academy of Advanced Conducting in St.Petersburg,
Russia, and has worked with a number of musical groups in Singapore so
far. His compositional life started with the Zaqaedor Symphony, written
at the age of 17, and performed by the Raffles Junior College Orchestra
at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Following this success, his music for wind
band has been published in Europe and consistently performed in Singapore.
Wong Kah Chun is a recipient of the World Association of Symphonic Bands
and Ensembles (WASBE) Scholarship to attend a Wind Conducting Symposium
by Dr. Allan McMurray in America, and the Creative Arts Award by Raffles
Junior College for outstanding contribution to the arts.