I was blessed to be the teller in residence at Anderson University for the annual Starburst Storytelling Festival a couple of weeks ago. The festival's organizer, Mary Beth Evans, sent this note about the event.
It was such a pleasure to have Saundra Kelley be a part of our annual Starburst Storytellers’ Festival! As the teller-in-residence throughout the week at Anderson University, she performed for over 1,000 students bused from schools in Anderson School District Five. She also worked with the University’s Childhood Curriculum instructor and her class in demonstrating how storytelling methods can be used in the classroom in teaching various disciplines.
Saundra’s background in working with seniors made her a perfect choice for visiting a number of assisted living facilities in Anderson during the week, as well. She easily adapted her repertoire to fit the residents’ interests. She also took a large group of combined Special Needs classes at an elementary school inside her storytelling world and enchanted them. The coordinating instructor was so impressed (and not a little surprised!) at how well the children behaved during the 30 minutes Saundra was with them. I have to add that her performance took place right after a school-wide fire drill!
From audiences of children in an 1800 seat auditorium to an intimate birthday celebration at an assisted living facility, Saundra more than successfully demonstrated her professionalism as a storyteller and performer – she was a smash hit!
Marybeth Evans, Community Services Coord.
Anderson County Library System
Anderson, South Carolina
About Me
- saundra
- Born in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, I am a genuine Florida Cracker--a descendent of sturdy women and men who farmed their way south from North Carolina in the early 1800's. I am a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Social Science, and earned an MA in Education/Storytelling from East Tennessee State University. My work is deeply influenced by a love and reverence for the natural world and environmental issues and my love of story. Performance Photos by Valerie Menard, Silentlightimages.com.
