The Adventures and Experience of Kevin CordiFor eleven years I was, according to the National Storytelling Network, "the first full time high school storytelling teacher in the country." I also taught storytelling at the college level for nine years at California State University, in Fresno.
Although I found a special place for story in the classroom, for over eighteen years I have been a Professional Storyteller, performing in over 25 states, England, and Japan. I have been featured as a teller in Yosemite National Park, Stories by the Sea in Oregon, Keepers of the Flame in Buffalo, New York, The Bay Area Storytelling Festival in California, and the Smoky Mountain Storytelling Festival in Tennessee. I have also served as emcee at the National Storytelling Festival.
As a teller I seek out stories that have teaching and healing principles. I have shows ready that are geared for children such as the "Listen to the Animals Program," but also am more than ready to tell for adults with programs like "Wisdom Keepers" or "Telling America’s Story." I have engineered special shows on conflict resolution, cultural understanding, and my own collection of personal tales. Each tale I tell is meant to remind others the joy in sharing their tales.
What Can I Bring to A Festival or School?
1. A Commitment of Excellence for Adults and Kids of All Ages as a Teller and
Presenter: As an experienced teller and workshop presenter, I draw from my experiences as an educator for fourteen years and a storyteller for fifteen with a vast repertoire of stories, I build programs that compliment the needs of the audience.
2. Ensemble Storytelling. For the last nine years I have trained youth to find their own voice in storytelling and brought this sure crowd pleaser to festivals. In "Ensemble Storytelling" I work with a group of 10 to 20 children for an hour before a performance, gearing them to share a story with me on stage at festivals and conferences. Children feel comfortable telling with an experienced ensemble teller and even the most reluctant will participate. This is an amazing experience for children and adults and a wonder to see.
3. An Appeal to Educators and Kids. In addition to being an accomplished teller, I am a certified teacher who knows how to appeal to other educators and to work with kids. I try to take every opportunity to involve kids. Youth are our future storytellers and what better legacy do adults have to give to our kids than our stories? My storytelling concerts and programs are geared
around this theme.
Whether performing for main stage audiences or teaching in the classroom, each story that I tell deliberately helps the audience or classroom understand their stories and encourages others to tell stories. I am more than a storyteller. I am a teacher who uses stories to motivate, guide, and persuade adults and youth to find their voice through story.
This was the goal of the book that I co-authored with Judy Sima entitled
"Raising Voices: Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes." This book and my recordings, five solo recordings, six recordings of student storytelling work, and a DVD, have garnered awards, including the prestigious Storytelling World Award.
I have a Masters Degree in "Using Story as a Primary Teaching Tool" and am currently a PhD candidate at Ohio State University studying how narrative can be used effectively to teach many disciplines in school. This study of "story teaching" has been a productive proven tool for many teachers. I have presented this concept in schools, libraries, and festivals. My work on story curriculum has been requested in schools and community centers nation-wide.
Traveling across the country and parts of the world has helped me build a rich tapestry of tales to share with my audiences. I specialize in telling stories that empower others to produce change within themselves and their community. I have chronicled stories of unknown American heroes and heroines as close as my aunt who was a riveter during World War II to sharing the story of Mooney Warther, the greatest woodcarver of America. I also seek out teachable tales that help kids learn the values that come from good choices. My often requested story of "Mama’s Last Puppy" has inspired cards and letters from many children as I tour.
I have been the Executive Director of the National Youth Storytelling Olympics, now called the National Youth Storytelling Hall of Fame since 2001. I was recently commissioned by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. to create storytelling connections for the center.
In 2002, after being selected to receive a Fulbright, I was requested by the commission to address the Vice Minister of Education in Japan. I proudly served as an ambassador for storytelling. In 2004, I was a Key Note speaker for the National Storytelling Conference in Bellingham, Washington and was during that year awarded the 2004 National Storytelling Service Award from NSN.
As a peaceful advocate, I seek out stories that help resolve conflict and help children and adults make peaceful choices. I have given workshops and programs in conflict resolution, starting a youth storytelling club, fund raising for storytellers, Storytelling and Education, and much more. I, along with Laura Simms and Lorna Czarnota, was selected to be the first educators/presenters during the National Storytelling Festival. We demonstrated a conflict resolution workshop for the International Storytelling Center in Jonesboro, Tennessee.
My recent work involves combining theater approaches to the art of storytelling, especially in imagination learning. I trained as an actor during my tenure at summer stock in Kentucky and combined this experience with my storytelling background. I have found proven techniques to enhance the imagination work using narrative. I currently work with noted Ohio State University educator Dr. Brian Edmiston, author of Imagining to Learn. He has trained with Dorothy Heathcote and Cecily O’Neil and is considered one of the forerunners in children imaginations studies and creative dramatics.
"Kevin Cordi is not only a master teacher in the way he coaches youth in the art of storytelling--but he has a powerful energy on stage that is so
enthusiastic and captivating, that his passion for his work is immediately evident!"
- BOBBY NORFOLK, Emmy Award-Winning Storyteller
