Storytelling – An Ancient Art
Storytelling – An Ancient Art
June 15, 2021
by Susan Ramsey
Storytelling is an ancient art, as old as language.
I became interested in storytelling while I was teaching music in a middle school. I attended a professional development session in which the presenter showed us how stories can help her students develop language skills, and she told several stories as part of the session. I was captivated and noticed that others in the session were thoroughly engaged. I wanted to create that level of engagement in my own teaching and decided to learn to become a storyteller to enhance my presentation and teaching skills. I am a music teacher, so naturally, I use songs and music with my stories.
Storytelling has led me to not only sharing stories with my students but to telling stories in libraries, festivals, other schools, churches, historic homes, and many other events. I discovered that stories appeal to people of all ages.
I believe that everyone has the ability to tell stories. Storytelling is a wonderful creative medium for those who are shy. When it works well, the audience does not really “see” the storyteller at all, they see the story itself, and the teller becomes almost invisible.
Would you like to awaken your inner storyteller? In this retreat, you will be able to hear engaging stories targeted for all ages of listeners. You will be able to participate in storytelling “games” and activities that will give you the opportunity to access language to describe images and practice your storytelling skills. You will not have to stand in front of a group to perform or do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable. But you will have the opportunity to share stories with others if you wish.
There is something very special about storytelling, the narrative of our lives, that endures the test of time and connects us all.
Susan Ramsey
Susan is one of our Keynote Speakers and Storytellers at our Storytelling Retreat this fall.
A champion of the art of storytelling, Susan Ramsay thoroughly entertains and enthralls listeners of all ages. Susan tells American traditional and international folk tales, often accompanied by one of the many traditional instruments she plays, including the bodhran, thumb piano, guitar, pennywhistle, dulcimer and hammer dulcimer.
Susan has been active telling stories in schools, libraries and festivals including the annual Tennessee Storytelling Association Festival, The Hermitage Storytelling Festival, The Southern Festival of Books, and the Summer Lights Festival. She has been part of the Arts Festival at the Rutherford County Center for the Arts, the Festival of British and Appalachian Culture in Rugby, Tennessee, and featured in concert at Belmont Mansion.
She has shared festival stages with Jackie Torrence, David Holt, Donald Davis and Ed Stivender.
A veteran retired music educator, she enjoys school residency programs, and is in demand as a workshop leader for classroom and music teachers, writers, and librarians.
Susan has an exceptional way of helping listeners experience a story. She sparkles, and audiences respond.