Charly Chiarelli (Kingston)

Charly has been involved in many facets of storytelling since the inception of the Toronto storytelling festival over 30 years ago. He has grown with storytelling and beyond – to theatre, cinema and musical composition. His three major storytelling works are CuFu, Mangiacake and Sunamabeach – each are 2 act stories of the joys and tribulations of immigration and transformation. Charly is also a master of the harmonica so perk up your ears. His works for for adults and children have been performed internationally, and have received extensive television coverage. If you seek out his name in cyberspace, there are enough “boggle” entries to “google” the mind.

Donna Dudinsky (Toronto)

A former documentary television producer, Donna Dudinsky tells old tales to the young at heart. Specializing in folk and fairy tales from around the world, Donna tells in English and French at storytelling festivals, schools, libraries and concerts across Canada. Known primarily as a children’s storyteller, she can be heard on Dial-A-Story sponsored by The Toronto Public Library system. Donna was a featured teller at Buffalo Jump, Razzmatazz and Performers for Literacy’s Second Story. She is on the Executive of Storytellers for Children, a Directory member of Storytelling Toronto and a member of Storytellers of Canada.

Ivan Coyote (Vancouver)

Ivan Coyote was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. An award-winning author of six collections of short stories, one novel, three CD’s, four short films and a renowned performer, Ivan’s first love is live storytelling, and over the last thirteen years she has become an audience favourite at music, poetry, spoken word and writer’s festivals from Anchorage to Amsterdam.

Sarah Granskou (Kitchener)

Sarah Granskou applies her Canadian sense of innovation to Nordic oral tradition. Known internationally for her intricate yet accessible poetic recitations, Sarah integrates fiddle, song, jaw harp and puppetry in a fluid narrative. Sarah has performed at storytelling festivals from Ontario to the Yukon and Norway and for hundreds of community audiences. Her performance is humourous and moving for all ages.

Ruthanne Edward (Ottawa)

Ruthanne Edward is a storyteller from Ottawa who can’t watch scary movies with her eyes open, but adores scaring other people by telling them spooky stories. She is also Slam Master of Once Upon A Slam, Ottawa’s story slam series and loves the challenge of telling a story in just 5 minutes.

Tanya Davis (Halifax)

Tanya Davis is a poet who makes music, too. Coinciding with the release of her 3^rd album, Clocks and Hearts Keep Going, was the infectious popularity of her and Andrea Dorfman’s videopoem, How to be Alone, which, by now, as been seen over 3 million times on youtube. Tanya was also recently named the Mayor’s Poet Laureate of Halifax.

The Fugitives (Vancouver)

The Fugitives are the combined talents of Vancouver artists Adrian Glynn, Barbara Adler, Steve Charles, and Brendan McLeod. A group of multi-instrumentalists, songwriters, poets and novelists, each with their own burgeoning solo career, they’ve won individual accolades as diverse as the Canadian SLAM poetry championship, CBC poet laureate, and a place in the Peak performance songwriting series. But their primary focus lies in banding together to integrate their sensibilities into a dynamic mix of modern folk.

Great Wooden Trio (Toronto, Milton, Guelph)

GWT is more than live music and more than spoken word; it is a unique combination of song, story, and music. GWT’s material ranges from original compositions to re-worked classics threaded through myths, legends, ballads, peppered with tales of enlightenment and personal experience, with a healthy dose of embellishment. The GWT are four good friends linked from Toronto to Guelph, who weave the art of storytelling into a fabric of tasty harmonies and acoustic grooves. This unique blend has quickly sprouted GWT fans all across southern Ontario.

Mary-Eileen McClear (Baden)

Mary-Eileen McClear does not actually live in The Story Barn in Baden, but she births many stories there. Her almost 30 years as a freelance teller have taken her from Newfoundland to B.C. and south of the border. Ask her, though, and she’ll tell you, there’s no place like The Barn.

Gail Fricker (Stratford)

Gail Fricker has told stories all around the world – from Japan to Kenya, Thailand to Denmark! She blends international folk tales with music and song, creating lively, participatory performances for all ages.

Brenda Byers (Burlington)

Kindled by a family who cherishes music, dancing, and colourful memories, Brenda Byers weaves stories blended with ballads. She tells at festivals, house concerts, schools, and kitchen tables. Artistic Director of Storywyse, she is brazen but meddles not in the affairs of dragons.

La’Ron Williams (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

La’Ron Williams is a nationally acclaimed, award-winning storyteller who has toured extensively presenting programs and workshops. An audience favourite at the St. Marys Storytelling Festival, his music-spiced, highly participatory performances present a dynamic blend of original and traditional tales crafted to help improve literacy, encourage community, foster cooperation, promote peaceful conflict resolution and build self-esteem.

Aaron Bell (Brantford)

Aaron has shared his gifts of First Nations storytelling to critical acclaim from both teachers and students. His engagements are entertaining as well as educational. His presence captures the imaginations of all audience members, young and old, through his use of voice, stage awareness and confidence. The true art form of the First Nations Storyteller is realized within his presentations. One thing that distinguishes Aaron from other performers is his true caring within what he is doing. From the moment Aaron takes to the stage, audience members are immediately aware something special is going to happen.

His travels have led him on many paths throughout his life, but this is what he loves to do… which is share the teachings and the culture of the First Nations people of Southern Ontario with those who wish to learn through the magic of the spoken word, drama and humour.

Gonrah Desgohwah White Pine Dancers (Brantford)

White Pine Dancers are a group of family and friends who love to share their gifts of song, story and dance with audiences both young and old, international and local.  Vibrant regalia, booming drums and teachings of a culture who have lived beside us for the past five hundred years are shared in a dynamic, interactive performance .

Brad Woods (Guelph)

Brad Woods is a Storyteller because he can’t think of why not to be one. He has told tales at festivals, conferences, theatres, prisons, churches and pubs all over North America and the UK. Brad has recently returned from a Telling and Listening Tour of Britain, and is excited to once again share his stories in St. Marys.

The Wildwood Flowers (Stratford)

Canada’s Premier Mother/Daughter Duo THE WILDWOOD FLOWERS are hot off Nashville’s famous stages. Unique vocal blends, versatile musicianship, inspired original song-writing with Country, Americana, Roots, Maritime and traditional influences. You can laugh, sing and dance along with Stratford’s own THE WILDWOOD FLOWERS.