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About Rachel Hedman
Rachel Hedman
8180 South 700 East, Ste. 120
Sandy, UT 84070
(801) 870-5799
rachel@storytellingadventures.com Rachel Hedman is a fusion of energy who takes everyday events, discovers the adventures behind them, and shares the stories with every one of all ages.
Since 1994 she pursued the art, jumpstarted the BYU Storytelling Club in 1997, and performed on the National Youth Storytelling Olympics Board from 2002 to 2004. She now serves as Co-Chair for the Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance on a national level. She is spearheading the approval of the Boy Scouts of America storytelling merit badge.
Rachel started her Storytelling Master's Program at East Tennessee State University in June 2006.
When asked why she tells stories, Rachel replied, "As soon as you open your mouth you are a storyteller. Many people go through life not realizing the importance of their lives and the stories they carry within. Sometimes all it takes is for one storyteller to open the eyes of another storyteller."
Delve into a storyteller life through her Blog.
Reserve today for Professional Storyteller Rachel Hedman!
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Experience
Workshop Presenter, National Storytelling Conference, St. Louis, MO, 7/14/07Identified resources/partnerships that will secure storytelling performance and workshop contracts with colleges, universities, or anywhere 18-30-year-olds can be found
Opened communication for the 45 attendees of "College Big Cats: Tracking and Capturing the Performance" beyond the session for questions/answers Member, Utah Storytelling Guild, Midvale, UT, 3/05 - PresentPromote storytelling performers/events such as StoryFest, Tellabration and Timpanogos Storytelling Festival
Polish performance and coaching skills so as to represent self to audience in positive ways Co-Chair, National Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance, Midvale, UT, 7/05 - PresentSynchronize curriculum standards with the use of story in the classroom
Prepare and lead workshops, conference calls, and projects for 215 members Board Member, National Youth Storytelling Special Interest Group, Fresno, CA, 8/04 - PresentCoordinate approval process for storytelling merit badge with Boy Scouts of America as well as other youth groups
Perpetuate youth storytelling through mentoring and coaching Board Member, National Youth Storytelling Olympics, Hanford, CA, 10/02 - 12/04Promoted and attended event by gathering sponsors and advertisers for 15 youth finalists from elementary to high school plus family members and coaches
Mentored youth tellers through performance and microphone etiquette
Membership Coordinator, Voices of the Valley Storytelling Guild, Fresno, CA, 2/03 -3/05Encouraged attendance and participation from the other guild members
Arranged activities to unify the guild Honors Thesis Writer, Brigham Young University, Provo, UTInterviewed 24 national storytellers and key people in the American Storytelling Movement
Analyzed the transformation of the storyteller's role and identity
Founder and President, Storytelling Club, Provo, UT, 1/98 - 4/01Wrote club charter, found advisors, advertised, and recruited members
Received "New Club of the Year" out of 20 new clubs at BYU
Accepted "Service Award" and "Historian Award" out of 80 clubs in 2001
Represented club at United Club Council and University Student Council Storytelling Representative, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 9/3/00 - 9/4/00Flown to Napa, CA to share stories with international ambassadors and their families Storytelling Presenter, Legacy Elementary School, American Fork, UT, 1/00 - 3/00Organized and taught eight workshops for 9 kids between 3rd and 5th grade
Acquired supplies, storytelling games, and activities
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Storytelling Venues of the Past
- Libraries, Churches, Shelters, Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, Art Councils, Chaffee Zoo, Hogle Zoo
- Colleges, BYU Museum of Art, Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, Statewide Annual StoryFest, Company Events/Celebrations, National Storytelling Conference (workshop presenter)
- Youth Groups, Ranches, Camps, Family Reunions, Scouts Events
- Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools
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Background
Ever since a sophomore in high school, the stage has beckoned to me. My former National Forensics League Coach would laugh at how I have progressed with my skills since my first telling when plot was scrambled, voices were mixed up, and ending was forgotten. Upon this failure I wondered if I should continue, but I decided to prove to myself that I was a great storyteller. By senior year, I received 5th place at the Wisconsin State Tournament.
When I entered college, I saw storytelling as a possible career and I chose my major accordingly: Communications Marketing. Meanwhile, I jumpstarted the BYU Storytelling Club.
After graduation, I moved to Fresno, California and joined the Voices of the Valley Storytelling Guild and became part of the Board for the National Youth Storytelling Olympics. Eventually, I was invited on the Board for the Youth Storytelling Special Interest Group and spearheaded the creation of the storytelling merit badge for the Boy Scouts of America. To add to the merit badge venture, I was elected as Co-Chair for Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (YES!) in July 2005.
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Awards
- Mentorship Grant/J.J. Reneaux
Received face-to-face coaching Sept. 12, 2006 to Sept. 15, 2006 with National Storyteller Don Doyle
Notified November 2005 of acceptance - National Storytelling Network Grant
Attended 2004 National Storytelling Conference in Bellingham, WA - NSN/New Voices Grant
Attended 2005 National Storytelling Conference in Okalahoma City, OK
- Arne Nixon Award
Given once a year to an outstanding storyteller/storyteacher determined by the Lemoore High School Students
Received April 2005 - Publication of Story
Found in Nov./Dec. 2005 Storytelling Magazine entitled
"Telling the Notes"
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What Others Say About Rachel
"You paint a great picture while telling your story."
--Paul Hardy
Parent/Attendee
Museum of Anthropology
Utah State University, Logan, UT "Thank you so much for doing this (workshop and performance) for us today. We definitely want you back another time."
--Shannyn Davis
College Student Intern
Museum of Anthropology
Utah State University, Logan, UT "Spellbinding for everyone attending. . .it kept my grandson with autism entertained. Thank you so much."
--Marilyn R. Lawrence
Substitute Teacher
Davis School District, UT "I love how your stories reach out to people of any age. You let the viewers participate with you. It put such a smile on my face to be part of that--I couldn't stop laughing in the fox/bear story. I love your stories."
--Jessica
Teenager
UT "You kept my daughter's attention the whole time. That's hard to do."
--Ryan Hadley
Parent/Attendee
Layton, UT "Enthralling and Awesome. The message of survival--I was in awe of the research and the depth of the story."
--Janine Nishiguchi
Professional Storyteller
Bountiful, UT
(referring to "Hephaestus: Fire Within" program) "You kept your characters and their personalities distinct and their emotions could be experienced. Each time you returned to a character, he or she was 'right where you left him or her'. . .ready to pick up where you left off! Bravo!"
--Carol Esterreicher
Professional Storyteller and Author
www.carolstories.com
Draper, UT
(referring to "Hephaestus: Fire Within" program)
"We loved it. Your stories kept the attention of 4-year-old Jack which is a great feat! You are great with children and adults."
--Sanford Porter
Parent/Attendee
Holladay Library, Holladay, UT "I'd rather do this than watch 'American Idol'. I laughed, I cried, it moved me!"
--Amanda
Teenager
UT "Loved it! It was entertaining and educational."
--Parent/Attendee
East Millcreek Library
Salt Lake City, UT "All 6 of my kids of various ages loved it. . .very gripping."
--Val Johnson
Parent/Attendee
Farmington Storytelling Festival, UT "I really enjoyed it and I loved it so much that I told them to my mom."
--Emma
1st Grade Student
UT "I expected enthusiasm and imagination and the stories had both."
--Suzanne Heaton
Youth Services Librarian
Smith Library, Salt Lake City, UT "I really enjoyed the stories. I especially liked the Story Pox story. It reminded me of myself."
--Katriha
Attendee/Elementary Student
Hunter Library, West Valley City, UT "It's amazing how you can keep all ages-from adults to teenagers to toddlers-entertained to the edge of their seats with a story."
--Valerie Barrow
Professional Mom/Day Care Provider
Fresno, CA
"I'm A.D.D. and it kept my attention!"
--Julie P.
Parent at family PTA event
Oak Hills Elementary School
Bountiful, UT "The stories were interesting and fun and geared to children. Yes--you did a lovely job. This was a great way to start the day."
--Arlene Alvey
Parent at family PTA event
Oak Hills Elementary School
Bountiful, UT "Very enjoyable! You had the audience mesmerized."
--Lesa Landrith
Parent at family PTA event
Oak Hills Elementary School
Bountiful, UT "You really get the audience participating in your story with you! You leave your audience wanting to see and hear you again and again!"
--Carol Esterreicher
Professional Storyteller and Author
www.carolstories.com
Draper, UT "She wants to know all she can; she is truly committed to the art. I know with the opportunity her community will be enriched."
--Kevin D. Cordi
National Youth Storytelling Consultant
Executive Director of Voices Across America Storytelling Project
www.youthstorytelling.com
Columbus, OH "I felt like I was actually inside the story. It's cool!"
--David
4th Grade Student
CA "EVERYONE knows her because she is involved in EVERYTHING. No matter what capacity you are in need of, Rachel Hedman will not disappoint you. For organization, leadership, integrity, creativity, vision or mere joy of performance, having her work for you is like gaining the work of 3 or 4 people. I cannot recommend anyone more highly."
--Nancy Fraleigh
Hanford High School Teacher/Coach
Fresno, CA "Energetic and enchanting is a story told by Rachel Hedman. As she charms a tale, you will laugh, think and smile and come away delighted."
--Julianne Petersen
Cytogeneticist
Salt Lake City, UT
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