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About Rachel Hedman
Rachel Hedman
PO Box 160631
Clearfield, UT 84016
(801) 870-5799
rachel@storytellingadventures.comDirector and Storyteller Rachel Hedman, as family folklore expert and youth storytelling advocate, looks to the future by first looking in the home.
She promotes positive communication and relationships through the Family Famine Series while revealing emotions that are often hidden in the heart.
Sometimes Rachel adopts musicians, singers, dancers and tellers for collaborative efforts much like a reunion of artists.
Websites of Rachel's Projects:
* Family Famine Series
* Year of the Adopted Family Series
What Makes Rachel Unique?
1. Family Folklore Expert
To tap into the essence of the father/daughter relationship, Rachel researched 72 King Midas versions. She dedicates time for each tale in the Family Famine Series as a sign of respect to the culture as well as to the roles found within the home. Her Storytelling Masters thesis will explore the adoptive parent/child relationship through adoption folktales from around the world.
2. Youth Storytelling Advocate
She stumbled upon the path of storyteller as a sophomore in high school, and she wished to make the path more visible for future generations. She serves as friend and mentor to youth tellers on local, national, and international levels. Request a free 20-page pdf booklet on Storytelling Basics by Geoff Draper and edited by Rachel Hedman by emailing info@rachelhedman.com.
3. Visionary/Leader of Global Storytelling Movements
Through a how-to blog and an e-newsletter, she shares trends and ideas that sometimes inspire the art’s future, especially with the younger generation. Rachel has founded, created, or led several storytelling organizations since 1997. She imagines a time when a story coalition with United Nations/Olympics influences will exist to guide the human family in the art.
Reserve today for Professional Storyteller Rachel Hedman!
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Experience
And the leadership continues...Rachel Hedman may look young, though almost half of her 32-year-old life has guided others in the art.
Here is a sampling:
* Board Member, National Youth Storytelling Showcase Provo, UT, 9/10 - Current
* President, Utah Storytelling Guild, Layton, UT, 2/10 - Current
* Board Member, Weber State University Storytelling Festival (Storytelling Chair), Ogden, UT, 9/08 - Current
* Workshop Presenter, National Storytelling Conference, St. Louis, MO, 7/14/07
* Co-Chair, National Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance, Midvale, UT, 7/05 - 7/07
* Board Member, National Youth Storytelling Special Interest Group, Fresno, CA, 8/04 - 7/07
* Board Member, National Youth Storytelling Olympics, Hanford, CA, 10/02 - 12/04
* Membership Coordinator, Voices of the Valley Storytelling Guild, Fresno, CA, 2/03 -3/05
* Honors Thesis Writer, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah--Interviewed 24 national storytellers and key people in the American Storytelling Movement
* Founder and President, Brigham Young University Storytelling Club, Provo, UT, 1/98 - 4/01
* Storytelling Representative, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 9/3/00 - 9/4/00
* Weekly Storytelling Presenter, Legacy Elementary School, American Fork, UT, 1/00 - 3/00
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Storytelling Venues of the Past
- Libraries, Churches, Shelters, Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, Art Councils, Zoos
- Colleges, Museums, Storytelling Festivals, Statewide Annual StoryFest, Company Events/Celebrations, Conferences
- 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 decided to prove to myself that I was a great storyteller. By senior year, I received 5th place at the Wisconsin State Tournament.
When entering college, I saw storytelling as my career and chose my major accordingly: Communications Marketing. Meanwhile, I jumpstarted the BYU Storytelling Club.
All other storytelling leadership positions have been influenced from these high school and college days.
Sometimes the journey of life is so clear that it almost seems there are no choices in the matter. But there were always choices. I could have quit storytelling from the moment I stumbled the story during sophomore year. I could have focused more fully on college studies and ignored the impulse to create a club. There were so many things I could have chosen not to do. Then I smile and remember what I have chosen.
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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
"Rachel, a 5'1", 104-pound bundle of dynamite with the largest eyes I have ever seen, drew the audience into her stories, and audience members later expressed desires that she would come back for more performances."
--Marilyn McArthur
Library Assistant II
Fresno County Public Library, CA
"Rachel brings a vibrant young and new energy into all the stories she tells. Listening to her is a whirlwind of fun."
--Kevin D. Cordi
Executive Director of Voices Across America Storytelling Project
Columbus, OH "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
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
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
Executive Director of Voices Across America Storytelling Project
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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