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Jim Pfitzer
www.JimPfitzer.com
Storyteller Jim Pfitzer would rather paddle a canoe than drive a car and prefers watching birds to watching television. He has stared a black bear in the eye, held a hummingbird in his hand and waited an hour for a bull moose to let him pass. He has backpacked Grand Canyon and rafted the Snake River.
Whether recalling efforts to raise an owl in his bedroom, sharing a close encounter with a bear, or recounting a hunt for the Dread Mock Turtle on the banks of Possum Creek, Jim's gentle delivery takes you back in time as if you were there yourself.
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For the older folks, Jim tells stories like Sweet Tea, reminding us of the importance of shared rituals and The Honeymooners which exposes the power of a fifty-year romance. Younger folk love Henry III, a zany account of his attempts at taming things better left wild and Marlin Perkins, King Daddy and the Dread Mock Turtle which reveals the inherent power in a child’s imagination. And as Jim never stops “remembering,” the stories keep coming.
Jim resides in a little house in the Fort Negley Neighborhood of Chattanooga where his family roots go back more than 100 years. He keeps a small garden in his side yard and can frequently be seen paddling one of his canoes on the Tennessee River through the heart of downtown. To get even farther away, Jim grabs his fly rod and heads for the smaller, faster waters of his beloved Smoky Mountains.
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Noah Lepp
Noah Lepp is 7 years old and has been telling stories for 4 years. In May, 2007, he won the Youth Division (17 and under) of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest with a story he wrote himself, and has told stories in Utah, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. |
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Along with telling stories, Noah enjoys reading, video games, and sports. He is a member of the Glendale Dolphins Swim Team, the River Ridge Church basketball team, and South Charleston Little League. He also likes rock climbing, bike riding, tennis and soccer, and his favorite football team is the Green Bay Packers. Noah also competes on the Home School Chess Team. Even though these activities keep him busy, he is currently working on his first book, called “The Missing Script”. His favorite subjects in school are science, especially astronomy, and geography. He does not like handwriting practice.
When Noah grows up, he wants to be President of the United States, so get ready to vote for him in the 2036 election. Noah lives in Charleston, WV with his dad, mom and little sister, Ellie. He loves being a big brother, and thinks Ellie is pretty funny. |
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Mama Koku
www.mamakoku.com
Mama Koku (a.k.a Donna "Kokumo" Buie) is a Master Storyteller and children's writer. She is also an educator who has taught children at all age levels, from pre-school to high school.
Koku graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University, majoring in Theatre Arts with concentrations in Performance and Education. During her studies at NCCU, she received several awards from both the Education and Drama departments for outstanding achievements in scholarship, performance and service. Mama Koku is a member of the Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, The National Association of Black Storytellers, and the Southern Order of Storytellers.
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| Koku has performed as Featured Teller for The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, The National Black Arts Festival, The Decatur Children's Festival, Grant Park’s Summer Shade Festival, Minneapolis' Signifyin' & Testifyin' Storytelling Festival, Rhode Island’s Funda Fest, Jacksonville, Florida’s Griot Festival, The National Association of Black Storytellers Adopt-A-Teller Program (New Orleans), Florida’s Panhandle Library System, The Apex Museum, The Wren's Nest, The High Museum of Art, Zoo Atlanta, The Fulton County Arts Council, and several church, library, school and private venues throughout Georgia. |
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Blessid NiaYemi Ogedegbe is 9 years old. She has been experiencing storytelling since before she was born due to her mother, (Mama Koku), being a storyteller. At a very young age, Blessid was exposed to some of the best storytellers the USA has to offer, as she joined her mother at various storytelling festivals. People were always amazed to see a three year old sit and listen at a storytelling concert with no squirming, or potty breaks!
Blessid began telling herself at age 7, as a charter member of The Kuumba Youth Storytellers of GA. As a member, she received the opportunity to perform at private birthday parties, local metro-Atlanta libraries, elementary schools, and the National Teachers Association Conference & Convention. Highlights of Blessid’s storytelling career so far include several performances at Atlanta’s Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, The Southern Order of Storytellers’ Youth Tellabration, and a featured Youth Teller at The National Association of Black Storytellers Festival & Convention. Blessid is excited to add another national festival to her resume.
Blessid is a super honor roll student, and is a member of the Aquanauts, a metro Atlanta children’s swim team. She also takes violin and gymnastics lessons. How does she find time for storytelling? Blessid says, “I always make time for things that are fun! That’s Storytelling!” |
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