Micki Beck
Apsley, ON
(705)656-3903
Micki is a storytelling elder,
starting her storytelling journey
some 60 years ago. Over the
years, she has worked as an
individual, and in groups through
schools and universities to the
theatre stage and television studio.
Brenda Beck
Gore's Landing, ON
(905)342-2140
Brenda specializes in the folk art and stories of South India. Her interest in storytelling began when she discovered a major folk epic performed orally, over eighteen nights, in rural Tamil Nadu. In January 1965, she tape recorded that legend in full. In January 2025, she revisited the Tamil Nadu area to explore how that story's re-telling had changed over the decades. Brenda tells and performs stories to audiences in Durham Region and Scarborough.
Dianne Chandler
Port Perry, ON
Dianne has been weaving words of story magic, myth and mystery for all ages for many years. She performs a repertoire of global folk/fairy literary tales, and special seasonal programs with drama, passion, sensitivity and humour, often in costume.
Doris Cherkas
Oshawa, ON
Doris specializes in Ukrainian
folktales and personal stories
about being an immigrant in
Canada. She also delights her
audiences with holiday
and special themed stories.
Kesha Christie
Ajax, ON
(289)200-9538
Kesha Christie is a dynamic storyteller who captivates audiences with her animated storytelling style. She brings stories to life, transporting listeners on an unforgettable journey through African and Caribbean folktales, Anansi stories, Aesop’s fables, historical narratives, and original tales. Whether performing for schools, community groups, or special events, Kesha weaves culture, wisdom, and entertainment into every story she tells.
Irene Chromej-Johnston
Oshawa, ON
(905)259-2308
Irene studied with Storytelling Toronto and has performed at various venues over the years. She takes pleasure in bringing to life all kinds of stories, both old and new, and usually with an interesting twist at the end. She also enjoys the challenge of writing creative stories based on a theme or memoire. These tales add to her repertoire to present an enjoyable experience to a variety of audiences.
Enid DeCoe
Courtice, ON
Enid is a retired kindergarten teacher who loves to tell stories. She has told in various settings for many years, including as a school board’s official storyteller. Enid tells with dramatic flair and wonderful facial expression. Most of her stories are fairy tales and folk tales, relating to a theme. Her repertoire includes story varieties to suit any age or occasion. Enid is a refreshing, passionate storyteller!
Peter Dowse
Ajax, ON
Peter branched out into storytelling, after applying public speaking skills at Toastmasters. Today, storytelling has become his passion. He enjoys researching historical events and presenting them in a storytelling format, personalizing the characters to add impact to the story.
Ron Getz
Port Hope, ON
(905) 885-8989
Ron grew up with the storytelling traditions of the Ottawa Valley. He loves telling tales of a Valley childhood and stories drawn from the rich mine of Canadian history. He specializes in programs built around a theme.
Kim Michele
Pickering, ON
Kim engages her audiences by creating a magical aura of ambience, by blending her enchanting voice with the sounds on the ancient harp, and by combining story, music and song to create a variety of programming. She trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music for Voice, Classical Harp and for the Artist Educator program "Learning through the Arts", and in Celtic Studies at the University of Toronto. She draws from her many programs to tailor new and custom ones to coincide with themes or seasons. Kim brings an eclectic mix of melodies, songs and old ballads to tales of fairy/folklore, myths, legends, poetry, rhyme, history, heritage and original stories to enhance and create varied programming for children to adults.
Angelica Ottewill
Havelock, ON
Angelica Ottewill is a classically trained harpist and vocalist, who combines the art of storytelling with music. Her repertoire includes medieval, Celtic and historical stories, as well as folktales from many cultures. Angelica can be contacted through her website. She also has YouTube videos.
Summi Siddiqui
Ajax, ON
Author-Poet-Teacher – Motivational speaker-Artist-Performer – Travelling Storyteller… Summi Siddiqui travels around the world connecting cultures. She has organized lectures, workshops
in Toronto, abroad and in British Council Centers. With her stories, poems, paintings, performance, she hopes to inspire the younger generation towards oral storytelling.
Kathleen Smyth
Bowmanville, ON
(905)259-2925
Kathleen has been telling stories most of her life, as a writer and a storyteller. She enjoys researching and recanting stories about historical characters, especially strong women. Kathleen loves folktales from her Irish/Scottish heritage. She enjoys telling personal stories that amuse, inform, and inspire. In addition, Kathleen guides older adults to evoke old memories and tell their personal stories too!
Roberta Ann Walker
Peterborough, ON
(705)741-2889
Roberta has always written poetry and sung in choirs and at concerts. She is a musician, playing violin and viola; singer-songwriter with CD of her music; writer of poetry and short story books; and performer in community
theatre. Roberta joined Durham Storytellers to share her own tales, and learn a whole new repertoire of stories. She weaves words and music into a magical spell of entertainment for her audiences ---- wherever folks are ready to listen to the ancient art of storytelling.
Heather Whaley
Bowmanville, ON
Heather has performed for over 30 years, and worked as a Children's and Adult Fiction Library Assistant. She is a seasoned musical storyteller and singer-songwriter. Her performances include original, contemporary, folk, and blues music, combined with traditional tales, family and personal stories, songs, and traditional ballad singing. Her preschool and school-age children’s programs are a mix of stories, songs, and tales of virtue.