Thank You Amorah, Magic Lady,

                                                                     for coming to visit our School today.

                                                                                      Come back and stay.

                                                                                                                            Love, Abigail

 

 

Dear Reader,

I have been richly blessed to have brought the gifts of story, song and circle dance to every venue imaginable, as near as the neighborhood and as far away as across America, Mexico, Australia, Europe and India. A storyteller travels to where he or she is invited. Here you will find a few of my references and recommendations over these past many years. My favorites continue to be the pictures and letters from children. I also recognize the value in hearing the story praises from the adults known as principals, teachers, librarians and parents. May you enjoy reading and imagining the places I have been and..... how wonder-filled it would be to invite me to where you are ! 

References below that are from Schools, Libraries and various Public venues have been shortened. I am happy to supply the originals in full by sending a copy to you.

I choose to offer these compliments about my services in rainbow colors to honor the coming of the Rainbow Nation when all people practice living in harmony upon our shared earth.

ENCORE ! ENCORE !

Smithfield, VA                           Young Audiences Tour

I had just finished my 4th assembly at an elementary school in on a performing tour for Young Audiences. After the applause, there was a moment of quiet. Then a loud voice from the auditorium audience, exclaiming these words!  I delight in this memory.

   I was eager to meet my enthusiastic fan, and listener, a 2nd grader named Kevin.

 

No one in the audience moved when Ms. Vecchia finished her story. For three days she enthralled secondary students with world-wide yarns, stirred their creativity and gave them an experience of attending the theatre.

The New York Times

 

Moriah's marvelous audience participation and shining love of literature delighted all ages. We hired her  for one program and quickly engaged her storytelling service for our 3 Darwin libraries every month. She is representative of the best in an American import and has quite a devoted following here among children, parents and adults.

Robyn Tonks       Darwin Public Libraries    Northern Territory  Australia

 

To   Miss Moriah,

You remind me of a sun because you are so happy all of the time. You're always smiling. I respect that. Thank you for coming to my school each week for drama. We loved putting on the play with you. We will miss you.

Jason Murphy   Grade 4       LaGunita School      Salinas, CA

Moriah Vecchia is a wonderful addition to our already excellent line-up of  teachers and presenters;  our experts here at Elder Hostel. People come for a week to the Big Sur Inn to learn about the history, geology and culture of this remarkable and glorious part of the planet called Big Sur, California. Here in the Redwood forest by the Pacific Ocean, Moriah educated, enthralled, enterained and enriched with her pan-cultural Native American stories, teachings, chants, song, drum and circle dance. Our participants are professional people, older adults who are sophisticated and discriminating, often world travelers. They are a discerning group and want to leave informed, and having a positive growth experience from their time with us.

Moriah received high praises in each evaluation session for her StoryTelling Program. She personally researched the Essalen Tribe here in Big Sur, to add that awareness and knowledge for our audiences.

We found her very gifted and bearing the gifts of stories, songs, chants, and circle dance. She got  hesitant people up  and turned them into dancers holding rattles, playing drums and chanting ! Quite an accomplishment. Moriah has a warm and dramatic style and is an an expert in her craft and in how she conducts herself. We highly recommend her programs for other Elder Hostels.  

Louise Post               Elder Hostel         Big Sur, California   

 

First we engaged storyteller Moriah Vecchia for a church pot-luck supper. That was such a treat that we invited her back for an intergenerational evening concert. Folks still wanted more so we had her as our feature to weave a weekend retreat. She is absolutely marvelous at weaving story, song, prayer and parable and easily learned circle dances for all ages. Our time with Moriah was rich, fun and uplifting. She brings a warm, welcoming spiritual presence  that exudes joy and delight in sharing her craft. We have been thrice blessed and look forward to more in the future.

First Friends Meeting    Greensboro, North Carolina

What a great day our students had with you fascinating them with stories from all over the world. Your presentation, your props, your body language, your dramatic voice, yor smile and encouragement for them as storywriters and tellers too; all worked together for a memorable occasion. We've had wonderful reactions from staff and students singing your praises. Thanks for giving 150% and being warm and welcoming with each group. We look forward to your storytelling gifts and talents being shared here again in the future.

Ann Curran     Mother and Cultural Enrichment Chair    McKinley School PTA     CT 

Moriah Vecchia brought her magical storytelling called Appley Good and Autumn Gold to us one fall. We were so taken with her, as were our families  here for the weekend, that we invited her back for her Native American program at Thanksgiving and then for her December Story Gifts over the holiday vacation in December. And that was just the beginning. We only select the best and Moriah is .... simply the Best. Hire her for any occasion and watch your group be delighted. She is also the consumate professional, shows up early, sets an inviting stage, ( with all manner of props, folk instruments, even book recommendations, materials for creative dramatics),  warmly welcomes people, is at home with all ages, smiles often. Of course, she excells at her craft and gives generously of her time,staying to chat with people afterwards. They love her here and so do we. The compliments continue in our dining room after, where I have personally witnessed children and their parents continue to smile and retell her tales.

Mohonk Mountain House            New Paltz,  New York

Moriah invites children into the world of Native Americans through her creative and dramatic storytelling, questioning and listening. My 4th graders were priviledged to share their learnings with skits, enhanced by Moriah's talented coaching and wealth of spiritual and cultural wisdom. Past and present lifestyles of Native American tribes blended in Moriah's natural ability to connect with all ages. She also presented her awe inspiring collection of artifacts and generously shared her rattles used in the teaching of chants and songs. Moriah is an unforgettable performer and carries a deep reverence for the earth and the ability to teach thru her storytelling.  We will long remember this enriching day.

Nancy Thurmond                Teacher                  Brookfield, CT

a True Tale

Child:  "Daddy, can we take that Storyteller home with us? I want to see her tell stories every day. She is so much fun ! "

Father: "I would like that too son, but we have to check with your mother."

One of my favorite comments from my 10 year storytelling stint at

 Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel, CT

The Roots and Shoots groups invited storyteller Moriah Vecchia to their schools. The students enjoyed her presentations immensely and appreciated the insights provided by the stories. Comments included:

"She is inspiring. I liked hearing how the stars got in the sky. I enjoyed the dramatic way she told stories. I liked the way she used her hands and the way of narrated, and the music. I liked everything!"

As an environmental educator, I highly recommend Moriah for your programs.

Martin Smith           Director                Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots

Moriah is a multi-talented presenter that all ages of listeners respond to. Her shows for us at Borders haev been highlyparticipatory and wonderfully received to standing room only crowds. She brings a wealth of literary expertise in folklore and contemporary children's literature, including stories, poetry, props, song, movment and more in each show. Parents hav enjoyed seeing their children engage in literacy by joining Moriah in acting out a story. Her easy and relaxing manner even has adults standing up in front of the audience to join in performing a story, quite a testimony to her talent with facilitating groups . She always makes herself available afterwards to discuss book selections with parents.

Plus ! She actually helps sell books by holding them up from our own shelves during her programs. What more could a bookstore ask for?

Hundreds of Peninsula families and unaccompanied adults drawn to the laughter and joy from the children's corner here have thoroughly been enriched by her programs for us the past 2 years.

 Dorothy Ganders   Borders Books and Music    Monterey, CA

Moriah was a wonderful and engaging part of our Pumpkin Sail these past few years. Her autumn and worldwide folklore and songs, riveted young and old at our riverfront parks. She has a cooperative spirit to live with the other performers on the boat. Her drumming and chant was a particular treat at the nightly concerts. We look forward to future events with her.

                            ClearWater                  Poughkeepsie, New York                      

 

Thank you Moriah for coming to be a part of our Rendevous in the Park.Your storytelling was a highlight for all the families that gathered. Thank you for being one of the folks keeping the folk traditions alive and for doing that  so well.  

Folk Festival          Moscow,  Idaho

We chose Moriah to join our school community as an  media specialist because of her storytelling expertise with elementary-age children. She is a dynamic and very creative individual whose knowledge of literature has encouraged and developed listeners and readers. A literary highlight for us is her weekly telling of a story over the school intercom which all ages and staff have enjoyed. We wish her the best as she departs to become a professional storyteller.

John Boyle   Principal           Johnson School       CT

Dear Moriah, Thank you for your wonderful storytelling programs over the last 2 years. When you eagerly auditioned and performed the folktale and the food story, I knew we would have to try you out as a special treat to offer our patrons. You have proven to be a hit with the families and the adults. I have watched people's enthusiasm to gather with you around the outdoor fire on our weekend nights to be warmed by your lovely presence, animated style and dramatic demeanor. I have overheard guests remark on your talents, testified to with keeping a crowd wanting to stay and hear more after your ending tale. I am also aware of your generous nature in lingering afterwards to further engage with people. We have also loved your participation in our autumn happenings. Thank you for making such a captivating and unique contribution to our community programs.

Lenora Brown, Innkeeper    The Publick House   Sturbridge, MA

Bravo Moriah ! All of us here thank you for a wonderful day of storytelling. The audience participation with all grades was superb. As a mother, avid reader and PTA organizer, your great program of story and song was very exciting and enriching.

                                                    Fran Pugliese          Orange Avenue School       CT

Moriah is a master storyteller who has the innate ability to draw the audience's total attention and involvement. I have had the good fortune to experience her storytelling on two different occasions which I shall highlight here. As the assistant Principal at John Jay High School, I wss involved in the planning for an interdisciplinary day. In this setting, I watched Moriah's talents with secondary studnets, a diverse, difficult group at best. She entranced them with Native American teachings and stories, helped them re-connect to their earth, and generally moved the students to the point that many would not leave to go on to the next session, but sought to stay with her.

Moriah was also a storyteller at Danbury, CT's annual First Night, a new year's event held nationally. All evening, Moriah told stories involving young and old, not knowing beforehand how many people would attend or what the mix would be. She not only successfully enthralled us all; many stayed for a second session !

I highly recommend Moriah Vecchia as an artist, storyteller, and expert in Native American culture for any school or community setting. Her ability to make history come alive, her sense of connection with Mother Earth, and her instinct about audiences will provide an education for young people that often is lost in today's impersonal society.

                                                  Susan E. Rosengrant    Principal    Shrub Oak  New York

On behalf of the Oxford Historical Society, we thank you for a most enjoyable evening spent listening to your story selections.The group was enthusiastic about you as I heard from many afterwards expressing having a wonderful time. Continuing the age-old art of storytelling is commendable, especially as you do it so admirably.

                                                    Jayne Crepeau   Oxford Historical Society   CT

 

             

 May You Walk In Beauty and In Balance

This Day or Eve on Mother Earth

 

Give Your Own Rave Reviews to People EveryDay

With your Family, to your Friends, at the Grocery Store, the Post Office, the Library and EveryWhere Your Journey Takes You so our World Ah...Wakens in Wonder