Storytelling Release: MIKE ANDERSON is one of the most versatile folk entertainers in the Midwest, and he is well known among central Illinois traditional music fans. Mike hosted a national award-winning children's TV show, created and ran the New Salem Storytelling Festival as well as the Clayville Music and Storytelling Festival, and was recognized as an outstanding Illinois educator as a 3rd grade teacher. He has been a featured teller at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival, Elko Storytelling Festival, Elko, NV, Festival International de Lousiane, Lafayette, LA, George West Storyfest, George West, TX, Haunting of the Hills, Big South Fork National Park, Oneida, TN, Illinois Storytelling Festival, Silver Dollar City Storytelling Festival, Branson, MO, New Salem Storytelling Festival, Petersburg, IL, and others. General Release Mike Anderson is one of the most versatile folk performers and educators in the Midwest. Under Mike’s leadership, the New Salem Storytelling Festival, and the Clayville Music and Storytelling Festival before that, events of national renown. Mike is also nationally renown, appearing at the Nat’l Mt. Music Festival, holding a prestigious position on the faculty of the Mt. Dulcimer Workshops at Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC and West Carolina Univ., NC, Dulcimer Workshops, and presenting workshops and concerts across the US. Mike’s children’s concerts are very popular. He received a National Children’s television award for his show "Mike’s Music Works." Under the auspices of the Illinois State Board of Education, Mike has conducted many teacher and parent workshops for developing literacy through the art of storytelling. His Early Childhood shows are legendary. Mike plays guitar, banjo, jaw harp, noseflute, bones, and more. He is best known as an outstanding mountain dulcimer player - one of the very best in the state and indeed the entire Midwest. As an author and elementary school teacher, Mike has honed his skills as a storyteller and is one of the best yarn-spinners and worst pun-tellers anywhere. The combination of music, storytelling, humor, and educational background has made Anderson one of the most sought after performers and speakers in the Midwest. Mike Anderson is a driving force on the Illinois folk scene and is one of the people we can thank for keeping traditional music and storytelling alive. --Bio written for the Southtown Coffeehouse, Springfield, IL and now the complete bio with discography, bibliography, videography and lots of other stuff. MIKE ANDERSON Musician, singer, mountain dulcimer player, storyteller, writer, author, workshop leader, educator, emcee The combination of music, storytelling and humor has made Mike Anderson one of the most sought-after speakers and performers from the Atlantic coast to Canada to the Gulf and all points in between. Internationally, Mike Anderson is part of the MMC Starlight/Encyclopedia Britannica International Storytelling Music and Storytelling Carnival in Taiwan for both years of its existence. Under the auspices of the Illinois State Board of Education, Mike has conducted many workshops for developing literacy through the art of storytelling. His Early Childhood shows are legendary. As an author and an elementary school teacher of 39 years, Mike earned accolades from his current principal who said, “He is a superb communicator, master teacher and an exceptional leader in any setting.” While the Mountain Dulcimer, Guitar, Banjo, Jaw Harp, and Nose Flute are a part of his trade, his power to guide teachers and students is among his greatest strengths. His workshops on “Promoting Higher Level Thinking Through Classroom Activities” and “Storytelling for Literacy for Early Childhood Teachers and Parents” have been nationally recognized. Mike Anderson holds an MA in Education from Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL. He has won numerous awards including two Parents’ Choice honors, Outstanding Educator Awards, and a National Federation of Local Cable Programming children’s programming award for the television show he wrote and hosted. Anna’s Old Boot, an audio collection of original short stories and songs, received a Recommended Honor from Parents’ Choice and a Gold Honor from the Children’s Music web and iParenting Publications: *The Magic Bag, the Travels of Hugo Kringle, 2015 * Early Childhood Reading Series, Readers And Story Publishing, South Korea 2013, 36 books * Growing Up With Santa, The Stories of Hugo Kringle (Holiday weekly radio series 2013) * Questions, audio book (Listen and Live Audio, Inc 2012) * The Phantom Teacher, chapter book for 2nd – 4th grade * Samuel and the Butterflies, picture book (Kiwi Publications, 2000) * Making Grandpa Smile, picture book (Kiwi Publications, 2000) * Storytelling For Literacy: The Stories of Aesop, teacher resource * Storytelling For Writing Literacy, teacher resource * Riding Trees, Denny and I, Volume 1 (Listen and Live Audio, Inc 2008), audio collection of short stories * The Great Sled Race, Danny and I, Volume 2 (Listen and Live Audio, Inc 2008), audio collection of short stories — 2000 Parents’ Choice Silver Honor * Anna’s Old Boot (MW Productions, 2003), audio collection of original songs and stories – 2003 Parents’ Choice, 2003 iParenting Honors, Children’s Music Web winner * Magazine articles on early Childhood Fears, Children Today. TELEVISION: · Illinois Stories – Mike and the Dulci-Kids · Host and writer for Mike’s Music Works - winner of top national honors in children’s programming - National Federation of Local Cable Broadcasters · Host and writer of Christmas at Clayville with Mike Anderson · Mr. Lincoln in Illinois - a PBS special - musical background · Fund raising host for PBS · Illinois Stories – Mike’s You-Can-Play workshop ONLINE PUBLICATIONS: · Samuel and the Butterflies · Making Grandpa Smile AUDIO BOOKS Riding Trees - Denny and I, Volume 1, Listen & Live Audio The Great Sled Race - Denny and I, Volume 2, Listen & Live Audio Questions, Listen & Live Audio OTHER PUBLICATIONS Hugo Kringle’s Sing-a-Long Songbook The Dulcimer Guy’s Songbook Mike Anderson’s Kids’ Song Book Sunday Songs for Kids Storytelling: A Mosaic of Missouri Tales Mountain Dulcimer Playing for the Visually Impaired Construction of the Classical Whanger and Other Lost Arts Storytelling for Literacy, the Stories of Aesop A Closer Look: Writings by Illinois Teachers So Many Songs… So Many Stories (a weekly newspaper article) DISCOGRAPHY: CHILDREN'S MUSIC: • In Came That Rooster • The Cat Came Back • Morning Town Ride • Christmas Songs STORYTELLING/SONGS: • Samuel and the Butterflies (Illinois State Board of Ed official Early Childhood recording 2000) • Anna's Old Boot - Parents' Choice, iParenting, & Children's Music Web award winner • The Dogs' Tale • The Big Hairy Spider STORYTELLING: • Riding Trees • The Great Sled Race (Parents' Choice Silver Award) • Growing Up with Santa MOUNTAIN DULCIMER MUSIC: • Mike Anderson Live on Stage • Mirrors • Ice Out • Solo; Not Alone • A Baker's Dozen • First Noel • O Holy Night • Christmas Duets • Great Mountain Dulcimer Players(Compilation Recording) • Dulcimer Celebrations (Compilation Recording) AWARDS • Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Month • iParenting 2004 award for Anna’s Old Boot • 2003 Parents’ Choice winner • 2003 Children’s Music Web Winner: Best Children’s Song • Fall 2000 Parents' Choice Silver Award • Illinois College Distinguished Alumni Award 2003 • Bill Russell Excellence in Education Award • Innovative Instructional Initiative Award • Mike's Music Works - Winner of top national honors in children's programming. (Mike was both Host and Writer) - National Federation of Local Cable Broadcasting • Who's Who Among American Teachers - Several years • Who’s Who in American Education 2003 • Who’s Who 2003 • Outstanding Young American - A national recognition award • Selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young People in Illinois • 1988 by the Illinois Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Community Advisor Board, Network Knowledge WSEC, WMEC, WQEC Television Board of director and Founding Member Prairie Grapevine Folklore Society Illini Storytelling Guild Illinois Education Association Illinois Reading Council Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Jacksonville Education Association Kappa Delta Phi National Education Association National Storytelling Association Northlands Storytelling Guild Riverwinds Storytelling Guild Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators – Illinois Chapter VIDEO: Mike Anderson Live! MOVIE DOCUMENTARIES Audience on Tour, DreamWorks |
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| Anderson is a strong musician with a pleasant voice. His personal tales are well-crafted… --The Bulletin Storytelling Review, Vol. 1, from the Center for Children’s Books |
| Mr. Anderson works well in structure and he excels in unstructured situations where he can utilize his creativity and problem solving skills. Mr. Anderson is one of the cornerstones of our school. He is a superb communicator, master teacher, a positive motivating force, and an exceptional leader in any setting. --Dr. Sue Saunders from Mike Anderson’s yearly evaluation |
| Steve Smith from North Carolina says of Mike Anderson: "As a result of Mike’s workshop, I think my next session for kids will be easier for me and more fun for the kids." |
| Mike's easy ability to make everyone smile makes him a big hit. It's amazing to see a room full of people, people of all ages, His skill in reaching a whole audience is a talent, if not pure magic. --Jenny Hamblin, Lafayette Natural History Museum, Lafayette, LA |
