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Updated 6-7
Mike's
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Updated 8-11
Prairie Grapevine Folklore Society
The Ever Growing Biography Of Mike Anderson...
Anderson’s personal style is involving and inviting, his personal tales are well-crafted… Anderson is a strong musician with a pleasant voice.
--The Bulletin Storytelling Review, Vol. 1, from the Center for Children’s Books
The combination of music, storytelling and humor has made Mike Anderson one of the most sought-after performers from the Atlantic coast to Canada to the Gulf and all points in between. His latest recordings writing entitled The Great Sled Race and Anna’s Old Boot both won Parents’ Choice awards. Anna’s Old Boot also won a Children’s Music Web award for best children’s song 2003.
Under the auspices of the Illinois State Board of Education, Mike has conducted many teacher workshops for developing literacy through the art of storytelling. His Early Childhood shows are legendary. As an author and an elementary school teacher, Mike earned accolades from his current principal who said, "Mr. Anderson works well in structure and he excels in unstructured situations where he can utilize his creativity and problem-solving skills. 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 musical storytelling trade, his power to guide teachers to help 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.
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."
--Storytelling for Literacy Workshop bio written by Paula Schumacher, Director of Development, Oak Hill Day School, Gladstone, MO, as part of the Maple Woods Community College, Kansas City, MO, Storytelling Celebration 2001
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
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, having so much fun. His skill in reaching a whole audience is a talent, if not pure magic.
--Jenny Hamblin, Lafayette Natural History Museum, Lafayette, LA
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
Written in response to a class at the Boone Dulcimer Workshops, ASU, Boone, NC :
I really had a good time and attended many really good workshops. One that stands out, especially from the standpoint of practicality, was Mike Anderson's "Kid's Songs" session. This was chock full of valuable tips for performing for children’s concerts (and surviving the experience), not merely a selection of tab for children’s songs. It's the type of thing I've been looking for years. I don't do a lot of school concerts, but it does come up every so often. As a result of this workshop, I think my next one will be easier to do and more fun for the kids. Be sure to say something nice to Mike. --Steven K. Smith
Steve, I'm passing your words along to Mike Anderson via copy of this email. Mike, as you know, I'm already an admirer of your many talents and good-sense teaching. --Lois Hornbostel, Director of the ASU & WCU Dulcimer Workshops
Mike’s now on the Illinois ArtsTour Roster! Click here to see how this can help you bring Mike to your school, library, festival, or museum!
TELEVISION:
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Illinois Stories – Mike and the Dulci-Kids
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Host and writer for Mike’s Music Works - winner of top national honors in children’s programming - National Federation of Local Cable Broadcasters
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Host and writer of Christmas at Clayville with Mike Anderson
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Mr. Lincoln in Illinois
- a PBS special - musical background
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Fund raising host for PBS
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Illinois Stories – Mike’s You-Can-Play workshop --
Mike Anderson and DulcimerGuy.com wishes to congratulate producer and host Mark McDonald on his Emmy win for Illinois Stories
PUBLICATIONS:
Picture Books online at www.kidszip.com:
Samuel and the Butterflies Making Grandpa Smile
Other Publications:
The Dulcimer Guy’s
Songbook Mike Anderson’s Kids’
Song Book The Phantom Teacher 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:
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Children's Music: |
Storytelling: |
Mountain Dulcimer Instrumentals: |
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In Came That Rooster |
Riding Trees, Denny and I, Volume 1 |
Mirrors |
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The Cat Came Back |
The Great Sled Race,
Denny and I, Volume 2 |
Ice Out |
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Morning Town Ride |
Samuel and the Butterflies |
Solo; Not Alone |
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The Dogs' Tale |
A Baker's Dozen |
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The Big Hairy Spider |
First Noel |
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Anna's Old Boot |
O Holy Night |
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Christmas Duets |
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Great Mountain
Dulcimer Players |
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Dulcimer Celebrations |
Professional Memberships:
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!
DOCUMENTARIES
Audience on Tour, DreamWorks