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Introducing Kevin Cordi
Kevin shares stories with a highly energetic, animated and interactive style and is considered by many storytelling professionals as one of the most influential and dynamic storytellers and teachers today. With each story he tells, the audience connects with Kevin—his passion shines through. His work is a must see for adults and kids alike. Kevin listens everywhere he goes. He keeps an ear to the ground so that he can hear the stories of America and beyond — he tells the stories he hears. He shares the stories of people such as Mooney Warther, considered the greatest wood carver in the country and the legendary Chocolate Bar Bomber and his air drops during the Berlin Air Lift. He listens and he tells the stories he hears. He uses his experience and critical listening skills as the landscape for teaching and developing stories. He believes good storytelling begins with effective listening. He has worked as an actor, teacher, door-to-door salesman (at age 14), disc jockey and gas station attendant. He believes this only enriches him as a storyteller and story teacher. On Stage
Kevin's character-voice and dynamic performances have been captivating listeners, young and old as he often seeks stories that reflect teaching and healing principles. His tales are highly inviting stories, whether he tells stories from his Appalachian family or shares his experience as a teacher of migrant students or his work collaborating with a Navajo Code Talker. Kevin's work is versatile. As quick as he conveys a personal tale, he can dive into the world of fantasy where polar bears dance and pigs run for President. Regardless of the age or size of the audience, his tales invite you to listen. He can enchant adults with tales that revisit Mythology's Pandora or invite children to search for his hidden friend Beppo who dances within his stories. Kevin's performances are spell binding and always changing. He proudly boasts no show is the same. He is continually tailoring his shows to suit the audience's needs.
Recent Festivals
In the ClassroomAs a new teacher, Kevin discovered that stories could grab and maintain a student's attention in the classroom. From then on, he has not only been studying story, but using it in the classroom as an effective means of teaching. For eleven years, Kevin was most at home in the classroom where he was named, "the first full time high school storytelling teacher in the country." Each day he planned five to six separate storytelling lessons for his students working with students of ranges and abilities from special needs, to "at-risk" to honors. Clearly, he has created and implemented story curriculum for all needs.
In 2001, Kevin was designated as a Fulbright Scholar. He was able to tell stories and conduct workshops Internationally in both England and Japan developing cross-cultural curriculum, especially story based work. While in Japan, he was honored when he was selected to address the subject of cross-cultural learning for The Vice Minister of Education of Japan ad his party which included the minister, delegates, teachers, and members of the Diet, (equal to the US Senate) mayors, and many more. Kevin cares deeply about the connection between story and teaching starting the Y.E.S. (then Youth Storytelling) Special Interest Group for the National Storytelling Network. He is also the Co-founder of the Youth Tellabration! Movement sweeping the nation. His work is currently found at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' website where he served as educational story consultant for their ARTSEDGE program. He has served as the Executive Director for the National Youth Storytelling Showcase and is the founder of the Voices across America Youth Storytelling Project. As a teacher that uses stories to motivate, guide, and persuade adults and youth to find their voice with story, Kevin has authored an award-winning book called Raising Voices: Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes, co-authored with Judy Sima. The book, which has earned both the Storytelling World Award and the Anne Izard Storytellers Choice Award, chronicles his successful storytelling troupe of 11 years— -Voices of Illusion providing practical and proven advice to help children learn through story. Kevin's story work is readily available to schools, homes, and libraries all over the country and world. His DVDs and CDs have merited rave reviews and awards which include: The Film Advisory Board of Excellence and The Storytelling World Award. His work in education has earned him the distinguished National Service Award from the National Storytelling Network. He has presented and worked for:
In the Community
As a peace advocate, Kevin uses stories to help teach the principles of non-violence. He combines his work as a mediator to help children and adults alike to see the value of sharing their stories creating programs entitled, "Non-violent Means Told by Teens" and "Peace Talk: The Other Side of the Story." As more and more people understand that non-violence is a choice, Kevin believes there would be less violence in the world. In his program, "Stories for a Better World," he helps people envision a place for peaceful living. Kevin believes in the combination of written and oral stories. He currently serves as the Co-Director of the Columbus Writing Project working with teachers in develop their own writing and curriculum writing plans to help students flourish as creative and competent writers. He is a published author who has written for such publications as: English Journal, The National Writing Voice, and Storytelling Magazine. The Kevin Cordi Crusade
Kevin would like to help you discover more about the power of story. He looks forward to working with you and soon. To find out more about his performances, programs, and workshops, please explore www.kevincordi.com. Back to Top |
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For over twenty years, Kevin has told stories in over forty states, England, and Japan.
His story work has been commissioned by the National Youth Storytelling Hall of Fame, Newsweek, and The
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As a story teacher he is considered one of the "nation's primary
advocates for youth storytelling!"
At an early age, Kevin was first introduced to the art of storytelling as he listened to his mother and father
recount stories of their childhood in West Virginia. These Appalachian tales became the foundation for
Kevin's love of story. So inspired by storytelling, all throughout his childhood, Kevin often performed
his latest magic show or his newest stories for his parents and five brothers and sisters. Stories are
Kevin's passion.
Beyond the classroom, Kevin has also taught Storytelling at the college level at both California State
University (nine years) and most recently at The Ohio State University. He is a current, certified
teacher who knows how to appeal to other educators and work skillfully with children. Kevin has continued
his own education as well. His master's degree focused on using story as a primary teaching tool. Currently,
he is a Ph.D. student at The Ohio State University both teaching and studying how narrative can be used to
teach many disciplines through story drama.
Kevin believes, "communities are only as strong as the stories they tell." He also believes that a sense of
place can be developed when someone writes his or her own story. To further this idea, Kevin has worked in
elder hostels helping individuals reveal their stories as well as with World War II Veterans launching a
nation-wide campaign entitled "Telling America's Story: Untold Stories of Heroes and Heroines" for
"Celebrate Freedom" in Pigeon Force, Tennessee.
Indeed, Kevin Cordi is on a crusade to help others value a good story. On stage,
in schools, and in the communities of the world, Kevin brings a sense of place to story. He knows
story is the key to unlock personal history and one's own story. As one of his students, Deonna Young
reminds us, |
Home | Youth Storytelling | Meet Kevin | What's New | Story Box Project | Programs | Workshops | Publicity | Store | Contact | Book Kevin Kevin Cordi .: 559-213-0161 |