Program and Workshop Information

General Notes
I am comfortable working with groups of any size. My performances are geared for children from age 2 ½ to age 11. I give storytelling and writing workshops for children of all ages and workshops for teachers and parents. I have been singing for pre-schools and elementary schools in the US and International and Department of Defense schools overseas for many years. I am completely comfortable performing and working in schools where English is spoken but is not mother tongue of the students. There has to be some basic understanding of English however total fluency is not necessary. My concerts are lively and full of participation. I think it is essential to engage children fully by inviting them into the songs and stories using their voices and bodies. Social literacy, love of language, story, music and poetry are infused in my work. Children have a wonderful time.

School Programs

I offer four 45-50 minute performances per day Workshops for teachers and parents can be given, in addition, during or after school. A family concert for the students and their families can be given in the evening on the same day as the school performances.

Elementary Schools
The programs are geared for children in kindergarten through the 5th grade and last 45-50 minutes. The performances are upbeat, encourage audience participation and are full of humor. Children experience creativity, imagination, use of language, music, storytelling and poetry. They have a wonderful time. (**Please note the presentation for 4th and 5th grades is geared strictly for them and must be given separately.)

Pre-Schools
The performance lasts 30-40 minutes for the older children. For the early 3 year olds and younger they last 20-30 minutes. The performances are up beat, encourage audience participation and are full of humor. Children experience creativity, imagination, and use of language, music, storytelling and poetry. Courtney's warmth and respect for the children sets them at ease. They quickly ?ind themselves willing to participate, sing and having a wonderful time.

Family Concerts
The concert lasts 45-60 minutes. It's a highly interactive and fun program of songs and stories and includes the famous "Family Tellathon". Individual families take turns making up stories for the audience or share a story from family life. The concert lasts approximately 45 minutes and is enjoyable for all. It can also be used as a fundraiser for the PTSA/PTA.

Workshops for Students

Storytelling for Pre-school
This is an introduction to storytelling especially for pre-schoolers. Children participate in Courtney's stories, play story games and are invited to tell short stories from their family life. It is an easygoing and wonderful way to encourage young children to tell stories.

Elementary & High School
These workshops can be given to elementary, middle and high school grades. They can be tailored to suit classroom schedules. However they generally last 45 to 60 minutes.

Storytelling
This is a fun and easygoing workshop. Basic storytelling techniques are explored. Participants tell true stories, make up stories and work on technique. They are encouraged to develop their own style, practice storytelling at home and" tell" to their family and friends. Students happily discover their own innate storytelling abilities. Maximum 15 students

Storytelling Performance and Workshop
This is a performance and a workshop that teaches basic storytelling techniques. Courtney performs some of her stories to demonstrate storytelling technique. The importance of being expressive using face, voice and body is stressed and explored. Using exercises given to them by Courtney, volunteers come forward to become the" tellers" and practice the techniques. The importance of being a good, respectful and supportive audience is stressed. By the end of the workshop even the students who were reticent at first are pleading to do it again. Maximum 100 students

Writing
The essential ingredients for writing a good story -who, how, why , what, when,where- will be explored. There will be writing games, team writing and the writing of one's own story. Students are also encouraged to trust their ideas and will learn how to deal with the negative critic inside.

Professional Development - Workshops for Teachers
All workshops last one to one and a half hours.

Oh Be Joyful-Bringing Songs and Stories to Life
When children are filled with joy they are open and receptive to learning. How do we find an effective and comfortable way to create a joyful experience? Even if one is shy or doesn't feel songs and stories are their strongest suit, there are ways to bring them to life. Teachers will be inspired to explore, invent or re-invent their approach so that they and their students are fully engaged and joyful. There will be singing, storytelling and discussion.

Workshops for Teachers or Parents
All workshops last one to one and a half hours.

Storytelling From The Heart
Telling a story is different than reading one. You do not have to be an expert storyteller. You just need to be comfortable when you are telling. In order to tell a story, true or fictional, you must first take it into yourself. When you tell the story, therefore, it comes from you-from your heart. Children feel the authenticity and can have powerful experiences. When you tell a story the listener is a co-creator in the story, making his or her own images. It is a creative and social experience, one that is fundamental to a child's development. We will work on basic storytelling techniques, develop effective ways to tell stories from the heart and to be comfortable doing so.

Helping Children Tell Stories - How to Get Started
Storytelling is a natural part of our lives. Every child has stories about family, friends and experiences. When children are given the opportunity to tell stories they are given the opportunity to develop a way of making sense of the world around and within them. Their use of language blossoms and, over time, even the shyest children gain self confidence. Singing sets children at ease. Many songs are "story-songs" and are perfect materials for children who are learning to tell stories. Using storytelling techniques and" story-songs " we will explore ways to help young children tell stories.

Library Programs

Unless noted otherwise Courtney's programs are for children 3 years and up.

Summer Reading Program

Story Stew - Stories From Around the World
Program Description:
Master storyteller Courtney Campbell shares her new performance piece Story Stew- a story about a beloved queen who is very ill. No one has been able to heal her. Two children come along and offer her story stew. The ingredients? Stories and songs from around the world.
For children 5 -8 years old

Year Round Programs

The Adventures of Loud and Soft and Other Stories and Songs
Loud and Soft are really good friends but sometimes it isn't easy because Loud is too loud or Soft is too soft. Everyone can relate to this heartwarming and funny story about friendship-it's difficulties and priceless rewards. Courtney is a master storyteller and singer/songwriter. Among other delightful songs and stories in this program, she will sing Billy Bradley Bakes Bread Badly- a remarkable song in which every word begins with the letter B! Please join us for this highly interactive, imaginative and delightful program.

The Boy Who Loved Band Aids and Other Stories and Songs
Join Courtney in her delightful and imaginative songs and stories. In The Boy Who loved Band Aids Hank finds out that 27 band aids are not so much fun to take off all at once! Mr. Camel doesn't know how to blow his nose, the Umptidoodle Man lives in a garbage can with his little dog named Whee! Little Charlie and Little Susie are musicians who live in the middle of the moon. Join us for a highly interactive program of songs, stories and creative movement!

Storytelling Workshops
Basic Storytelling for Adults — Workshop is 60 to 90 minutes in length
This is a fun and easygoing workshop in which basic storytelling techniques are explored. Participants tell true stories, make up stories and work on technique. They are encouraged to develop their own style and practice storytelling at home. They will most certainly develop more confidence in their abilities.

Basic Storytelling for Young People — Ages 8 and up
This is a fun and easygoing workshop in which basic storytelling techniques are explored. Participants tell true stories, make up stories and work on technique. They are encouraged to develop their own style and practice storytelling at home. They will most certainly develop more confidence in their abilities

Advanced Storytelling for Adults — This is a great workshop for teachers, librarians and anyone who already has experience telling stories but wants to improve their skill. Storytelling techniques will be explored through storytelling in a story circle and story telling games. If participants have a short story they wish to improve telling, they can bring it with them. The story should be no longer than 5 minutes. The goal of this workshop is to help the storyteller develop his or her individual style and performance skill.

Keynote Speeches

Keynote Title:
The Power of Story and Song – El Poder de los Cuentos y Las Canciones
With storytelling, humor and song Courtney speaks of the power and importance of storytelling and singing in the lives of children. "Story and song contribute more to the healthy development of the whole child than we can ever imagine." Courtney has worked with children in many countries around the world and shares her experiences witnessing the "magic" of storytelling and singing.

Keynote Title:
We Are All Together
When one is singing songs, children with English, little English, no English, learning disabilities and other problems are all brought together. That is why this musical keynote is called "We are All together" ...because singing together unites us.
Music is the universal communicator. As we are all different we must look for different ways to use music to reach each individual. Teachers of "special ed" children all agree music works when nothing else will. Singing together, having fun by using various kinds participation works wonders. Singing together reaches all children bringing smiles, a little twinkle in the eye, eager voices and genuine enthusiasm. It is very special and very, very important.

We are all together, river run
We are all together, under the moon stars and sun
We are all together, everyone

From The Ballad of Willie and Rhoda by Courtney Campbell
Roundstone Records/BMI
 

Artist in Residence Program
Writing & Storytelling 2000-2010

For the advancement of literacy, creativity, self expression, social literacy, self confidence and community.

For students in elementary school & Key Stage One and Two
A special storytelling workshop is offered for pre-school and reception-writing is not offered for this age group

This residency can be for one grade level, a few grade levels or all grade levels depending on the size of your classes and amount of time I spend in your school. The program will be custom designed to fit your school and your specific needs and expectations.

Residency Length
Minimum two days

Teaching Methods
All work will be interactive and enjoyable. It will be presented in a comfortable, supportive and non judgmental style. It will include games, group activities, assignments and discussion.

Professional Development for Teachers
Workshops for Parents
Within this residency workshops for teachers and parents are available

Writing
Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." Writers mine their imagination and bring us the gold. Students will explore ways to tap into their imagination and find that gold. It is not something one can simply call upon at any time . Writing is a process that students will come to understand. In writing it's all about the story. Students will look at story structure, and the essential ingredients for a good story. This is something I call the " the five Ws and the one H; who, why, what, when,where and how. There will be writing games, team writing and the writing of one's own story. Student's will be encouraged to trust their imagination and will learn how to deal with the negative critic inside.

Storytelling
Storytelling is something students should do regularly in the classroom. It contributes to their education in many profound ways including their development of language, self expression, and self confidence, an understanding of themselves and the world they live in. When students tell stories from their lives they gain greater understanding each other. When students make up and tell stories together they learn to create and work as a team. Through storytelling games and group activities students will work on basic storytelling techniques and on improving their skill as storytellers. They will tell stories from their lives, make up and tell stories in teams. Students will develop more confidence in speaking and thinking on their feet and will be encouraged to trust their imagination and ideas. This is an enjoyable and productive workshop.

Storytelling for Pre-school or Reception
These workshops last 30 to 40 minutes.
Stories help children make sense of the world around and within them. Children, even young children, should be encouraged to tell stories regularly. Particularly stories from their lives. They should also begin making up stories so as to develop total comfort with accessing and trusting their imaginations. This is an introduction to storytelling especially for the very young. It is an easygoing, fun and totally respectful of their age.

Workshops For Parents
All workshops for adults last one to one and a half hours

Helping Children Tell Stories - How to Get Started
Storytelling is a natural part of our lives. Every child has stories about personal experiences,family, and friends When children are given the opportunity to tell stories regularly develop a way of making sense of the world around and within them. They gain greater understanding of and compassion for each other. Their use of language blossoms and, over time, they all gain self-confidence. A sense of community and society is established and fostered. Singing sets children at ease. Many songs are "story-songs" and are perfect materials for children who are learning to tell stories. Using storytelling techniques and" story-songs " we will explore ways to help young children tell stories.

Storytelling From The Heart
Telling a story is different than reading one. You do not have to be an expert storyteller. You just need to be comfortable when you are telling. In order to tell a story, true or fictional, you must first take it into yourself. When you tell the story, therefore, it comes from you-from your heart. Children feel the authenticity and can have powerful experiences. When you tell a story the listener is a co-creator in the story, making his or her own images. It is a creative and social experience, one that is fundamental to a child's development. We will work on basic storytelling techniques, develop effective ways to tell stories from the heart and to be comfortable doing so.

Professional Development for Teachers
Please refer to the professional development section