Speaker, Storyteller, Singer
Anne-Louise Sterry
Speaker, Storyteller, Singer
Anne-Louise Sterry is a well-known and loved speaker, singer and storyteller traveling and working nationally and internationally. Born in New Jersey, educated with a BA in Psychology and an Associates Degrees in nursing, a love of music and storytelling has always been part of her life. Over fifteen years ago this love became her profession. Anne-Louise works with and presents to audiences of all ages and all walks of life. Her repertoire includes the notorious ‘Aunt Lena’, everyone’s out of the box Italian Aunt, whose view of life and advice to get through it are both hilarious and full of cutting edge Mediterranean wisdom. Unfailingly positive and empowering, Anne-Louise brings an energy and commitment to her audience and workshops that make those present feel she is working and performing “with them” and not “at them.” A natural warmth and gentleness allow her to generate a positive and productive atmosphere in which all participants can feel empowered, encouraged and free to contribute.
Anne-Louise has been on the Young Audiences roster since 1998 and also on the Neighborhood Arts Program roster for the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) since 1998. She has presented her work at Art conferences in the Western U.S., given keynote addresses across the country, and presented at the International Schools Conference in Nice, France. She hosted a half hour radio show for the “Kazoo” program broadcast by KBPS Portland for four years. She has worked with the Don’t Laugh at Me project of Operation Respect, the non-profit organization founded by Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) to foster respectful school environments. Anne-Louise has recorded and produced five CDs of music and stories for Children with one more on the way. Her CD “Making Ravioli” won the Children’s Music Web Award for Best Spoken Word Recording for Older Children in 2003. She is a member of the National Speakers Association, and a board member for the Clackamas County Arts Alliance.
Joyful people inspire
Joyful people build community
Joyful people are empowered
You can…..make the choice for joy!
Whether you are trying to;
• Create positive, more productive, environments in
the workplace, schools and communities
• Gain the skills and confidence to make or adapt to
change in your life and work
• Renew or kick start your creative and leadership potential
…a keynote address or breakout session given by Anne-Louise brings immediate and enduring learning. People gain the confidence to change. Audiences leave saying, “I know that I can…”
The Benefits of Joyful and Self-Accountable People
In organizations
• Clients and other organizations benefit from interactions with your “joyful” staff. The interface between your organization and the outside runs smoother when happier and joyful staff are their link to you. Your clients feel heard, helped and appreciated.
• Joyful people communicate more effectively.
• Happy and joyful people are genuinely more productive, and their presence in an organization promotes a productive working environment. Happiness is contagious.
• Well balanced and happier people at work promote teamwork more effectively.
• Self accountable individuals make changes faster with less difficulty.
It’s the Bottom Line! …and everyone benefits
With better communication, higher productivity and better decision making comes company success and competitive advantage. Not to mention decreased employee turnover and the stress generated, cost reduction through more efficient day to day work, and a continuing reputation as a great place to work ensuring a supply of motivated and creative workers wanting to work in your organization.
As individuals:
• Joyful people inspire others to the greater good
• Joyful people minimize the destructive effects of stress
• Joyful people are less likely to feel they are ‘victims’.
• Joyful people share strategies that enable themselves and
others to approach life with a positive attitude
• Joyful people notice, accept and appreciate the moments
when things go right.
It’s the Bottom Line! …and everyone benefits
The benefits of accepting joy in your life are many. Choosing joy is certainly part of the journey to living a vibrant, healthier life, where laughter, the reduction of stress and the acceptance of natural pleasures lead to a sense of fulfillment.
Anne-Louise
A unique and extraordinary speaker, singer, composer and storyteller whose joy and humor are contagious and always inspirational. With a background in psychology, education, nursing, and performance art for all ages, Anne-Louise shares her thought provoking and humorous approach to the challenges facing everyone from CEO’s, managers, employees to parents, families and seniors. Infusing her presentations with the timeless tools of storytelling and music enhances the communication of new ideas in a refreshing and practical way. Audiences walk away with a genuine sense of the power that can be found in accepting joy, self accountability, and the lasting changes this can bring no matter what the setting.
“When you awake in the morning, say to yourself, ‘I am creating a joyful day’ Notice what happens, and let me know!”
Anne-Louise Sterry
PROGRAMS
Anne-Louise Sterry is an extraordinary award winning performer whose joy in singing and storytelling is contagious. Always dynamic and full of energy,Anne-Louise brings a sense of forward movement to your audience whether she is performing,speaking or teaching. Joyfull and inspiring are often words people use after experiencing an Anne-Louise event.
Anne-Louise performs nationally and internationally, is on the rosters of Young Audiences and her area Regional Arts Council. She has released 5 recordings of stories and songs, of which "Making Ravioli" won the Children's Music Web Award for Best Spoken Word Recording for Older Children.
Impossible to overlook is Aunt Lena, Anne-Louise’s alter ego. When Aunt Lena comes along with Anne-Louise there’s no telling what can happen. Aunt Lena is the creation of Anne-Louise and in the guise of everyone’s out of the box Italian Aunt, imparts off beat wisdom and stories from the New Jersey homeland with cutting edge Mediterranean wisdom.
Presentation & Keynote Topics
Anne-Louise has a knack of understanding what challenges are facing the organizations to which she speaks. She knows how to shape her message to promote the positive outcomes you need. Anne-Louise’s presentations and keynotes are perfect for:-
• Businesses and Associations
• Health Care Professionals
• Colleges
• K-12 Educators
• Corporate Meetings
• Staff Development Events
• Conferences and Conventions
• Retreats
• Faith Communities
Keynote Presentations
Joy and the Bottom Line
Organizations where people are in touch with their own joy in life are more effective and well run. The bottom line is well served. Anne-Louise’s presentation shows how people can access their own joy and make immediate steps to keep it bubbling up in their life and work.
Ya Gotta make Your Own Gravy!
A recipe for uncovering your organizations hidden potential: your inherent human greatness. The benefits of joy and self accountability extend into every part of life. Using alter ego Aunt Lena (a crazy Italian Aunt) Anne-Louise shares her approach to personal responsibility and making the choice for joy in a unique and often hilarious way. Learn to make the choice for joy, learn the power of being accountable, and make it permanent. Call it “Cutting Edge Mediterranean Wisdom” this is a light hearted way to deal with a very serious subject; harnessing the best in everyone.
Workshops
Anne-Louise presents workshops/breakout sessions in many settings from schools to libraries to corporations and everything in between. Included are some of her offerings. Please don't hesitiate to contact her if you would like a workshop specialized for your group.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
A four day class enabling teachers and professionals to use music and storytelling to create and foster respectful and compassionate environments. This class can also be taken as a shorter break out session. If taken through the Innovative North West Teacher (www.tint-edu.com) masters degree credits are earned through Portland (Oregon)State University.
Not Your Bedtime Story
A New Way to Capture Your Audience
In the corporate and business world our ability to clearly and confidently communicate ideas and information using the spoken word is nowhere more important than when we have to address a gathering large or small. But even seasoned executives quake at the thought of having to stand up and make a short presentation.
Taking a closer look at the way stories are told, Anne-Louise will explore with you the power of stories and how we unconsciously use them in every part of our lives. Once you understood the connection between storytelling and presentation there will be no holding you back. You will find new and more effective ways to communicate ideas that are important to you and your colleagues.
Expect to leave this workshop with a new tool to use in preparing and delivering effective presentations.
Attendees can expect to leave this workshop with a new tool to use in preparing and delivering effective presentations.
Finding Your Hidden Storyteller
In this experiential workshop participants will learn and practice the nuts and bolts of storytelling, explore simple ways to find our own stories, learn some stories they can tell immediately and receive resources to find more stories! Discover how this low-stress and joyful method of learning storytelling builds community, heals the soul and connects us to our creativity. There IS a storyteller in each of us! Also available as a four day class through The Innovative North West Teacher earning Masters Degree credits from Portland State University.
You've Got a Song
Reconnect with the creativity that lives inside you. This workshop will explore the use of music in your work with children. YES! YOU CAN sing. In this hands-on workshop you will be singing, creating, playing, laughing and dancing. You will come away with more confidence in your own natural musical ability and lots of music to enhance your special time with children. Learn and practice new repertoires to share with your students on Monday morning!! Leave with a song in your heart.
Let Your Light Shine!
This workshop explores how we can find our own creativity and bring greater joy into our lives. No matter if we are talking about changing diapers or writing a book -- using our creativity heals and brings us joy. Come nourish yourself!
Performances
Anne-Louise spans the styles of Janis Joplin to Mr. Rogers via Patsy Cline and Tom Lehrer. Her shows include:-
• Anne-Louise in concert; music, storytelling, humor
• Anne-Louise and Sometimes Bob; accompanied by singer,
writer, husband Bob, who adds a tenor voice and British
humor to the original mix.
• Aunt Lena Sez; Alter ego Aunt Lena dispenses “Cutting Edge
Mediterranean Wisdom” pulling laughs from even the most
serious.
• Lewis, Clark and Lena; Her account of the famous expedition
will make you rethink American history.
Songs and Stories for Compassionate Communities
Creating caring and compassionate environments is an increasingly important challenge for all of us. Using carefully chosen songs and stories, her experience with the Don’t Laugh at Me program of Operation Respect, and her own inimitable style, Anne-Louise leads everyone on a journey of discovery into this timely subject. Her performance invites your community to ask questions about how we can achieve an environment where all feel welcomed, safe and respected.
Animal Crackers
Young learners will step into a marvelous menagerie of animal music and stories with Anne-Louise and her unique assistant Sometimes Bob. Introducing the exciting world of nature, this program encourages a love of science and the environment by opening their eyes to the wonders of their own backyards. An experience not to be missed!
Little Tall Tales
Fish that make good cycling companions? Dogs that talk? Preschoolers love nonsensical and whimsical storytelling. Anne-Louise presents famous tall tales and gets budding storytellers thinking about what makes a good story as well as what it means to have a good imagination! This program encourages early reading, storytelling essentials, and creativity in a lively and hilarious setting.
Songs and Stories for the Seasons
Spring, summer, fall or winter, there are songs for every season. Preschoolers will learn to see the beauty and joy in each season with a carefully selected program designed to teach them about a specific time of year. Anne-Louise’s energy and vitality will bring a breath of fresh air to a preschool curriculum staple and infuse any audience with a sense of renewed wonder about the turning of the year. When ordering this program, make sure to specify which season to focus on.
String Stories
String- it isn’t just for pulling teeth anymore! Expanding on the old cat’s-cradle that kids have played for generations, Anne-Louise teaches how cultures worldwide use string to tell their stories. This program is specifically designed to expand on the world history curriculum in your school. Not only are they thought-provoking, the creation of string figures also demands spatial reasoning and strong kinesthetic skills. The classroom visit version of this program allows students to learn the detailed instructions to many string figures.
Gobsmacked!
A hilarious program of songs and stories to keep audiences rolling! Word play is the essence of an intellectual sense of humor and demands critical and abstract thinking skills. In addition, it’s just a ton of fun! This program will foster a sense of wonder about the acrobatics of the English language and lay the foundation for understanding poetry and Shakespeare in future years. Learn the origin and real meaning of ‘gobsmacked’ and other idioms.
It’s Your World After All
Get students’ interest in the environment energized with this fantastic program of folktales and songs about caring for our natural world. It’s not just cool to recycle and plant trees, our world depends on new generations of nature-conscious kids to protect it. Encourage your students’ interest in the sciences with song.
Lewis, Clark and Lena
Learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition through the eyes of Lena, the Italian girl who journeys with the famous explorers. Based on the true story of Francesco (Francis) Vigo, who traveled with George Clark, Anne Louise brings history to life in this wonderful program. Students will be inspired to learn beyond the basic facts of history and investigate stories of the ordinary people who make history great!
Pasta Fazool
A hilarious and heartwarming selection of stories and songs from Anne-Louise’s native country of New Jersey. Centered on Anthony, the little Italian boy, Anne-Louise introduces the joys and hardships of immigrant culture in America. All students, whether first-generation, fifth-generation, or native, will see themselves in these stories. Designed specifically to foster a strong interest in history and a better understanding of our cultural diversity, Anne-Louise creates an unforgettable experience for all.
Taller Tall Tales
Good ol’ storytelling with a serious twist! Tall tales turn our world upside down and back again to get us looking around with an eye for the hilarious…and impossible. This program strongly encourages students to develop good creative and critical thinking skills, storytelling skills and a terrific sense of humor. The classroom visit version of this program is where students get to create and dramatize their own tall tales!
This Land is Your Land: Songs and Stories of American Life
This program introduces students to what makes us uniquely American. Drawing on classic folksongs and folktales, this program encourages a love of history and our diverse and unique culture. Students will be asked to think about the significance of why we tell certain stories and what that says about ourselves as Americans.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Imagine!
Anne-Louise has been supporting Library Summer Reading Programs around the country for many years, and this year ’s theme, Be Creative @Your Library is one she loves; after all creative is her middle name! In all her library performances Anne-Louise always helps audiences of all ages find their own creativity through her unique combination of music and storytelling. It is well known that music and stories help develop literacy skills and language development. It stimulates our minds while we are entertained. Anne-Louise is ready to help your library enjoy a super summer of creativity with her “Imagine!” performance. A collection of songs and stories that stimulate and provoke the mind.
Get the Reading Bug!
Crawl or buzz your way to the library and join Anne-Louise singing and telling stories that once again prove the link between singing, storytelling and childhood literacy. Not only that, it’s a lot of fun to sing and tell stories about the
thousands of bugs that are buzzing, crawling, or flying along with us on the planet. So many different shapes, colors, sizes and sounds to entertain us!
We’ve Got the Beat
Find the beat with the songs and stories of hilarious storyteller/singer Anne-Louise Sterry and her unique assistant Bob, one of the few solo nose flutists in the world.
A combination not to be missed!
Educators Corner
Your audiences will love learning about history, English and the arts with Anne-Louise! Her programs encourage creativity, critical thinking, reading and engaging with new ideas in an exciting and lively atmosphere! Whether in a school-wide performance or individual classroom visits, Anne-Louise inspires her audiences and encourages them to keep learning while having fun!
All of these programs help meet the National Education Standards for Arts, Literacy, and Core Subjects. In addition, Anne-Louise will provide supplemental classroom materials and post-performance workshops for certain programs to make her performance a seamless part of your curriculum.
Music
Anne-Louise’s programs help students meet and, often, exceed the national standards for subjects such as music, English, history and even math. The national music standards and national arts standards for primary grades state that “a music curriculum for young children should include many opportunities to explore sound through singing, moving, listening, and playing instruments, as well as introductory experiences with verbalization and visualization of musical ideas.” Furthermore, “children also need group music time to experience the important social and musical aspects of sharing music and making music together. Ideally this should be delivered by…staff members…or by visiting music specialists…to provide (diverse) musicality and creativity.” Anne-Louise’s training and wide repertoire helps supplement any school’s music education program. Throughout each of her programs, she clearly engages her audience in the creation of and interaction with music that national standards demand. Your students will sing, dance, as well as listen carefully to a lively and creative performer.
The National Association for Music Education argues that “performing, creating, and responding to music are the fundamental music processes in which humans engage. Students, particularly in grades K-4, learn by doing. Singing, playing instruments, moving to music, and creating music enable them to acquire musical skills and knowledge that can be developed in no other way…listening to, analyzing, and evaluating music are important building blocks of musical learning.” Again, Anne-Louise’s program is a valuable asset to your school’s music education program by providing another arena for your students to create, evaluate and enjoy music. They will perform alongside the performer, using their entire bodies to enjoy her program and develop a deeper appreciation for music.
Storytelling
The value of Anne-Louise’s performances often also links to the History and English standards. The National Association for Music Education states that “to participate fully in a diverse, global society, students must understand their own historical and cultural heritage and those of others within their communities and beyond.” English and History standards demand a similar understanding of the world around us. Programs that bring in songs and stories from many cultures provide a unique window into those cultures. It places demands on the students to stretch their concept of their world by presenting differing perspectives on life. Arguably, Anne-Louise’s programs do not take away time from important lessons in history and language arts, they, in fact, supplement those subjects. Anne-Louise tells a mixture of both traditional and new stories, painting a picture of human experience with a broad brush, and giving your students many opportunities to expand their horizons.
Indeed, the act of storytelling itself is one that draws on many of the skills that the National Language Arts standards focus on. The very first standard listed by the National Council of Teachers of English notes that students should “read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world,…and for personal fulfillment”. The standards go on to suggest that students rely on prior knowledge in order to evaluate and interpret new texts. In addition to the texts students read in your school, Anne-Louise can bring a range of stories for your students to listen to, as well as get involved in creating. This clearly broadens their prior knowledge as they continue to engage with new texts in the future, and engages those learners who enjoy acting rather than reading.
In fact, Anne-Louise is a practitioner of creative dramatics which places universal educational demands on students far beyond simply listening. Anne-Louise takes audience participation to a new level by actively encouraging the creation of – not just the repetition of- music and storytelling. Creative dramatics makes use of your students’ multiple intelligences by requiring “spoken language, improvisation, visual skills, geometric thinking, memorization, the ability to work with others, a sense of musicality and rhythm, and knowledge of and use of one's body to project thoughts and feelings.”
Clearly Anne-Louise will not just provide a morning’s or afternoon’s entertainment for your school. She will reinforce a full complement of skills and standards that your educators, administrators, and parents believe make for a well-rounded student. But, of course, a little fun never hurt too! either!
Boring, grown-up info especially for schools
Programs can last from 45 minutes to a week! Anne-Louise is available for:
-45 minute Assemblies/performances
-post performance classrooms workshops
-a 1/2 day or full day of Assemblies or classroom visits
-a multi-day district-wide visit to all of your schools
-teacher workshops/staff development presentations
-Artist-in-residence programs
-evening family performances
Keep in mind that Anne-Louise’s schedule is flexible to allow for your school to gain as much as possible from her visit. Contact her directly if you have unique needs or an unusual scheduling request.