Michael Parent

About the Artist

Michael Parent, a native Mainer of French-Canadian descent, has performed as a storyteller,singer, and actor,in both English and French, at many performance events, throughout the United States and beyond (Canada, Ireland, Poland, France, Austria, Italy, and New Zealand) since 1977. After living in Virginia for many years, he returned to his home state of Maine in 1998, and now lives in Portland. Michael received the National Storytelling Network''s Circle of Excellence Award in 1999. ""Thank you very much for the terrific in-school elementary program that was part of the outreach program for the ""France Danse"" festival at the Kennedy Center."" Kim Ferlaak, Kennedy Center Education Dept. ""The storyteller, in the fullness of his craft, has struck, and the spell is on, as surely as it was when Homer conjured up a fleet of ships on a wine-dark sea bound for the walls of Troy."" Melvin Maddocks, Time Magazine ""Michael Parent was almost a festival in himself. He played, sang in French and English, and juggled balls, rods and what-nots as he simultaneously told the story of a down-and-out juggler. A magnificent voice, and inexhaustible fund of stories, wit,charm, a gift of mimicry..."" Layna Verin, U.C. Berkeley Daily Californian. ""I liked your story. I couldn''t take my ears off it."" Gabriel, 7 years old. For more information about publications, recordings, performances and workshops, see www.michaelparentstorytelling.com.