MUSICIANS
Colibri
Colibrí, Spanish for hummingbird, is a duo that presents lively, interactive musical journeys through Latin America. Using an exciting array of traditional folk instruments, Lichi Fuentes and Alisa Peres create a bridge linking children in the U.S. with those in the Spanish-speaking world.
Their extensive repertoire includes selections from many different countries - from a Bolivian festival song about a mother dancing with her baby to a Chilean song about worms, as well as popular Mexican singalongs.
Children leave Colibrí concerts tapping a new rhythm, remembering some words in Spanish, or wondering what life might be like in faraway places.
About Us
Named “Woman of Note” by the San Francisco Women’s Foundation, Chilean-born Lichi Fuentes was the founder and lead vocalist of the group Altazor. Currently musical director of the La Peña Cultural Center community chorus and member of the Cuban band QBA, she also performs her own repertoire, having released a solo album Quien Soy
Who I Am in 2003. In addition, Lichi conducts choirs and music classes in elementary schools. She has been performing with Colibrí since 1993.
Alisa Peres co-founded Colibrí in 1989. She also plays with the Andean ensemble PachaSiku, and has performed with musical groups in Ecuador and Peru. Alisa is a Spanish and music teacher in several elementary and preschools. In addition, she directed the weekly Amiguitos children’s performance series at La Peña Cultural Center for seven years.Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at connectingauthors@aol.com or call 1-866-528-9269.
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Jody Dreher
Jody Dreher is the singer/songwriter talent behind SING YOUR WAY TO SPANISH, purchased by Broward County Schools, (the 5th Largest School District in the United States) for every elementary school Spanish teacher. SING YOUR WAY TO SPANISH WITH JODY is a bilingual Spanish/English language performance and CD that will enable your child (and YOU!!!) to learn Spanish or learn English simply by listening. Jody has been learning and teaching languages for over 20 years. For the past seven years, she has focused entirely on teaching children, combining her love of Spanish, music, and children to create irresistible games and songs. Her CD is a Parents’ Choice Approved Award Winner for 2006.
"Jody's show is great. A wonderful introduction to learning a new language! Jody herself is a dynamic performer and her presentation is lively, colorful and diverse. Jody has a well planned show and the time length was perfect for our group."
-- Henrietta Berns, in charge of children's story time
Borders Books, Plantation, Florida
"Excellent! I would like to see (this show) at the summer library program for ALL branches."
-- Denise Mason
Broward County Libraries, Florida
“AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM aimed at helping youngsters become bilingual.
The performance is high-energy and geared directly to her young
audience. Playing her guitar, Dreher sings about things young minds can
relate to. She use props...and encourages everyone to join in.”
The Miami Herald, March 13, 2005
Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at connectingauthors@aol.com or call 1-866-528-9269.
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Ira Scott Levin
IRA SCOTT LEVIN, a.k.a. "Uncle Eye" appeared as the featured singing storyteller at the end of Jakers on PBS singing RUBY THE RESCUE COW. Ira recently released HYPERACTIVE TALKING COWS with the classic single, POLLO ELASTICO. Uncle Eyes earned a coveted spot on the recommended performers list for public libraries throughout the Bay Area.
"Everyone needs this music.” -Larry Kelp, KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley
"One of Ira’s greatest attributes is his big heart. He not only loves working with children but he is devoted to his community and making it a better place."
-Karen Einbinder, Youth & Family Dept Director San Francisco JCC
"Uncle Eye sings wonderful original and very funny songs for kids and their parents and grandparents. He is a great musician, a great comic in timing, and a lovely person relating magically to kids." - George Oram/Julia Morgan Theater Berkeley
“Ira Levin is a multi-talented performer that children of all ages can
enjoy. His two appearances on my PBS program, Jakers: The Adventures of
Piggley Winks, were a resounding success. His music is catchy, clever
and singable. The kids in our studio audience went wild for his hit
song, “Ruby the Rescue Cow.” I look forward to working with Uncle Eye
again.” Larry Swerdlove Producer/Director
Singer-songwriter, pianist and music teacher, JULIA BORDENARO LEVIN has been performing solo throughout the Bay Area for the past four years. She established a strong career before leaving Iowa and continues to make waves on the West Coast.
She has thrice been awarded "Best Song," and featured for "Best
Performance" by West Coast Songwriters. In addition to Vocolot, she
performs in a harmonious duet with her husband, Ira Scott Levin. Julia
is soulful singer with a strong connection to children--having
extensive experience as a classroom music teacher.
Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at connectingauthors@aol.com or call 1-866-528-9269.
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Kathy Z. Price
Kathy Z. Price is a musican/storyteller and the award-winning poet/ author of The Bourbon Street Musicians. The Bourbon Street Musicians,a poetic and blues-y re-telling of The Bremen Town Musicians,received a New York Times Book Review, a starred review from American Library Association Booklist and is a 2003 Notable Book from the National Council of Teachers of English. The Bourbon Street Musicians is listed on California's Early Literacy Recommended Reading List for Third Grade; Chicago’s Recommended Reading for Third Grade and is included in The Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2003 by Bank Street College. Kathy Z Price has won several awards for her poetry and is the recipient of a 2005 New York Foundation of the Arts Fellowship in Poetry.
Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at connectingauthors@aol.com or call 1-866-528-9269.
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Suni Paz
SUNI PAZ, singer, songwriter, poet, educator, author and presenter, has devoted her life to children and their families. She has thrilled worldwide audiences of all ages on stage, television and radio with her the songs she singsaccompanied on guitar, charango and percussive instruments. Born in Argentina, in 1965 shemoved to the United States with her children. She received a Master’s degree at Rutgers Universityin Hispano American Literature, a Fulbright grant,a Parent’s Choice Award through Smithsonian Folkways and The Magic Penny Award from the Children’s Music Network, among others. She taught High School in New York for thirteen years. Suni is a Smithsonian Folkways recording artist with ten albums released. Her latest isBandera Mía (Flag of Mine), an album that paints a melodious musical mosaic of favorite Argentine folk songs.
She has published more than 300 songs, and has collaborated extensively with award winning poets and writers Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy(Del Sol Books). In 2007, Suni published her memoirs in Spanish Destellos y Sombras and in English, Sparkles and Shadows. She contributed five poems to a book entitled La inefable locura de ser poeta. Other Suni’s stories were published in three Anthologies: Terry Laszlo Gopadze’s, The Spirit of a Woman, Intimate Stories to Empower and Inspire; Kate Farrell’s Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother andMagdalena Gómez with María Luisa Arroyo’s,Bullying: Replies, Rebuttals, Confessions and Catharsis. Suni believes in the art and power of music, poems and lyrics to change, inspire and heal.
"We loved Suni! She was warm with the students and teachers, talented, professional, entertaining and she made our Latino families feel so comfortable and accepted. The evening celebration was just that – a celebration of bilingualism and she was like the frosting on the cake after the classroom meetings with parents. All was upbeat and positive. "
Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at connectingauthors@aol.com or call 1-866-528-9269.
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Chris Rumble
As young, quirky child plagued with a speech impediment, Chris Rumble dreamed of growing up to be a cartoonist or a singer.
Through a series of mind-boggling events that converged during his mid-twenties, Chris was enabled to overcome the stuttering that had for so long held him back. Since then, he has spent his days seeking to encourage young people, to convince them of their immense value, beauty and potential.
Today, as a school-visiting author-illustrator, his childhood dreams of cartooning and singing and the deeper dream of speaking fluently have all materialized to open doors for him to inspire hundreds of thousands of young people across the nation on a scale that he never could have imagined.
Chris’s most popular program is his one-of-a-kind READING PEP RALLY. With guitar in hand, he uses live music, live cartooning, character education, audience participation and loads of laughter to get students FIRED UP about reading and their own potential! Chris performs sing-alongs, the tunes of which your students will recognize. I'm a Believer becomes I'm a Big Reader. Twist and Shout becomes Read and Shout!, etc. They will join right in! Download music samples at chrisrumble.com!
Kids love his highly-illustrated Adventures of Uncle Stinky series (especially designed for reluctant readers!).
Chris has taken his “ALL-IN-ONE” author event to over 500 schools and libraries coast to coast in the last six years. Other programs include Interactive and Fun Writing and Illustrating Workshops, Family Nights, Teacher In-Services and Conferences, Live Web-Cam Author Chats and an extended Author/Illustrator-in-Residence Program. Abundant references are readily available on his web site.
Let’s explore the possibilities! We could have a BLAST…and inspire your students at the same time!
Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at connectingauthors@aol.com or call 1-866-528-9269.
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Elaine Serling
Elaine Serling is an ASCAP AWARD-winning singer, songwriter, Jewish educator and children's author Elaine Serling inspires, charms and connects with audiences young and old through her enthusiastic, engaging live and recorded performances. Elaine shines as an entertainer, combining her unique sparkle and spirited vocals with her sheer love of sharing and celebrating Jewish traditions and values. Honored with the prestigious "Jewish Women of the Arts" award for her achievements in Jewish music and education, Elaine's passion for Judaism is palpable and pleases everyone's musical palates when she performs around the country and abroad. Winner of three "Children's Music Web Awards" (2003-2005), look for Elaine's delightful new CD-Single/Children's Book "Bubbie's Baby" as well as her popular "Join the Circle" CD and "Sing and Celebrate" CD/ Songbook.
"If there were a five-star rating, Elaine Serling would receive a six! Her original songs capture audience's hearts and delight their souls with refreshing melodies, joyous lyrics, and beautiful messages." - Cantor Robert Marinoff
Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at connectingauthors@aol.com or call 1-866-528-9269.
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