Kate has been telling stories since 1995. Here are
a number of news articles about Kate and her storytelling activities.
In addition, here are some comments about Kate's storytelling:
"
A wonderful way to get info across, I certainly go for this kind of lecture. Kate is a "gem" - hope you have her next year."
"Brilliant storyteller and brilliant person."
"Great blend of nonfiction and creativity. I would like to see more presentations of this type."
"Excellent, I loved the audience participation-singing."
"Excellent. Uplifting. Captivating."
"
Comments from partcipants after hearing Kate's program Oscar Hammerstein: Lyricist, Writer and Mentor, Senior Lecture Series,
Adirondack Community, Queensbury, NY
"What a wonderful job you have done with your CD
Lighting the Way Home: Stories of Lighthouses and Their Keepers. There is a great mix of material on the CD. I really like the first person account from the lighthouse's point of view. An unexpected treat. I was also delighted that you were able to include a ghost story in the line up. Ending that tale with the warning in Portuguese was eerie and very effective.
In short, you have done a great job. The tales are well chosen, well crafted and well told. Hats off! A job well done!"
Elizabeth Ellis, renowned international storyteller
"
The information on this CD
Lighting the Way Home: Stories of Lighthouses and Their Keepers will appeal to science/math-minded youngsters, especially boys (even those not particularly interested in traditional stories/folklore). Kate Dudding begins with the story behind Augustin Fres-nel's development of lenses that are used in today's lighthouses. Subsequent segments continue the intrigue of how lighthouses are built, along with their mysteries and histories. The stories of specific lighthouse keepers and of some who lost their lives in lighthouses are revealed through these narrations. The final story discloses the history of how the Statue of Liberty was built. In all, this CD contains an inspiring body of history, science, and math information associated with lighthouses."
Dr. Flora Joy, Professor Emeritus of Storytelling at Eastern Tennessee State University, founder of ETSU's Storytelling Master's Degree Program in Storytelling, founder of the National Storytelling Youth Olympics
"
Thank you for participating in
the Great Hudson River Revival, the Clearwater Festival 2006! And what an amazing festival it was! We could not have a festival without the wonderful performances that bring the audience back each year. Your participation is a gift to us and the Clearwater Community. Thank you again.
"
Ron Aja, Festival Director
"
Kate Dudding has a real gift for taking historical stories and bringing them to life so that they're meaningful to us today.
"
Gert Johnson,
leader of the
Interfaith Story Circle of the Tri-City Area
"
Kate Dudding told an amazing story about
'A Witness to the Truth.'
Everyone's ears were glued to each word flowing from her mouth. What started out as just a story about a man trying to tell his story to whoever would listen, ended up bringing a few gasps from the audience.
"
Jeannette Jordan, The Saratogian, Saratoga Springs, NY
"You’re a helluva storyteller!
"
Jack Turner, 347th Infantry, Company H, 87th Division, US Army, WWII
Reviews to Kate's workshop “Giving Voice to People From the Past” at the 2017 Connecticut Storytelling Festival and Conference:
Arnie Pritchard, the host and CT Storytelling Center President, stated:
“It was a real pleasure to host Kate Dudding's workshop at this year's Connecticut Storytelling Festival. She was very thoroughly prepared with the points she wanted to make and with short, memorable stories that illustrated them. She was congenial and upbeat, and made clear why she thinks historical stories are valuable. The workshop elicited many useful and creative ideas from the participants. A very good experience overall. “
Peg O’Sullivan, retired CT Storytelling Festival Director, said:
“This was one of the best-organized workshop I have ever attended! Kate presented her points and then involved her audience in practicing what she preached. It became a real discussion between the teacher and learners. A superb job!”
Other attendees said:
“Kate’s story examples were extremely helpful.”
“Came away with MANY excellent resources!”
"
I would like to thank you for a wonderful performance celebrating apples and New York history.
The mix of music and storytelling truly brought historical information to life.
We had an extremely positive audience response and I especially appreciated the connection
you formed with our youngest participants.
Thank you for being so flexible to ensure that the day was a success.
We look forward to working with you in the near future.
"
Stacy Gilinson, Supervisor of Family Programs, New-York Historical Society, New York, NY
"
Kate Dudding has presented several storytelling programs for our organization. Her creativity, enthusiasm and ability to bring the listener into her stories have made her a favorite of our members. Her programs are the best attended of our lunch and learn offerings, filling the classroom and requiring extra seats to be brought in. If you choose to invite Kate to present a storytelling program to your group, I guarantee you an enjoyable and educational experience.
"
Jo-Ellen Unger, Executive Director, Academy for Lifelong Learning, Saratoga Springs, NY
"Your stories appeal to a wide audience and you have a friendly, approachable style. Thank you for coming!
"
Melinda Georgeson, Director of Education, Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA
“Your storytelling skills completely captivated my high school students.
Your story selections, including
Shaun Kiley and the White Stag,
carefully mirrored my 9th grade curriculum which
focuses on the beginning of Western Civilization. Yourr entertaining
and humorous program reinforced the importance of the oral tradition in literature.”
Ellen Loughney, English teacher, Doane Stuart Upper School
“Thanks for the astronomical kick-off of our astronomy unit!
My 6th graders were spellbound by your stories about the
Moon Goddess and
The Celestial Bear.
They are using the resources you provided
as they research other myths and stories of the constellations.
Your extensive research as well as your experience and
obvious love of storytelling was clearly evidenced.
I also appreciate the discussion we had several weeks
before your presentation and the resources you gave me at that time
which resulted in your stories meshing so well with my curriculum.
Working with you is a pleasure. I look forward to the next school year when we can
create new lessons for my students to introduce them to the truly
interdisciplinary nature of science.”
Cynthia Wood Van Wyk, Science teacher, Draper Middle School
“Sincere thanks for a great hour of stories.
Your collection of immigration stories was wonderful
and fit in perfectly with the goals of our integrated project.
I have heard very positive feedback from the students
who were obviously touched by the content of your stories
and the gentle and genuine manner in which they were delivered.”
Seamus Hodgkinson, Middle School Science and Math Coordinator, Doane Stuart
“As an art teacher, I’m always excited when a lesson can be put together
which reaches out into multiple subjects areas and offers students a
truly inter-disciplinary approach to learning. When you offered to
come to our school with a story about the construction of the
Statue of Liberty, told through the eyes of a young boy, I realized that we
could set your story into our 4th grade Social Studies curriculum,
which focuses on New York State. What I didn’t realize was that
we would also be able to extend the lesson to include architecture,
math, and language arts. Your story inspired the children to use
their math skills and drawing abilities to create a two dimensional
construction of Miss Liberty. They then went on to write poetry.
We heard not only a wonderful story, but were given a springboard
for making connections to multiple disciplines.”
Peg Foley, art teacher, Brown School
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