Kathy Hunter loves to entertain. Following a long writing career in Alaska, enlivened by an interest in music and community theater, she has combined all her talents in storytelling. After retiring to Wallowa County in Eastern Oregon, she found an active supporter in the writers' nonprofit organization Fishtrap (www.Fishtrap.org ). Kathy produces Fishtrap Storytime, a weekly show on radio KWVR in Enterprise, and her stories have been aired on public radio from Spokane to Honolulu.
Kathy's tales are original stories or reinterpreted folktales that often feature music. She sings, and employs a variety of musical instruments that include autoharp, dulcimer, penny whistle and ukulele. In Northeastern Oregon a delighted audience listens to this family storyteller on the air, and sees her perform at schools, summer camps, retirement homes, arts festivals, libraries, and Fishtrap events. Kathy has produced three CDs with her characteristic stick-in-your-head songs. The CDs Why the Skunk Stinks (and Other Nature Stories for Children), Rowf! (Songs and Tales from Many Cultures), and Four Greek Tales (Myth-adventures with Kathy Hunter) are available locally, or from the author.
Kathy is a member of the National Storytelling Network, is listed by the Oregon Library Association in their Performer's Showcase and is represented by the Eastern Oregon Regional Arts Council.
"Thanks so much for helping to make our Dr, Seuss Day such a success. You were terrific! I'll never look at the Green Eggs and Ham Book in the same way." —Marcie Sheehy, Librarian, Wallowa Elementary, Wallowa, OR
"I discover and use storytellers from all over the world for my radio program Story-Lovers World! yet I keep coming back to Kathy again and again, not only for the joy and spontaneity in her telling, but also for the cleverness and depth of her stories that illuminate so many of our contemporary concerns in a way that's enjoyable and fun from beginning to end. You can't get much better than that!"
—Jackie Baldwin, Story-Lovers World!
"I was mesmerized."
—Lauren Bienkowski, Northhampton, MA. Children's Crisis Counselor
"It was so fabulous and she was so theatrical. I loved the flexibility/range of her voice, how she could make so many sounds. She was just lovely. She was right up a kid's alley." —Charlotte Adamson, parent, Homer, AK
"You are a wonderful storyteller."
—Rebecca Cohen, Newport Librarian, Newport, OR.
"Your CD is wonderful. I really liked all the different voices you can do, the vocabulary you chose, the incremental endearments, the repeated elements and the stories you selected. The extra voices on one story help to supply variety. I can see why kids would like it. I especially liked the ouzel story because I have a soft spot in my heart for ouzels."
—Ann Chandonnet, Juneau, AK. Poet, Journalist, Mother
"All of us at Wallowa Elementary really enjoyed your African presentation at our Book 25 Club get-together. You had the kids hooked, Kathy, with your story. We appreciate your time and expertise and we look forward to having you come to our school again in the future."
—The Wallowa Elementary Staff, Wallowa OR
"Thanks so much for your time and talent in storytelling at camp this year. We really appreciate your leading a workshop. It was terrific, and a great experience for the kids! I hope you'll join us again next year."
—Jeni Greenshields, Director, Joseph Summer Camp, Joseph, OR
"Thanks for a great performance."
—Minnie Tucker, La Grande Parks & Rec. LaGrande, OR
"Kathy has made Greek myths fun, enjoyable and full of delightful surprises! For contemporary audiences unfamiliar with the original stories, these clever and understandable retold classics will surely make listeners want to reach for the books to read more about those legendary characters of long ago—of course, the books can't come close to Kathy's irreverent and joyful retellings. This is a must-listen for anyone who loves the adventure and excitement of the old myths!"
—Jackie Baldwin,
Host of Story-Lovers World!, KSVY 91.3 FM, Sonoma, CA
"Thank you so much for sharing your storytelling talent with our group. The crowd and noise were far greater than expected but you seemed to have the audience on stage captivated. The storytelling greatly enhanced our success!"
—Anne & Angie, Building Healthy Families, Enterprise, OR
"The happiness you spread is through your children's stories. You're great! The children love listening to you and so do I. You are The Wallowa Valley story lady."
—Iva Lindsay, Lostine Vacation Bible School, Lostine, OR
"After Emma heard Kathy's stories at school she came home and told them to me verbatim. She played the characters and sang the songs, for days. I've never seen her taken by a story like that!"
—Carolyn Lochert-Musician, Mom, Lostine, OR
"My friend loaned me her fancy van to take a bunch of kids to the pool. I turned on the key, the seat began to heat up, the CD player came on and all the kids started singing along. It was my Mom's CD!"
—Mindy Hunter, Fairbanks, AK. Teacher, daughter, Mom
"Storytelling artistry, mesmerizing presentations. She has command of an innovative style along with consummate storytelling skill. .. Incredible spirit, humor, wisdom and grace.. Articulate, nurturing, life-affirming—an exceptionally talented artist and educator."
—Merna Hecht, Storyteller, Arts Educator, Literacy Consultant WA, School Districts
"Dear Storyteller,
Thank you for telling us the storys. I lickde the billegot won it wus gat. (I liked the billy goat one; it was great) "
—Frum Tiffany Wallowa, OR