WENDY WELCH

Telling stories is second nature to Wendy. Cultural understanding is the hallmark of a repertoire gleaned from her native Appalachia and studies in Newfoundland. Ph.D. studies in Folklore infuse her tales with depth and meaning; an energetic approach brings them to life.

Using balloon costumes along with audience participation is a favorite of young listeners. Older audiences enjoy her wide range of ghost stories and thought-provoking oral tradition tales. From festivals to corporate seminars, private parties to libraries, day care centres to college campuses her listeners never fail to learn something new while having fun.

Wendy has written a newspaper column on folklore; founded the American Folklore Society’s Storytelling Section, is a board member of the National Storytelling Network, has published numerous articles on storytelling, and taught college classes on folklore and telling technique. A former branch secretary of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland, she has coordinated ceilidhs and festivals and ran an events consultancy.

Following some years living in Scotland (after marrying Scots ballad singer Jack Beck), Wendy (with Jack) is now resident in South Western Virginia, where she directs folklife activities in Big Stone Gap and teaches Anthropology subjects at UVA Wise.

Wendy and Jack sometimes perform together – when he tells the occasional story and she sings the occasional song.