Brenda discovered storytelling when she moved to Burlington, ON and wanted to meet new friends.  The Burlington Storytellers’ Guild met monthly and, according to the newspaper, everyone was invited to bring his or her favorite story. Brenda showed up with a picture book in tow hoping she would have the courage to read it.  As the storytelling began, she slid her book beneath her chair transfixed.  Nobody was reading anything.  They were telling stories by heart and her imagination was sparking!  Over the next year, Brenda took some workshops and continued to meet with the Guild until finally, one evening, she ventured to tell her first story.  The warmth and camaraderie and generous spirit of the Guild gave Brenda the confidence she needed and she continues to hone her craft and seek audiences.

She has appeared on cable television and throughout the community in a variety of settings such as scout and guiding events, schools, libraries, bookstores, churches, festivals, cafés and house concerts.

Some of her listeners include:

*Adults of the Halton Aphasia Centre

*Infants 6-35 months and their caregivers at the Dundas Public Library

*Conference participants on Violence for the Halton Police Association

*The Burlington Tennis Club

*Burlington Beaver Bee 2003

*Evangelical Lutheran Women’s Conference

*Fellowship of the Least Coin Conference

*Performer with the Uppity Women at both the Ottawa and   Toronto Storytelling Festivals

*Sunlight Play Day for the City of Burlington

Brenda’s natural exuberance and delight in her listeners shine through as she skillfully awakens their imaginations by the use of word and gesture.  She offers an “easy style and grace” to the weaving of her tales for the very young as well as the young at heart.  Brenda tells folk, fairy and wonder tales of humour, wisdom, healing, searching for truth and more.  Some tales may be blended with guitar, mbira (thumb piano) or bodhran. 

Mother of three, wife to Tall Dark and Handsome, we are living happily ever after while slaying dragons, listening to wise old women and finding the magic in life.