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Newsroom
Leticia Pizzino masterfully intertwines her animated storytelling with beautiful singing and fun instruments. It began with her family's stories where she was not only entertained, but also learned valuable lessons of life. She especially loved to hear her grandmother tell stories. Leticia decided that one day she was going to enliven other people's lives with her own storytelling, just like her grandmother did hers.
As Leticia grew, she developed a talent for music, including voice, piano, and violin. She graduated from Brigham Young University cum laude with a bachelor's of music in vocal pedagogy (private voice teaching). Leticia became experienced in theater—performing in musicals and operas. Following her childhood dream, she enhanced her storytelling with her musical and performing skills. Leticia now captivates audiences of all ages with her uninhibited, spirited and unique approach to storytelling.
Her vivacious storytelling has enlivened souls and captivated imaginations nationwide at storytelling festivals, fairs, library and education conferences, retirement centers, schools, and libraries.
She’s a regular teller for library summer reading programs in various states, and has been a regular participant at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, as well as many other festivals. In addition, she’s been a presenter at state library conferences in Wyoming and Nevada.
She’s a founding board member of the Utah Storytelling Guild and served as its president in 1995 and 1996. She was appointed the Utah liason for the National Storytelling Network (NSN) in 1997. She received the NSN 1999/2000 Research Grant, for her storytelling work in an adult day care setting for Neighborhood House in Salt Lake City. In addition, Leticia has recorded stories for CD Rom, told on radio, appeared in television and film, and has performed in theater. In 1999 she published her first book, “Fold ‘n’ Tell.”
Leticia has not only told stories to thousands, she has
inspired others to also tell. She teaches storytelling to help others gains
skills in oral literacy. She believes stories are a powerful tool for effective
communication. Pizzino has presented many classes and workshops to a wide
variety of audiences. Her residencies are an exploration and experience in
storytelling and can include fairy and folktales, original and personal
stories.
Press Release: General
For Immediate
Release
Contact: Jeff
Phone: 1-480-606-8292, 1-800-669-7533
Storytelling is a Great Teaching Tool for All Ages, Says Teller
One day professional storyteller/musician Leticia Pizzino may be telling tales to a preschool group at a library. The next day could be a workshop for high school students. Next on the schedule might be a group of senior citizens in an Alzcheimer’s unit.
And oh, there’s also the possibility of telling tales at a corporate party.
Pizzino has gained a reputation for being amazingly adaptable to her audience.
"Stories are for sharing with all ages and all occasions,” said Pizzino.
The spark for storytelling was ignited for Pizzino at a tender young age through her family's stories.
“I especially loved to hear my grandmother tell stories. It was not only entertaining, but also taught me valuable lessons of life. I decided one day to enliven other people's lives with my own storytelling, just like her grandmother did mine,” said Pizzino.
As she grew, she developed a talent for music. In addition to singing, she plays the chorded zither, fiddle, piano and recorder. Pizzino graduated from Brigham Young University in 1987 cum laude with a bachelor of music. She also gained experience in theater—performing in musicals and operas. Following her childhood dream, and using the talents developed along the way, she enhances her storytelling with her musical and performing skills. Being a trained singer and accomplished musician, Pizzino is known for captivating audiences by enhancing her storytelling with songs and music. She regularly performs and teaches throughout the west and midwest, including at libraries, storytelling festivals, fairs, library and education conferences, and schools. Even though she has a varied repertoire, she’s gained recognition for her pioneer stories and other tales from the west’s rich heritage. In addition, Leticia has recorded stories for CD Rom, told on radio, appeared in television and film, and has performed in theater.
But stories are not just for pure entertainment. Pizzino is on various artist rosters, including the Utah Art Council’s Arts in Education and Art Access/VSA Utah. As such, she has conducted several artist-in-residencies at schools throughout the west, as well as other community projects.
“Aside from being an art form, some appreciate storytelling for its pure entertainment value, while others view it as a literacy tool or use it as an eductional tool. It also promotes oral literacy and is a powerful tool for effective communication," said Pizzino. "Of course, the beauty of storytelling is its potential to be all these things... and more."
Her first book, “Fold ‘n’ Tell” was recently published. It features step-by-step instructions on how to tell stories while folding handkerchiefs and towels into various animated objects.
Pizzino currently resides in the Phoenix, Arizona area. She is a founding board member of the Utah Storytelling Guild and served as the guild’s president in 1995 and 1996. She's also previously served as the Utah liaison for the National Storytelling Network.
For a personal interview, e-mail leticia@imtellinginc.com or call
1-800-669-7533.
Publicity Photos
| LETICIA.JPG |
Storyteller/Musician Leticia Pizzino says storytelling is a valuable educational tool. She has entertained audiences nationwide with her unihibited zest for telling tales. | |
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LETICIA WITH MOUSE.JPG | Storyteller/Musician Leticia Pizzino, shown here holding her “handkerchief mouse,” has entertained audiences nationwide with her unihibited zest for telling tales. |