QUOTES DIANE

FROM THE PRESS
“Edgecomb’s voice is exquisite…“ ~ Boston Journal

“Publisher’s Weekly  said it best when they stated: ‘A storyteller in the grand tradition, Edgecomb is a virtuoso of the spoken word.’ She has been researching, studying, collecting and telling Celtic stories for 20 or more years and it shows…mentally and emotionally we were wherever storyteller, Ms. Edgecomb, transported us to be, while Ms. Chamberlain and her Celtic Harp made us feel at home there.”  ~ Ashland Tab

 

FROM FESTIVALS

“Deirdre is nothing less than a masterpiece! The standing ovation you received was well deserved and I see many more of them in your future. You deserve a place among the giants of storytelling. ” Linda Goodman, chair, Three Apples Storytelling Festival

 

FROM COLLEGES

“I’m still getting positive feedback (examples: ‘Best thing I ever heard on campus.’ ‘Let’s make it an annual event’ etc..,) ~ Joan Laxon, Professor of Anthropology and Folklore Pine Manor College

 

THEATRES AND PERFORMANCE SERIES FOR ADULTS

“Thoughtfully composed and beautifully presented, A Celtic Evening was a joy for us all. The combination of both your talents made for an inspirational evening that moved the audience to laughter and to tears, and left us with a feeling that magic was in the air.“ Director of programming, Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge MA

 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

“Thank you so much for a wonderful storytelling performance at Indian Brook Elementary School. The teachers, but most importantly, the children enjoyed your performance tremendously. Many students I know keep mentioning parts of the stories and recite their favorite part. As you can see by the enclosed evaluation material that I give out to teachers you are a definite “must have” in the future. Thank you again, you brought a lot of joy to us.”
Cultural Arts Coordinator, Indian Brook Elementary, Plymouth, MA

“You had an overwhelmingly positive response from the Kindergarten teachers here. Their comments included, “She kept five classes mesmerized!” “She was masterful at knowing when the students needed a motor break” and “She really engaged them with her stories!” One teacher suggested that you give workshops to teachers on how to tell a story! Should you ever need a reference, please don’t hesitate to contact me. We hope to have you back again in the future!” Julie Sullivan, enrichment chair, Steward Elementary PTO, Topsfield, MA

“I would like to thank you very much for the wonderful performances and workshops you presented to Lyme School. The performances were very creative and the selection of stories had just the right balance of important factual message, imaginative storytelling and humor. The programs were adapted very appropriately to the different age levels and the interaction with the students was wonderful and a lot of fun. The teachers and students loved. All the evaluations were overwhelmingly positive from the teachers. Some comments: ‘The stories were perfect for first grade. She had an excellent set of stories and workshop activities for this age.’ ‘Environmental/ecology issues are a focus during our ocean studies. I liked and enjoyed all 3 of her stories the group loved the opportunity to interact.’ (5th grade) ‘The afternoon workshop was wonderful. It gave the class excellent techniques for storytelling and acting.‘(2nd grade), ‘Performance was wonderful!’ (librarian) Thank you again for your delightful performances.”
Lyme School PTO Cultural Arts, Lyme, CT

“Your performance today was outstanding! Teachers, students, and parents are all singing your praises and we thank you so much for sharing your talents with us.”
Derby Academy Parents’ Association, Derby Academy, Hingham MA

“Our storytelling assembly for 5th and 6th graders was one of the best hours we have enjoyed in many years. Even our most reluctant ‘listeners’ were involved. Thank you for an enjoyable assembly and exposing all of us to the pleasure and excitement of listening to stories.”
6th grade teacher, Warwick Elementary School, Warwick, PA

“Thank you very much for coming to Chaplin Elementary School last week. You made a big impression on all of the children as well as their teachers. One teacher who had caught a bit of both performances was amazed at how well you geared each presentation to the grade level. Her second graders couldn’t stop talking about it! One fifth grader told me he liked the bird voices best of all. It isn’t often we make all of the students as well as their teachers happy, but you did it!”
Lead teacher and assemblies coordinator, Chaplin Elementary School, Chaplin, CT

“Thank you so much for enriching our Kindergartners and first graders science curriculum with your stories about Seasons. My son still brings up little tidbits from the stories when we’re talking about something related. Your performance was very polished and captivating. It’s a pleasure having such a professional artist come to our school.”
J.W.Killam Enrichment, J.W.Killam Elementary School, Reading , MA

“I wanted to thank you for both a wonderful performance of “Digging Dinos’ for our fundraiser, and for your shows at our elementary school. At the evening show I enjoyed watching the audience, who really didn’t know what to expect of a storyteller. They became mesmerized as you wove the tale for them. Rarely have I enjoyed a performance so much! The feedback I received from the staff at school regarding the assemblies was extremely positive. They were impressed that you kept the 5th and 6th graders on the edge of their seats. My thanks are twofold. Thank you for making our fundraiser a success and thank you for a great assembly program. I would highly recommend your performance to anyone; we look forward to your return to this area so we can once again enjoy your art!”
Event Coordinator and President of PTO, Township of Warwick, Jamison, P

 

LIBRARIES

“I knew you would be fabulous and I was not disappointed! The audience was spellbound! You fit in so well with our theme this year. And with all your other shows to choose from, we will definitely invite you back! I don’t think you could ask for a better compliment! Thank you so much.” ~ Marty O’Meara, Duxbury Free Library, Duxbury, MA

“Thank you so much for the wonderful morning of storytelling you presented here in Westfield yesterday. Your provided children and parents with a unique experience of truly professional storytelling. Your stories were participatory, age-appropriate and delightful. Your keeping with the statewide theme was a bonus. But, your manner with the children and your obvious delight with the spoken word. Your thorough publicity material, helpful information for grant writing and prompt responses to telephone questions were much appreciated. You’ve been a pleasure to work with; hope you’ll come back soon.”
Youth Services Director, Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield, MA

“Thank you very much for your wonderful stories. I am still hearing positive comments from parents six weeks later!”
Children’s Librarian, Russell Memorial Library, Acushnet, MA

“Thank you so much for your ‘Tales for the Earth’. The audience was especially young that day and I was amazed at how quiet and attentive they were. You had them in the palm of your hand; they were enthralled with your stories!” Children’s Librarian, Norton Public Library “The entire Children’s Department would like to thank you for the fabulous performance to kick off the Summer Reading Program. I have had so many wonderful comments from the children and parents alike on the stories Especially impressive is your ease with involving the children in the performance. You have a marvelous ability to capture and hold the attention of all ages which is so reassuring to those who book programs–we know we can relax and enjoy the show!”
Children’s Librarian, Wilbraham Public Library, Wilbraham, MA

“Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable evening of storytelling with Dig the West at our Fox Branch Library this summer. As always, your stories were engaging, told with great theatrics, and presented just the right look at the topic at hand. I know you had the audience right with you throughout the evening. Your remain the storyteller we most often recommend to other schools and libraries. Please keep us posted as you develop new programs.”
Program Coordinator, Robbins Library, Arlington MA

“Thank you again for a dynamic, educational and fun performance. Everyone had rave reviews!”
Children’s Librarian, Monson Free Library and Reading Room Association, Monson, MA

“Thank you for your fantastic visit to our summer reading program. Your story captivated the children with your non-stop, animated enthusiasm. It was such a successful program especially because you creatively met the needs of a wide age range. Your program was a huge success and we will have you back soon!!”
Programs Coordinator , Vineyard Haven Public Library, Vineyard Haven, MA

“What a perfect Welcome to the Spring your storytelling program was! The children loved each story and you captivated the entire audience with your charm.”
Children’s Librarian, Agawam Public Library, Agawam, MA

MUSEUMS:

“From the Academy’s point of view, the storytelling could not have worked better as a public program. The stories you told, captivated and fascinated our audience. I was impressed that they would not let you leave the stage without an encore performance. Diane your storytelling is fantastic!
Public Programs Coordinator, The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA

“On behalf of the Museum of Science staff and visitors, I am pleased to extend to you the most sincere appreciation for the wonderful performances you brought to us during this past February school vacation week. The spirited lively feeling that you brought to our theatre made each afternoon a special treat for the nearly 1,600 visitors who joined us. Your tireless effort at each performance is proof of your spirit and love of your craft. We found so many visitors thanking the museum for having you perform a sincere and deserving compliment to you! Personally Diane, I found the opportunity to work with you a delightful one, and look forward to it again in the future. Thank-you again for a wonderful experience.”
Special Events and Exhibits Coordinator, Museum of Science, Boston, MA

“Thank you so much for the terrific storytelling presentations you gave for the “Dinosaur Daze” Sunday Family Program. The audience was completely captivated by you and your dynamic personality! I hope we can work together again. It is always such a joy to have you come to Springfield!”
Program Coordinator, The Springfield Museums, Springfield, MA

“In working with elementary science today we are concerned with the integration of science into the total experience of the children, with feelings and emotions of the children as well as the presentation of accurate scientific information, and your presentation does all of that. It also holds the attention of both adults and children. We hope you will be able to work with us again here at New England Science Center.”
Curator of Education, New England Science Center, Worcester, MA

NATURE CENTERS
“Thank you for a wonderful program last Saturday. It couldn’t have been better. You really know how to act out great stories and myths. We all enjoyed your program immensely.”
Sandy Pierson, Interpreter, Myles Standish State Forest, Carver, MA