Reviews of Denise Miller's Work

Client Comments:

“Denise has an ability to connect with our people in a practical way; her storytelling portrays unique ways of looking at life.  I am very happy to have the opportunity to book her Storytelling workshop for a 3rd year in a row.” -  Facilitator - Employabilities

 “We bring Denise back year after year. The inspiring storytelling, combined with practical ideas is always a winning combination.” Faculty of Health and Community Studies, Grant MacEwan College 

Participant Comments:

"My husband and I enjoyed your keynote - it was absolutely fantastic and I left there with a much different attitude!"

"Make us participate, why don’tcha! A good way for us to reach into our own silliness & make us better at reaching kids."

"Great songs with a lot of fun movement! It was educational as well as fun. You targeted us in such a way as to give us ideas as to how we can present this."

" I felt like a kid having fun and I learned some great ideas. Two thumbs up!"

"You have a welcoming relaxed way of presentation. No one seemed to feel they were “on the spot”, yet we all participated!"

"Entertaining, informative and practical. Very relaxed, yet held my interest for every moment. Participation means I’ll remember!"

In 2007, Denise Miller released a CD of some of her favourite native songs & stories. A review of "Soul Stories, Wise Ways" appears below.

Note: this CD is currently only available from Denise via the Contact Page. Future plans for the site include the availability of online ordering. Please let us know of your interest.

Review of “Soul Stories, Wise Ways"

"Soul Stories, Wise Ways"
A CD of native songs and stories presented by Denise Miller.

Review by Anne Infante
of the Kookaburra Folk Club in Brisbane, Australia
Published in the Kookaburra Folk Club Newsletter in November 2007.

Denise Miller is a superb story teller. She recently toured Australia and totally charmed the Kookaburra Folk Club audience with her wondrous renditions of Native American and Inuit tales, using her Living Drum to illustrate and underline as she drummed out heartbeats, Coyote lolloping along and the rhythms of her ceremonial songs.

"Soul Stories, Wise Ways" is an absolute delight for anyone with an interest in traditional folk tales, myths and legends. Denise opens as she begins all her sessions, with the Cherokee Blessing Song "Windayaho". Then she weaves her magic in the stories of First Man and First Woman, a Cherokee legend which reminds us to forgive conflicts in relationships; Skeleton Woman, an Inuit legend of the renewal of love and trust;  Tashunka Whitco, a true Lakota history which tells of the boyhood vision of their great leader (known to the West as Crazy Horse) and his determination to help his people and The Breath of Love, an emotional and tender folk tale of the acceptance of love – reminiscent of The Taming of the Shrew. Denise closes with a Lakota ceremonial song The Gratitude Song then reprises Windayaho, this time as a live concert recording.

Denise’s skill as a teller of tales makes her performance totally absorbing. Her Native North American and Celtic ancestry gives her an inherited feel for the language and drama of the stories she presents; stories that teach, heal, guide, advise, empower and, of course, amuse and entertain.

"Soul Stories, Wise Ways" is available from Denise Miller. Please inquire at www.SwanSong.ca or www.DeniseMiller.ca

Anne Infante
Kookaburra Folk Club
Brisbane, Australia

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