I was born of immigrant parents, and heard my first stories from my Slovak mother, and my father's mother from Hungary. And though I tell tales from around the world, I am a traditional teller both in my style of telling, and in my choice of traditional folktales, myths, and legends for my repertory. I am not an actor, nor a writer, but a traditional Storyteller shaped by my Central European cultural heritage.
I have been telling stories professionally for many years, and have been honored as a featured storyteller at the National Storytelling Festival. Over the years, I have narrated stories in many settings -- to as many as 5000 people in American convention halls. I have also spun tales with a few snow-bound Canadian Ojibway over a shared hunter's stew. I have woven stories for the storytelling Irish in their own land -- by the sight and sweet smell of an Irish cottage turf fire. And, most importantly, I have shared favorite stories with my nieces and nephews here at home.
I received my doctorate in the performing arts. My dissertation was on the craft & philosophy of storytelling. I was a university professor, before creating Storyfest Journeys with my wife Mary Jo Kelly Wilhelm.