Ilene Evans

Artistic Director, Actress, Dancer, movement specialist, choreographer, vocalist and storyteller. Ilene has her M.A. from East Tennessee State University and her B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from Trinity College.

Ilene Evans is an international storyteller, singer, and actress. From the fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland to Phoenix, Arizona, Ilene has been telling her stories through dance, music, and the spoken word for 30 years, first based in the Chicago area and now based in West Virginia.

Ilene has been able to maintain a cultural integrity in her home at the headwaters of the Potomac River. Ilene serves up her material from a rich, multicultural stew that includes fables, fairytales, and songs from all over the world. "She weaves a tapestry of stories, songs, and poems into a rapturous evening concert." - Jeanne Mozier - The Morgan Messenger.

Melissa Brown

Francene Kirk

Curriculum Specialist and Consultant Professor at Fairmont State University Theater Department

Francene Kirk is an associate professor in the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts at Fairmont State University where she teaches communication, puppetry, children’s theatre, and creative drama. Since coming to FSU in 2000, Francene has directed many plays including Androcles and the Lion, A Thousand Cranes, Charlotte’s Web - the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, School House Rock Live!, A Christmas Carol, Seusscial, Oliver! and Wiley and the Hairy Man.

Baba Jamal Koram

Baba Jamal Koram is an African American storyteller of great distinction and respect. He has travelled the world sharing his stories of resilience and the creative excellence of Africans in America. He has earned the title of Griot by his example of leadership and guardianship of African American culture. Baba Jamal's courage, perseverance and struggle are the building blocks for his teaching in character education . He is a source of inspiration and education for all ages. He has received many awards and honors for his ongoing commitment to challenging young people to be their best and attain their highest values and standards. He's fun too.

Here's a nice article on Baba Jamal from the January 2011 issue of the West Virginia Storytelling Guild newsletter.

Heather Lantz

Heather Lantz is the band director at Tucker County High School and Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School. She also teaches general music, guitar, piano, and choir. Heather is a Tucker County native who graduated in 2004. She, then, went to college at West Virginia Wesleyan and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. She has been teaching for three years in the public school system. Heather is currently giving private lessons and acts as a mentor for many students musically..