Blake Travis - Storyteller
Meet Blake
Blake Travis is a nationally known storyteller who has been enchanting audiences for over 15 years. The children are totally mesmerized by Travis's voice, mannerisms, and his use of percussion instruments. He regularly brings children up to participate in the telling of the story as they cling to his every word. His storytelling programs emphasize character education themes as they reflect a rich heritage of fables, myths, and legends that serve as conduits to the kinship of all cultures.
Blake Travis - List of Awards and Achievements
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- Description:
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Partners in Education Certificate of Appreciation
For providing curriculum enrichment.
- Given by:
- Rockwood School District
- Date(s):
- 2004-05
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- Description:
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Artist of the Year
- Given by:
- Young Audiences of St. Louis
- Date(s):
- 2004
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- Description:
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Featured Storyteller
- Given by:
- University of Missouri - St. Louis , Continuing Education and Outreach
- Date(s):
- 1998
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- Description:
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The Honor of Kentucky Colonel
The highest honor awarded by the state of Kentucky. Others who have received this honor include President Lyndon B. Johnson, English Prime Minister Winston Churchill, John Glenn, Bing Crosby and Red Skelton.
- Commissioned by:
- Paul E. Patton, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
- Date(s):
- May 15, 1997
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- Description:
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Certificate of Appreciation
- Given by:
- The International Television Association
- Date(s):
- January 1997
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- Description:
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Certificate of Appreciation
For contributions to Missouri's Annual Conference on the Socialization of the Culturally Diverse Child.
- Given by:
- Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Date(s):
- May 1994
Blake Travis - Career Highlights
Blake's work has taken him internationally to:
- Germany
- Africa
- Israel
And nationally to:
- The Gateway Arch, Silver Dollar City and all over St. Louis, Missouri
- Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Kansas
- Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico
- Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee
- California and Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- New York
Blake Travis - List of Stories
These stories all stress the themes of cultural diversity, character education, conflict resolution:
Kindergarten through 3rd Grade
- Eye Balls
- This European story is about a family with a special condition – they have no eye balls – and how they handle problems they encounter and how the children think they should handle one special problem.
- The Curious Possum
- This is a Native American tale which warns against being too curious.
- Party Food
- An American story which helps children understand the importance of accepting others despite their differences using the characters in a forest full of animals –children choose who they will portray – central characters are a spider and a turtle. The spider doesn’t want to invite the turtle to his party because “he’s too slow!”
4th Grade to High School
- Ce Ce, the Turtle and the Lake
- An American story about a little girl who saves a turtle from being over-exposed to the sunlight and how she intervenes in another crisis he faces later when he encounters a tarantula. The story helps children understand the importance of keeping your word and accepting and respecting people just as they are.
- How the Lion Lost his Roar
- An African story inspired by the Anansi character.
- The Tailless Frog
- This Asian story tells of the original creation of all the animals and how the frog, like some of us, gets into trouble because he wants more than he deserves and sometimes receives what is not rightfully his by deceitful means.
- Fire
- A Native American story that tells why the animals are afraid of fire.
- The King Has Goat's Ears
- A European story of a King with a “special” secret about himself. Helps with the concept of accepting ourselves despite our perceived imperfections and learning to accept others who are different than we are without losing that which makes us unique.
- The Border Guard and the Smuggler
- A fun short story that essentially shows why we must pay attention to detail or we won’t be able to see the forest for the trees.
- A Piece of the Sky
- An African story about the perils of greed.
- Trouble Bundle
- An interesting short European story about accepting and appreciating what we have in this life.
- The Beggar and the Purse of Gold
- Another European story which teaches a great lesson about fairness and honesty.
- Sycamore Tree
- An African story that tells the tale of a single woman who wants children desperately and goes to the medicine man who grants her wish for children. But life becomes perilous and not always easy and joyful and wonderful and how she handles her new found difficulties with her children.
Blake Travis - Programs and Workshops
- The World Village Stories
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Blake uses the power of story and drumming to not only entertain but also to teach valuable lessons in wisdom, cooperation, peace, love, diversity, kindness and integrity. His stories from many different cultures help young people understand that they can appreciate and celebrate our wonderful differences without having to sacrifice what makes them unique. They see how we fit into a World Village where each person can be appreciated and respected for who they are. (k-6th)
- A Drum Workshop for World Village Stories
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An opportunity to expand upon the themes developed in the World Village Stories program. Drawing upon the oral traditions of various cultures, Blake teaches the use of drumming as a means of self expression, communication, and to enhance the storytelling experience. Students learn how to:
- use their imaginations
- let go of the tendency to withdraw
- connect with others
- gain a true appreciation of others
- see each other's place in "the Big Picture"
- Book of the Blues
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Through the eyes and ears of Baba 'Itan, the oldest blues player in the world, students will experience the story of the blues, a journey from Africa to America. Features Blake Travis as "Baba 'Itan," Tom Hall as "Red Dog" and Charlie Pfeffer as "John Charles."
Fulfills Missouri Knowledge Standards:
- FA1-5
- CA5-7
- SS6
Fulfills Illinois Learning Standards:
- 25A,Bl
- 26A,B
- 27A,B
- Drum and Groove Workshop
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(4th grade to high school)
This workshop is especially helpful to those students who have no previous training in instrumental music. Travis teaches students:
- the importance of relaxation and breath control and how it effects their ability to remain focused
- understanding percussion instruments
- how to isolate the hands and fingers
- hand position
- how to transcend the location of the body
- how to reconnect with the location, others and self
- how to solo (or the art of improvisation)
Students learn the importance of relying on the self and others to complete a task. Also the importance of listening is highly stressed.
