Karen Wilson-Ama'Echefu

African American Urban middle aged female; college professor; animals (birds, spiders, chipmunks, Peggy Lee-type dog, "He's a tramp...", the frog who wanted to be a singer); scratchy, ancient sounds; disembodied, angel voices; the regal duchess, the ailing queen

I learned to love voices because my mother loved them - it was from her I learned to squeak and honk and moan. As a storyteller, I have told stories from around the world. People laugh, they listen, and they learn. I have narrated children's concerts, including Peter and the Wolf with the Orchestra at the University of California, Riverside. I am a singer, trained at the High School of Music and Art in New York City; studied acting with the actors at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, graduating with a degree in vocal music; I have a Masters in Voice from Teachers College, Columbia University. TBC I sing blues from the 20's through the 50's. I enjoy scatting - vocal jazz improvisation. I spend time becoming part of communities as I perform research in world cultures, and I perform the dances, songs, and stories of Africans all over the world.