Announcements

Tell Me What Happened and the Afghan-American Alliance

Sara updates us on how her latest book is being used to help families immigrating to the United States

 

About

Author - Storyteller - Musician
About

After thirty-four years, Sara W. McDaris retired as storyteller for the Huntsville-Madison County, Alabama Public Library System. In that capacity, she produced and hosted Grunches and Grins, shown on Alabama Public Television for nineteen years. She initiated the storytelling group, The Spellbinders, which offered seasonal performances of stories for the public. She was on the initial staff of WLRH Public Radio. She is a contributor to its Writers Corner and has often been selected as narrator for The Huntsville Master Chorale, The Huntsville Community Chorus, and The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Her latest book, Tell Me What Happened (published in August of 2021) is rich with opportunities to discover beauty and magic in diversity.

As a member of The Sanctuary Artists, she has written a series of children’s environmental books. Her book, Hyacinths, contains theme programming, using story, music, poetry and fine art. This guide allows presenters to shape stimulating programs for every age. Since Hyacinths, Sara has written several more stories, including six installments for her Trudie series. Several of her books are available for Amazon Kindle.

Sara's symphony appearances have included telling the fairy tales, on which music has been based, to the symphony audiences just before the concerts. The HSO Board commissioned her libretto, the musical story Amanda Miranda’s Amazing Birthday, to be orchestrated. Sara narrated the orchestra’s performances of the piece. The addition of Dr. Emma Diemer’s musical score to her The Creation of God is a late life fulfillment to a long desired wish. It received the 2012 National Award for the best composition by a woman composer.

While reading is her favorite pastime, Sara earns her ice cream by gardening. Given the opportunity, she transformed a neglected forest into a park, with gardens, bamboo stands, moss beds and ornamental trees.

Sara continues to write and to contribute stories through WLRH - Sundial Writers Corner.

- more -

Storyteller

In the Eye of the Listener...
Storyteller

Sara guides her audience on a journey of imagination with a synergy of fine art, music, poetry, and storytelling. A veteran of the spoken and literary arts, her life’s worth has been filled with enriching the minds of adults and children alike. Educated in elementary education, children’s literature, and storytelling, she is a preferred presenter at museums, schools, and workshops.

Sara has also been sharing her gift of story with people of the South for many years. For over 30 years, she was a storyteller at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. Other areas of work include Grunches and Grins, on Alabama Public Television (APT), public radio, and the Panoply of the Arts festival.

Be it a symphony hall, reception, or cafeteria hall, her performances hold the crowds in rapt attention.

 

- more -