Mike Anderson
Mike Anderson is one of the most versatile folk performers and educators in the Midwest. Under Mike’s leadership, the New Salem Storytelling Festival, and the Clayville Music and Storytelling Festival before that, became events of national renown. Mike is also nationally renown, appearing at the Nat’l Mt. Music Festival, holding a prestigious position on the faculty of the Mt. Dulcimer Workshops at Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC and West Carolina Univ., NC, Dulcimer Workshops, and presenting workshops and concerts across the US.
Mike’s children’s concerts are very popular. He received a National Children’s television award for his show "Mike’s Music Works." Under the auspices of the Illinois State Board of Education, Mike has conducted many teacher and parent workshops for developing literacy through the art of storytelling. His Early Childhood shows are legendary.
Mike plays guitar, banjo, jaw harp, noseflute, bones, and more. He is best known as an outstanding mountain dulcimer player - one of the very best in the state and indeed the entire Midwest.
As an author and elementary school teacher, Mike has honed his skills as a storyteller and is one of the best yarn-spinners and worst pun-tellers anywhere.
The combination of music, storytelling, humor, and educational background has made Anderson one of the most sought after performers and speakers in the Midwest. Mike Anderson is a driving force on the Illinois folk scene and is one of the people we can thank for keeping traditional music and storytelling alive.
--Bio written for the Southtown Coffeehouse, Springfield, IL
