Vermont
Profile Type: Artist
NEFA Grant Recipient
Artist
Michael Caduto

Michael uses story, song, dance, instruments and a cast of humorous & dramatic characters to present "a dynamic and powerful performance" (Librarian, Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield, Connecticut). His programs on Earth stewardship & cultural diversity—and his residencies on storytelling, indigenous cultures & the environment—weave together the arts, social studies, science, language, music & dance. He has recorded two storytelling CD's of traditional tales from around the world: THE RAINBOW GARDEN: TALES OF WISDOM (ages 5-10) and THE WISDOM OF NATURE AND OTHER EARTH TALES (ages 11 to adult). Co-author KEEPERS OF THE EARTH®; author of EARTH TALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD; CATCH THE WIND, HARNESS THE SUN, NATIVE AMERICAN GARDENING and THROUGH A NATURALIST’S EYES: EXPLORING THE NATURE OF NEW ENGLAND. Michael's latest book—THE GARDEN OF WISDOM: EARTH TALES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST—was nominated for the Middle East Book Award and has received the Brimstone Award (for applied storytelling) and a Storytelling World Award from the National Storytelling Network. Other awards include: RIF (Reading is fundamental) Multicultural Book Award, Aesop Prize, Teachers Choice Award, NAPPA Gold, Storytelling World Award, Green Earth Honor Book Award & New England Environmental Educator Award. Sample programs: Keepers of the Earth; Flying Turtles & Talking Bears; Kids’ Power: Renewable Energy for Today’s Kids; Earth Tales Around the World; Native American Thanksgivings; Rainbow Garden: Celebrating Cultural Diversity; Native American Games; Moths & Monsters, Bats & Bones. "The best program we've ever had." Teacher, Bernardston, Mass.

Website: 
http://www.p-e-a-c-e.net
Additional Links: 
Keeper of the Night
Every verse of this song is a riddle that describes a nocturnal animal. Audiences listen, sing along to the chorus and guess which animal each verse describes.
Youtube Trailer for KIDS' POWER PROGRAM
This YouTube trailer for Michael J. Caduto's book CATCH THE WIND, HARNESS THE SUN: 22 SUPER-CHARGED SCIENCE PROJECTS FOR KIDS, shows a live school presentation of his KIDS' POWER PROGRAM, a popular & dynamic program on renewable energy for children.
Turtle Races Bear
Here is a brief segment from the story of how Bear challenges Turtle to a race around Turtle's pond. Being a trickster, Turtle has a big surprise in store for Bear during the race—a secret that audiences don't discover until the end of the story.
BBC Interview with Michael Caduto
This interview took place at a performance for children in Sterling, during a summer in which I traveled around the Scottish countryside performing at nature centers, community gatherings and at the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Garden of Wisdom: Middle Eastern Stories for Environmental Stewardship
Samples of Michael's recorded songs and storytelling available here:
CD Baby's store of Michael Caduto's recorded songs & stories

I Have Worked With

  • CLiF (Children's Literacy Foundation)
    November 2020

    State: VT
    Date: November 2020
    Activity: Several school and public library author visits and performances (storytelling & music) arranged through the Children's Literacy Foundation (CLiF)
    Email: meredith@clifonline.org

    Phone: 802-244-0944

    URL for Michael Caduto's author page in the Children's Literacy Foundation (CLiF) author/performer's catalog:

    http://clifonline.org/presenter/michael-j-caduto/
  • Vermont Department of Libraries
    February 2020

    State: VT
    Date: February 2020
    Activity: Two statewide workshops/performances presented to all of Vermont's public librarians through the auspices of the Vermont Department of Libraries. Subject: "Opening the Circle: Presenting Indigenous Stories & Traditions From Around the World with Awareness & Sensitivity."

    Contact: Jason Broughton, State Librarian

    Email: jason.broughton@vermont.gov
    Phone:  802-636-0040

     

    Email: meredith@clifonline.org

    Phone: 802-244-0944

    URL for Michael Caduto's author page in the Children's Literacy Foundation (CLiF) author/performer's catalog:

    http://clifonline.org/presenter/michael-j-caduto/
  • Marion Cross Elementary School
    May 2019

    State: VT
    Date: 5/31-2019 (newly booked for 6/3/21)
    Activity: Performance - school
    Email: lindsay.putnam@hanovernorwichschools.org
    Phone: 802-649-1703

    Activity: Daylong outdoor school programs of arts (storytelling, music) and sciences focused on study of the Connecticut River and Native Peoples of the region.

Pages

  • NEFA Grantee
  • Artist

Contact Information

First Name: 
Michael
Job Title/Position: 
Storyteller, Author, Musician
Fax: 
802-•484-3484
Mailing Address: 
P.O. Box 153
Reading, VT 05062
Physical Address: 
Reading, VT 05062
Last Name: 
Caduto
Phone: 
802-•649-•1815

About

Profile Type: 
Artist
Primary Discipline: 
Theater - Storytelling
Additional Disciplines: 
Dance - Traditional
Music - Children's
Theater - Children's
Year Founded: 
1984
Populations Served: 
Adults
Businesses
Elders
Families
General Public
People with Disabilities
School Groups
Teens
Youth-At-Risk
Legal Status: 
Commercial Business - Sole proprietorship
Institution/Business Type: 
Artist (Individual)
Activities and Services: 
Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
Curriculum Development
Performance / Concert / Reading
Professional Development / Training
Residency - In School
Wedding / Parties / Private Gatherings
Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
Events Per Year: 
50
Seasons Active: 
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Geographic Reach: 
Multi-State Region
National
International

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations: 
National Storytelling Network
League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling
North American Association for Environmental Education
New England Environmetal Education Association
New England Independent Booksellers Assocation
North Shore Arts Council (MA)
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Connecticut Storytelling Center
Connecticut Library Consortium
Statewide Environmental Education Programs (VT)
Awards: 
Brimstone Award: National Storytelling Network
Teacher's Choice Award
NAPPA Gold Award
Aesop Prize (American Folklore Society)
Green Earth Honor Book Award
Storytelling World Award
ASCAP Popular Award
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Skipping Stones Honor Award
New England Environmental Educator Award
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
Association of Children's Booksellers' Choice Award
American Bookseller's "Pick of the List"
I am a NEFA Grant Recipient
I am on the following State Arts Agency Roster(s): 
New Hampshire Education Roster
Vermont Education Roster

Accessibility of Services

Access accommodations for people who use a wheelchair and have limited mobility
Access accommodations for people who are blind, partially sighted, and have low vision
Access accommodations for people who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing
Almost all of the venues in which I perform are accessible for persons who use a wheelchair and have limited mobility. I have performed special programs for people who are blind, partially sighted and have low vision. I use hearing assistance devices that are provided during my school programs to assist children who are hard-of-hearing.

I am a Touring Artist

I am NEST eligible
Technical Requirements: 
Requested, but not required: Quiet space that can be darkened for storytelling by candlelight (a real candle, or electric). Artist provides his own sound system, mural, instruments, props, activity materials & handouts.
I am also on the Arts in Education Roster, NH State Council on the Arts
Fee Range Minimum: 
$250
Fee Range Maximum: 
$600
State of Residence: 
Vermont
Minimum Number of Performers: 
1
Maximum Number of Performers: 
1

I am a Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings: 
Afterschool Program
Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
Community Site / Center
Corporate Business
Healthcare Facility
Private Studio
School / University
Subject Areas: 
Arts Integration - English Language / Literacy
Arts Integration - History and Social Science
Arts Integration - Science / Technology / Engineering
Ages Served: 
Pre-Kindergarten-age
Elementary School-age
Middle School-age
High School-age
College-Age
Adults
Certifications / Training: 
M.S in Environmental Education/Stewardship, University of Michigan
Fee Range Minimum: 
$300
Fee Range Maximum: 
$600