About Jo Ho, Storyteller

Jo Ho is an accomplished storyteller, actress, and drama instructor. The year 2011-12 marks 23 years of storytelling for Ho. In 1989, she created the storytelling company to delight all ages with collections of folktales, fairytales, holiday stories, and curriculum enhancement stories. She spins tales year round at preschools, elementary and middle schools, libraries, museums, and festivals, including the Annual Historic Storytelling Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, The Bankoh Talk Story Festival in Honolulu, Louisiana’s Earth Day and Zippity Zoo Day, Kansas City’s Annual Storytelling Celebration, the Kansas Storytelling Festival in Downs, KS, the Nebraska Storytelling Festival in Omaha, the Edina Elementary Schools in Minnesota, and performances across North and South Dakota.

Awarded a grant from the Louisiana Arts Commission to interview naturalist Annie Miller, Ho developed and continues to perform the culturally rich storytelling program entitled “Cajun Tales From Bayou Black” and many more artistically designed programs. Ho was chosen as the Johnson County Libraries Performing Artist of the summer for 2005 and 2009 and was honored by KC Parent Magazine in July 09 as a top entertainer for children in the Greater Kansas City area. In September of 2010, Ho was honored as an Alumni Fellow from Dickinson University, in Dickinson, ND for outstanding accomplishments in the arts.

Ho has developed over 100 thematic programs for preschools, elementary schools, seniors, special needs groups, and educational workshops for students and teachers. She attributes her unique theatrical style of storytelling and lively workshops to her background in children’s theatre and musical theatre.

Ho is also a sought after drama instructor for the Kansas City area teaching an excellent and diverse curriculum for 3-12 year olds. She has personally authored more than 25 student scripts, both original works and adaptations of classic literature. Ho designs and constructs the student sets and costumes.
She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Theatre/Speech from Dickinson State University, Dickinson, North Dakota. Although a native of North Dakota, Jo fondly calls “Kansas” her second “Home Sweet Home!”

From the Dickinson State University Alumni Foundation

Congratulations Jo!  You have been selected as the 2010 Alumni Fellow for the Department of Fine and Performing Arts-Music at Dickinson State University.  You are being honored because of your demonstrated excellence in your field.  DSU realizes that its most valuable assets are in successful alumni that have proven themselves as leaders.  Fellows are chosen to return as distinguished guests to their alma mater to share their experience and expertise with the campus community.

Being an Alumni Fellow is not only an esteemed award, but a chance to share your life experiences with students, faculty and community members.  Fellows are given the opportunity to be mentors when they return to the classroom to help students who are currently attending.  We look forward to having you back on campus to celebrate your accomplishments and share your knowledge with the future alumni leaders of Dickinson State.