MaryJo Maichack | Storyteller & Minstrel

But you don't have to take her word for it:
Words from people who have
enjoyed Mary Jo's performances

"Never before have Halloween spooky stories been so delightfully presented. Your dancing skeleton program surely tickled the rib bones of all attended!

Your easy, manner and gentle approach, your rapport with an audience of varied ages, and your ability to accommodate your program to the interests of the group certainly added up to a spectacular evening!

Because of these qualities, it was quickly apparent that you and the audience were in tune with each other, each adding to and building upon the sense of fun — as if everyone was a part of the performance.

Thank you so much for providing a fanciful evening for so many! I hope we will have you come back soon, but now that you have become known, we may have to move to a larger space!"

- Ann V. Holliday, Children's Librarian

"As Executive Director of the Northampton Center for the Arts, I hired Ms. Maichack for First Night, Northampton (four years), Hot Food/Hot Jazz, and Alphabet Soup Children's Series. With every project, the Center for the Arts was awed by Ms. Maichack's performance and sense of professionalism. She is a consummate artist who is at ease with audiences of all sizes and ages.
I look forward to future projects with Mary Jo and I highly recommend her to any and all whose goal it is to enrich the lives of our communities."
- Stephen Calcagnino, Executive Director, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce

"You are a talented and unique individual, and I'm thrilled our children had the opportunity to have you perform for and with them. In these days of MTV, it's wonderful to see that children can still get the enjoyment of storytelling, singing and dressing up in costumes. All the children, from the youngest to the oldest, (as well as staff!) had a wonderful time."
- Sherrie L. Towne, Program Manager, Boys & Girls Club, Chicopee, MA

"It was such a pleasure to meet you, and I want to commend you on a wonderful show. You had the audience spellbound (including those of us in the audience who are storytellers ourselves!). I definitely understand why you have been asked to do thousands of programs."
- Nancy Jordan, Director of Children's Services New Britain Public Library

"It is wonderful that we could bring in an act of your high caliber. Your performance on stage and your wandering as a minstrel really added to the day. Mary Jo, your day long antics were without a doubt the most entertaining out there."
- Jodie Laltou, Executive Director Somersworth International Children's Festival

"Just a quick note to thank you for your wonderful presentation at the Storrs Library. All the comments I received were excellent. You did a great job and everyone loved your performance. Several parents commented on your talent and the way you involved the audience.
You captured the imagination of everyone who attended. They were spellbound for the entire time. It's obvious by your enthusiasm and expertise that you enjoy performing. Having you at the library was an excellent choice....I would definitely call it a success!..."
- Martha Richard, Head of Children's Services Storrs Library, Longmeadow, Mass

"Thank you for the outstanding performances you brought to the young folk on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. I had the opportunity to view your performances on both days, and I cannot imagine anything more appropriate nor entertaining to all the children."
- Bill Pratt, Entertainment Coordinator Simsbury Septemberfest

"Thank you for another wonderful journey into our imaginations through your stories and songs. Your creativity and talent with storytelling, songs, and guitar were fantastic. The children and adults really enjoyed the performance.
Personally, I enjoyed your willingness and flexibility when children had so much to share. Instead of looking at it as an interruption, you included their ideas into the show. Your positive attitude really made all of us, children and adults feel special.
We look forward to your next performance with us."
- Denise Farmosa, Children's Librarian East Brookfield Public Library