Linda Schuyler Ford

Storyteller/Spoken Word Artist

A little About Linda Schuyler Ford:

Linda "Schuyler" Ford grew up in New York's Hudson Valley, roaming the very hills that inspired Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Her family's British, Dutch and German heritage, rich in folktales and magic, shaped her childhood and set her on an early path to storytelling. Along the way, she became a library programming leader, a Therapeutic Recreation Director, and a social worker. Those passions for art and service grew into a storytelling career that joins entertainment with education, and enrichment. Schuyler has been described as "an expressive magician who uses heart and words to take listeners on wondrous journeys".

Schuyler loves performing ghost stories, women's stories, nature tales, and personal stories. She produces a monthly storytelling show "Stories at Blue" at a traditional blues & jazz club in Tallahassee, FL, and performs and leads storytelling retreats and workshops throughout the country.

Schuyler's healing story workshops and Story-based retreats are tailored to the needs and interests of long term care professionals, hospice workers, caregivers, and people in bereavement. She has been awarded two grants to present storytelling education to therapeutic recreation staff in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York.

She has served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Storytelling Association, the Connecticut Therapeutic Recreation Association, and the Sleepy Hollow-Tarrytown Historical Society.

She is a member of the National Storytelling Network, Northeast Storytelling, the Tejas Storytelling Association, Northlands Storytelling Network, the Healing Story Alliance, The Florida Storytelling Association, Arts for Health Florida, and Arts for Health of Florida.

She divides her time between Florida and New England.

Linda Schuyler Ford's storytelling is lighthearted, yet and soul-deep." -John Henry Redgate

Linda "Schuyler" Ford possesses all the gifts a listener wants in a storyteller. Her stagecraft is seamless and vibrant; her voice, dynamic, and fluid. She narrates with quiet intensity. But the listener does not simply observe and admire. You become part of the process, a willing participant in the melding of story, storyteller, and listener. Schuyler beckons the characters from the tale and brings them into the room to meet you, reaching out, slipping your hand into theirs. You leave the room with the characters forever in your heart…as you should." -Holly Bebernitz, Author, College Professor

"Living (and Aging) Out Loud was hands-down the best professional development investment I've made in a long time." -Freida Gorman, Activities Professional, Pennsylvania

"Schuyler Ford delivered one of the most rousing keynotes I have ever heard." -Greg Westergren, Social Worker

"Linda-Schuyler teaches with passion, sensitivity and a sparkle. I highly recommend her as a storyteller and as an educator in health care. Every long-term care professional will benefit from her generosity and expertise." -Mark Barwise, Regional Director, Northbridge Companies

Linda's remarkable use of storytelling in her keynote address at our annual gala was inspiring and motivating!" -Drew Warren, Executive Director, Community of Hope, Melbourne, FL

"The other tellers told us good stories story, but Schuyler took us on a journey with her." -A Tellabration! audience member

"Linda-Schuyler" produced a terrific workshop and event [showcase]. I loved it. -Beverley Brakeman, United Auto Workers Union Region 9A Director