JOE HAYES

Joe grew up in a small town in southern Arizona where his schoolmates and friends, many of whom were Mexican-American, taught him how to speak Spanish. Joe is one of America's premier storytellers, a nationally recognized teller of tales from the Hispanic, Native American and Anglo cultures. Joe's tales are a combination of the traditional lore of the American Southwest and his own imagination.

Beth Horner is noted for her vivacious stage presence and a warm, energetic style punctuated with music and humor. Her repertoire is distinguished by its wide range - from traditional to delightfully contemporary, from raucous humor to tender courage, from robust ballads to childhood farmyard escapades, and from Missouri folktales to family stories of the Civil War. Her love of all kinds of stories - personal, literary, historical and hysterical - makes her the perfect emissary into the world of the imagination.

Bil has been a regular at the West Virginia Liars Contest since 1990 and, having won five Biggest Liar titles, he tells tales for a living. He tells original tall-tales written by himself and his brother. Bil, who has been a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival and the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, has been telling tales for nearly a decade for anyone who will listen.

DIANE FERLATTE

A native of New Orleans, Diane can readily remember childhood years of sitting on the porch of her grandparents' home, captivated by the stories of family generations past, their spirit, journeys, and heartfelt fantasies coming more alive in each moment. Diane believes that telling and listening to each other's stories not only enables us to learn about each other, but also to understand each other better.

ADAM TELLER

Adam Teller grew up in Canyon De Chelly and became its youngest tour guide at 13. Traditional Stories of Diné have been a way to enlighten Navajo people to respect nature and clanship. Storyteller Adam Teller personally believes in the power of stories to change hearts and inspire us all to bring more beauty and creativity to anywhere we call home.

SID HAUSMAN

Sid Hausman is a songwriter and cowboy balladeer who strikes a chord for times that harken back to when most of this country was rural. Sid blends folk and bluegrass into western music that reflects the essence of the peoples and animals of the west. His songs include Native American lore and the influence of Hispanic culture. Sid plays banjo and 12-string guitar, and has been a resident of New Mexico for over 30 years.

MARY ELLEN GONZALES

Mary Ellen Gonzales is half Hispanic and half Anglo, making her a "culture bridger." She tells Hispanic stories and puts them into cultural and historical context. Mary Ellen challenges audiences of all ages to think about why things happen the way they do and how they feel about them. She brings sparkle, energy and charm to her listening audience. She is sponsored by the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities.