Danya Miller studied drama and her background is in theatre management and production, both in the regions and London’s West End from 1986 – 2002. In 2001 she produced a major musical which toured prior to a West End opening. After the birth of her daughter Danya founded a kindergarten in Warwickshire and ran a parent and toddler group up there for 2 years. When she moved to Hertfordshire last year she set up an adult storytelling circle which meets once a month, to share and listen to stories.

She has been telling stories to adults and children alike for many years and honed her personal style, when in 2002 she attended the internationally renowned Jacques Lecoq theatre school in Paris, as a student of mime, improvisation and physical theatre. She has had the pleasure of studying storytelling at Emerson College and works around the country as a storyteller. She is currently producing and performing in a family storytelling show “It was a Dark and Stormy Night” based on a book by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, with a fellow storyteller, Louise Coigley. This will be performed at the Edinburgh Festival in August 09.

Danya regularly tells stories on radio for both children and adults.

I work with children and the teachers in their different stages of development to help free the storyteller within them, and I tailor my work to be age appropriate. When I select stories for a particular school, I consider where and to whom they will be told, the season and the group. I work across the curriculum and undertake projects that are either set by the school or devised as a partnership between the school and me. Storytelling can be used in a myriad of situations and underpins literacy, numeracy, memory skills, reasoned and disciplined thinking. I use games; song; poetry; riddles; tongue twisters; movement and drama as part of my storytelling sack!

I believe that when we tell stories we can and should create a special sacred space; a time for stillness, listening, observing and when appropriate, participating. If the story includes a puppet show for the younger children, then I like to light a candle, reveal the scene at the beginning and cover it over at the end, to signify that it is special and to be treated with respect.

I offer INSET training, workshops and talks which also include hands on learning as and when required.

“ Storytelling has become quite magical in some settings and I would like to thank you for your part in this. Your wonderful gift will remain with me and I can hopefully spread a little more magic to the children I work with, I do hope our paths cross again. You were truly inspirational! ”
Rachel Pooler – Early Years Advisory Worker North Warwickshire Reflecting on The Dordon Project

“ Danya, I don't know how I will ever be able to thank you enough for all of your help and support. You have been absolutely amazing! I really loved coming to observe you the other day – it was fantastic”
Lara – teacher and storyteller

“ I have worked with Danya Miller several times over the past 2 to 3 years, initially interviewing her for a language project at a primary school in Coventry. Part of the interview process was a practical demonstration of her skills and I remember being particularly impressed at the way she immediately built a rapport with the children (foundation stage) and at the way she used voice/songs/sounds/gestures/found objects/artifacts to provoke a feeling of awe and wonder.....and stillness. The children were naturally drawn to her. She went on to work in this particular school at length and built excellent working relationships with all who worked alongside her (teachers, young people and fellow practitioners). Since then I have gone on to recommend her for further work in some of the other schools I work with - and have never been anything but impressed at the work she has done. This work has tended to be in KS1.
She is a skilled collaborator and a warm, likeable individual. She has mentored less experienced practitioners and also worked alongside practitioners from different disciplines, being a great advocate for thorough ongoing planning and reflective practice. Danya is an excellent communicator and very hardworking, giving of her creative skills very generously, sharing techniques and skills and offering support and advice when needed. Alongside this the workshop sessions she has taken for teaching staff and parents have been well delivered and thought provoking.
My experience of working with Danya has been exemplary and she comes highly recommended.”
Lesley Whelan – Creative Agent for Cre8us (formally Creative Partnerships Coventry)

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