The Storytellers

Nora Maher and Erin Lee Kelly began collaborating in 1998, creating Storytime at FAOSchwarz in NYC. Realizing the need for simple imagination in children’s busy lives, they began Storytime Stage.

“Well paced, high energy, interactive performances based entirely on children’s books… I was impressed with their upbeat performance style and the way they captured the spirit of the books and music."
~ Lisa Kochick, Children’s Librarian, Newburgh Public Library

“Storytime Stage wows a crowd of young and old."
~ Leslie Tucker, Rockland Review

Nora Maher, a native of Westchester, is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. After receiving her BFA in film, Nora spent several years both behind and in front of the camera. She then transferred her focus to live theatre, working both on stage and in the technical arts. She became the Director of Education at the Berkshire Public Theatre in Pittsfield, MA, which prompted her to turn her talents to educational theatre. She now conducts artistic and dramatic workshops for elementary students at schools, libraries and community centers and leads early childhood development programs throughout Westchester. Nora performs with Plush Productions and Children’s Television Workshop.

Erin Lee Kelly began performing as a teenager in Kingston, Ontario, moving to New York to study at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Upon graduation she spent several years as an actress and choreographer, performing in musicals, plays, and films before choosing to focus on music and theatre for children. Her first CD of original children’s music entitled Someone's Gotta Wanna Play, created with Marci Appelbaum, was awarded Best Recording for Younger Children, 2005 by the Children’s Music Web. Their follow-up, Snowdance, was debuted on Rosie O’Donnell’s R Family Cruise to Alaska, and went on to win two ASCAP Awards for excellence in writing and the Family Choice Award. Erin Lee is a registered Music Together™ teacher teaching a developmental music program for very young children and their grown-ups, and an artist-in-residence in inner-city schools in the Bronx teaching songwriting and storytelling. She was recently elected to and served on the Children’s Music Network Board of Directors. When not telling stories with Nora, she can frequently be found performing rock concerts for kids, fronting Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band. This January their first single was honored with the Kids Music Award for 2011.

Nora & Erin Lee frequently appear with:

Vito Leanza: A singer/dancer/puppeteer/ who has performed with everyone from the Metropolitan Opera to the Bob Brown Puppets.

Irene Maher: An award winning singer-songwriter, guitarist and the mom of a school aged boy.