Australia's, Seona McDowell
Multicultural Musical Programs for the Entire Family
She calls herself a "singer of songs". She certainly is that! SEONA McDOWELL is also a teller of stories, an emissary of knowledge, a communicator and one of the most unusual and versatile entertainers to out of Cleveland (via Bombay, India, New Zealand and Australia) in many years. Her colorful background is a press agent's dream and even if she couldn't sing a note, it's more than likely that she could stand on stage and charm an audience simply by carrying on a conversation in her delightful accent. It was in Australia that she began her professional singing career that brought her recognition and success resulting in Australia's OZ Music Award for Best Female Folksinger in 1979 & 1980.
There is a rare quality both in Seona and her selection of music. Her enthusiasm for the varied cultures she has encountered rubs off on everyone around her. This is undoubtedly the reason she became so popular in schools with her music education programs for all learning institutions in Australia, New Zealand and now in America. Drawing on her own colorful and extensive travels and wide repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs from around the world with a large emphasis on Australian poetry, history and folk dancing. Seona brings the folklore and rich heritage of her music to children and adults alike.
Educational Outreach Programs
Seona Mcdowell has the ability educate students while they have fun. Her main focus is history, geography, social studies and biology and language through music, dance and stories. If you are studying the history of any country, Seona, using Australia as an example, will show you how to make it an experience your students will never forget. She is a citizen of the world. Born in India of Irish/English parents, raised in New Zealand and the Australia, Her capacity to imbue the students with a world view is amazing. While students are up singing on the microphone, playing in the bush-band and dancing “The Queensland Backstep”, they learn about Australia’s strange animal, how to make and play an Aboriginal instrument the digeridoo, how America and Australia had parallel histories and how Australia was settled. She is also a songwriter of note. Her songwriting residencies are exciting and give students an opportunity to be creative in writing and music as well as opening a great career opportunity.