Hello,

I couldn't find a particular place on the board to introduce myself so I hope I can do that here.

My name is Gene Allen. I am a motivational speaker/entertainer in Western PA. I also perform family shows and teach music privately - guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica.

I did not join the board to pitch my services. I may ask your advice now and then as to how to better serve schools and students but I am NOT here to get gigs. My philosophy is to give my best and give what's needed and the money will come.

I joined the board to learn how best to do that - give the schools the best that I can. I figure the best way to do that is to read and learn what issues you have. So I'll mostly be a lurker.

So with that in mind I hope I am welcome here.

Thanks for reading and have a great day.
-Gene Allen

PA to CA would be one heck of a drive... Welcome

Wow Gene, you are pretty talented, beign able to play all those instruments!

Welcome to the board! You can learn a lot from this site! I woudl be lost without it!

Your philosophy is right! You reap what you sow. IMHO, the best way to serve the students is to link academics to your service. I look for assemblies and performers who can make the connections to fun and learning. The more you do that, the more schools will be interested.

Good Luck!

We also look for entertainmers who connect their form of entertainment with other relevant issues of a child's life.

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Shawn: Yeah, that would be a bit of a drive. I had a gig in Michigan a few years ago. That was far enough.

GaMom: Thanks. I'm looking forward to learning here. It's fun being able to play all of those (I play other kinds too) and it's therapeutic too - It's hard to be sad when you're playing a banjo.

GaMom & Robin: That's the best part of what I do. My 2 most popular programs are the drug awareness and reading programs. I love that I have several big boxes of hand made thank you cards from the kids.

The basic format of the assembly is like a variety show. I use songs, skits with some of the kids, magic with some volunteers, puppets, and stories to deliver the messages. Some kids come up on stage and all of them actively participate in the audience during the whole assembly - no one ever falls asleep.

Any way, that's enough of a commercial. As I said, I'm here to learn; about issues, concerns, and relevant topics in order to provide better programs.

And I thank you all again for welcoming me here.

Gene Allen