Keith Bear - Storyteller, Musician, Flutemaker

Keith Bear (O Mashi! Ryu Ta - "Northern Lights") is a world renowned Mandan/Hidatsa storyteller and musician from Fort Berthold, North Dakota. He has performed at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Kennedy Center, Lewis & Clark Bicentennial signature events throughout the US, the International Storytellers Festival in Wales, UK; for the North Dakota Arts Council, and in cultural programs throughout Europe. He has soloed with the National Symphony and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in performances of the Old Turtle Symphony (composer: Linda Tutas Haugen).

He performs as a solo storyteller and musician, and with the trio People of the Willows. Performed by an ensemble of Native and non-Native artists, People of the Willows is a celebration of Spirit of Place. The group, which includes Gary Stroutsos on flute and composer Jovino Santos Neto on keyboards, weaves a mystical performance that includes both traditional and original works inspired by Native melodies.
View program (PDF Format)

The Artist

Keith Bear - Storyteller, Musician, Flutemaker: Keith Bear, Mandan storyteller, flute player, dancer.
Read complete biography

Educational Outreach
View Education Outreach PDF

For booking and availability, please contact
Kathleen M. Hosfeld
email

What They're Saying

"Keith Bear's performance connected with the audience with a strong emotional effect. Many people mentioned how his music reminded them of home, their families, and comforted them. Many people described their experience as peaceful..."
— Concordia College, Intercultural Affairs Program

""Keith was able to expertly tailor his program according to the audience's response and engaged our members throughout the performance. ..He is an extraordinarily talented performer and a consummate professional.""
— Kelly Henderson, Nelson-Atkinds Museum of Art

"The centerpiece of The Waters Speak was the storytelling of Keith Bear, whose captivating presence and personality dominated the stage.""
— Kirkland Performance Center

"Keith Bear has a talent that is widely known in this community...we had a very well-attended event. We look forward to having him perform on our campus again in the future."
— NDSU, Director of Multicultural Student Services

Audio

All Through the Night

Mandan Heartbreak Song

Morning Star Whispered Intro

Northern Lights

The Origin Song

Turtle and Pretty Crane

Walking on the Water

Poster

People of the Willows

Hi-Rez Photos

Keith Bear Photo (Please credit BHPIMages.com)

Upcoming Performances

Please contact us for block booking opportunities.

Grand Opening: Native American Exhibit
November 8, 2009
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Kansas City, MO
http://www.nelson-atkins.org/
Solo Performance of traditional Mandan-Hidatsa songs and stories

Native American Child and Family Conference
February 3, 2010
Radisson Hotel
Bismark, ND
Keynote Address: "A Circle of Families and Friends"

Del Norte Association for Cultural Awareness
May 7, 2010
Crescent Elk Auditorium, 994 G Street
Crescent City, CA
707-464-1336
http://www.dnaca.net/
With Jovino Santos Neto, an evening of songs and stories from the Plains of North Dakota.

AI/ANEA Conference
June 7, 2010
Ramkota Hotel
Rapid City, SD
Solo presentation - Songs and stories from the Mandan and Hidatsa

Minot Symphony Orchestra
October 9, 2010
Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, Minot State University
Minot, ND
Performance with Minot Symphony Orchestra; Philip Glass Piano concerto No. 2; Native Flute solo.