I-Comm Week - Speaker Bio

Natalie Daise
Storyteller

Hey There!

You probably know me as "Miss Natalie" on Gullah Gullah Island—the mother who with a song on my lips and a smile on my face, solves all the problems and loves all the children. Well, actually, that's not all that far from the truth. I am a mother. Sara and Simeon, who play themselves on our show, are Ron's and my real children. I do sing a lot. Everybody in our house does. As a matter of fact, I grew up in a house that was full of music. My dad sang baritone, my mom contralto; my great grandmother had a strong lead voice, and my two brothers and I filled in the spaces. And yes, I do smile a lot. Genetics. My whole family is blessed with big, white, smiley teeth. As far as loving children goes, that's true too. In real life, though, I don't have quite as much time for daylong games, elaborate decorations and wacky snacks. And as for problem solving? I do my best. I'm not nearly as good or as calm about it as my character is on TV (sometimes I'm downright grouchy), but what can I say? That's TV for you! Everything neat and tidy and wrapped in 23 minutes.

But I'm sure you knew there was more to our lives than what you've seen on television. I grew up in Rochester and Syracuse, New York where I still have family. I moved to the Lowcountry of South Carolina in 1983 and fell in love with the stories, the water, and the salt scented air, and of course, Ron. We married in 1985 and have been singing and working together ever since. Together we have told stories, sung songs, done theater, given lectures, and visited schools, libraries, museums, theaters, convention centers, festivals… (!) all over the country.

During this time I earned my B.A. degree in Writing, we made three recordings of songs and stories, appeared in several television documentaries and taped four seasons of Gullah Gullah Island for Nick Jr. For the most part, it has been a lot of fun. It's also been a challenge to live by our talents. We realize that many people never have that opportunity. When I was a little girl, dreaming of what I would be when I "grew up," it never occurred to me that I could tell stories for a living. Or that the things that made me unique (my imagination, love of music, passion for words) would create and shape the life I would lead as an adult. Now I know that the very best thing that anyone can do, regardless of their age, is to be themselves to the best of their ability. If I can pass that on to my children, along with a deep trust in God, it will be my greatest accomplishment.