Keynote Speakers 2010
> Julie Austin, Hand in Hand Productions, Scottdale, GA> Ronda Rich Creative, Inc., Gainesville, GA
Morning Keynote Speaker
Julie Austin
Hand in Hand Productions
Scottdale, GA
EDUCATION
Graduate Studies
Master of Arts in Teaching Early Childhood, Oakland University, Rochester, MI
(in conjunction with The High/ Scope Research Foundation, Ypsilanti, MI ) - 1997
Special Training
• 1994 - High/Scope Training of Teacher’s Training
• 1992 - Present - Human Awareness Institute (Personal growth and communication
skills)
Undergraduate Studies
Bachelor of Science, Musical Performance, Oakland University, Rochester, MI -
1975
EXPERIENCE
• Professional Children’s Musician, Ann Arbor, MI 1984 - Present
• Workshops and training for teachers; Musical presentations to children
and teachers throughout Michigan, the US. and Canada
• Certified Trainer of Teachers in the High/Scope Curriculum, High/Scope
Educational Research Foundation, Ypsilanti, MI, 1994 - Present
• Master Artist, Wolftrap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts,
Vienna, VA 1987 - Present
• Residency programs for preschool and children including conference presentations,
performances, training, inservices and workshops
• Julie Austin and David Mosher, Children’s music 1995 - Present
• Professional children’s music duo who perform concerts throughout
Michigan and the Midwest
• Performer in “SongSisters”, Ann Arbor, MI - 1985 - 1995
• Professional duo who performed extensively, gave teacher workshops and
made five children’s recordings
• Preschool Teacher, High/Scope Demonstration Preschool, Ypsilanti, MI
- 1992,1994
• Music Director, Oakland University Department of Music,
• Theatre and Dance Summer Youth Arts Camp, Rochester, MI 1993, 1994
• Instructor, Guitar and Voice in Switzerland, British Columbia, Canada
and Michigan, 1967 - 1997
ACHIEVEMENTS
• National Parent’s Choice Silver Honor’s Award for Fandagumbo
by Julie Austin, produced by David Mosher, 1999
• National Parent’s Choice Award for Hello Sun, Goodnight Moon by
the SongSisters, 1992
• Best Children’s Entertainer, Metro Parent Magazine, 1991
Afternoon
Keynote Speaker
Ronda Rich
Ronda Rich Creative, Inc.
Gainesville, GA
Ronda Rich is the best-selling author of What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should), a book that is now in its 27th printing, after being bought by a major New York publishing company during a four-day auction.
“Scarlett O’Hara couldn’t have said it better,” declared the Atlanta Journal Constitution about What Southern Women Know.
“Engagingly makes her case with hilarious anecdotes about Dixie Chicks who have succeeded in life and love by applying their Steel Magnolia principles,” raved People.
That book launched a new career for the former award-winning sports writer, who has now become a popular Southern sage, dispensing musings and observations in her weekly, syndicated newspaper column and speaking at over 100 events each year as a humorous and inspirational speaker. She is also a commentator on Southern life for Georgia Public Broadcasting.
In 2002, HarperCollins released a memoir of her years in NASCAR racing as a journalist and publicist. My Life In The Pits became a favorite among readers and critics including renowned broadcaster Paul Harvey who called it a “great read” and the New York Times who called it “one of the greatest sports books ever written”.
Continuing her successful streak as a writer of Southern stories, her most recent books, What Southern Women Know About Flirting and The Town That Came A-Courtin’, Ronda’s critically-acclaimed first novel, were both released by Penguin-Putnam together, marking the first time in history that an author has released two books on the same day. The Town That Came A-Courtin’ has recently been courted by Hollywood and optioned for a movie.
In the Spring, 2009, Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins, will released the highly anticipated What Southern Women Know About Faith, a heart-tugging and lyrical look at how the South’s women have defined the region through their steadfast beliefs and faith.
She has appeared on dozens of television shows including The View, The Other Half, Best Damn Sports Show, CNN and appeared in many magazines including Cosmopolitan, Redbook and Woman’s Own.
