Seasons of the South – The Original Home Grown Musical and Storytelling Show and Fine Art Photography Exhibition

CAMDEN, SC—The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County (FAC) presents the second annual performance of Seasons of the South – The Original Home Grown Musical and Storytelling Show, written by Teri Leigh Teed, on Friday, April 17 in the Wood Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. A reception for the opening night of Ms. Teed’s fine art photography exhibition “Seasons of the South – Celebrate Nature, Celebrate Life ” will be held prior to the performance beginning at 5:30 p.m. Jordon Turner (folk harp) and Elizabeth Derrick (Native American flute) will perform during the reception and show. Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Decadent Dish along with a cash bar. Tickets are $10 for admission to the performance. Seasons of the South is sponsored by Roy Fakoury/Wells Fargo Advisors.

• About the Show
For the second annual performance, Seasons of the South celebrates the natural beauty of the South through original, uplifting and inspirational stories, poetry and songs. Listed on the international Earth Day Network’s 40th anniversary events, the mission of the performance is to raise awareness for sustainable/regenerative agriculture.
Ms. Teed will be joined by several local and regional artists including Patty Tolbert (violin,) Chandra Richardson (vocals,) Helen Walker and Doby’s Mill Elementary (DME) Choraliers, East of West, Luke Williams (bass,) Jim Thomas (dobro,) Dan Rhodus (guitar,) Fred Ogburn (percussion,) Jordon Turner (folk harp,) Elizabeth Derrick (Native American flute,) Yolanda Jones (flute) and Bishop Thomas Bell (emcee.) Special guest Mr. Pearl Fryar, world renowned topiary artist, is reading poetry. Tap your feet, clap your hands, sing along, and just have fun!

• About the Performers
Teri Leigh Teed is an artist, author, poet, singer/songwriter, and musician. Born in Columbia, SC, as a child she spent her summers on Horse Island on St Helena’s Sound and the mountains of North Carolina. After 20 years in the corporate world, Teri took a personal sabbatical and moved to London to study art and historic architecture at Sotheby’s Institute and received her M.A. from the University of Buckingham. Once an employee of HM Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, she now calls Camden home. The mandolin entered Teri’s life as a present for herself Christmas 2012. When friend Phyllis David invited Teri to read her poetry at a Lenten service in the spring of 2013, the Seasons of the South show was born. Inspiring others is the hallmark of her stories, poetry, songs and fine art photography. Her website is www.healingspiritart.com. The exhibition runs through May 8.

Chandra O. Richardson is a native of Lugoff and the proud daughter of Mary and Grover Richardson. She is an educator in the Kershaw County School District and is a graduate of USC with a B.S. in Education, as well as a M.ED from Francis Marion University and a Master’s in Education Administration. She enjoys singing, dancing, writing, event planning, and acting. She has performed in We Are the Dream with the Columbia Children’s Theatre, and was in the cast of DOGS at Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston. Creator and Founder of Mind Your Business Enterprise and the Café A La Rich: Etiquette, Manners, and Healthy Lifestyle program, Chandra has worked with the young adults and children’s ministry with Bible Way and is a Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader. She has served as an ambassador of the US for the People to People Program for two years and was a missionary within the continental US. Locally, she has performed with the Voices of Camden, recorded and ministered with the Levitical Praise Team, and has served on committees at the FAC.

Helen Walker is a national board certified music teacher and has been in the classroom 19 years. Helen hails from Birmingham, England and moved here 14 years ago as an exchange teacher. She bestows an immense passion for the teaching and learning of music and has created an award-winning program of which the DME Choraliers are a part of. The DME Choraliers is a chorus for 3rd-5th grade students who wish to sing, perform, compete and develop their musicality through a range of choral music.

Patty Tolbert began her study of the violin at the age of two, thanks to a mom and dad who highly valued music education. She earned numerous awards and honors throughout high school including top chairs in the Florida All-State Orchestra each year as well as a one week residency in St. Augustine with the London Symphony Orchestra. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Furman University in Greenville, SC. She now teaches private violin lessons in Camden where she and her husband Luke are raising their three young daughters.

Elizabeth Derrick and Jordon Turner made their musical partnership debut in February 2015. Elizabeth and Jordon are musicians born and raised in South Carolina. Elizabeth is a certified music teacher and Jordon is a board certified music therapist. They came together with the calling to support and bless others through their music. Together Elizabeth uses the acoustic guitar, Native American flute, and voice while Jordon uses harp and voice. Their genre has been compared to New Age Folk and Inspirational music. Their music is strongly influenced by an appreciation for nature and awareness of spirit. This influence manifested most evidently within their performance of “IgNite Solarfire Improvisation,” which inspired Teri Leigh Teed to invite them to her event Seasons of the South.

Bishop Thomas C. Bell is a native of Tarboro, NC. He faithfully served in the US Air Force for 16 years. He accepted his call to ministry, was mentored and licensed in 1989 under the covering of Grace Cathedral Ministries. He was given the spiritual assignment to pastor in Camden in 1993. Continuing to serve in this capacity, he was called by God to birth Cathedral of Praise Ministries, Inc. In 2001, also known as COP Ministries. Bishop Bell’s unique ability to inspire youth, to speak the truth boldly as well as lead by example, his passion for life, and love for people have been used to help revive the true sense of community, breaking down denominational, racial and economic walls. Because of his love for and ministry to people throughout the area, he adopted the title “Community Pastor.” Bishop Bell assists in ministry throughout the southeast region of the United States.

Pearl Fryar is a world-renowned topiary artist residing in Bishopville, SC. From an empty cornfield, “Mr. Pearl” has created a unique garden of international renown, hosting over 10,000 annual visitors from around the globe. An amazing accomplishment especially considering he only had a three minute lesson on topiary prior to starting his venture over 20 years ago. He is one of South Carolina’s greatest statesmen. You can read more about Fryar and his work at www.pearlfryar.com.

Advance tickets for the performance are available at the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County, 810 Lyttleton Street in Camden, (803) 425-7676, ext. 300; or online at www.fineartscenter.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

The Fine Arts Center is a 501c3 organization that is funded in part by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding provided by the City of Camden, Kershaw County, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina along with donations from businesses and individuals.