Randy's Bio

Randy Wilson, Folk Arts Education Program Director
Randy brings a wealth of talent to the Settlement School's Folk Arts Education Program. In addition to being an accomplished songwriter, performer, storyteller and dance-caller, Randy has a knack for teaching young people the traditional songs, dances and stories of Appalachia and engaging them in telling and performing their own stories.

Randy currently works with public school students in Knott County as well as providing Folk Arts programming for the county's senior citizens center, nursing home, a rehab center and a preschool. He has served as Folk Artist in Residence in Leslie and Knott County Schools, taught core curiculum in Humanities and led cultural exchanges with multi-racial urban schools. His Kid's Radio productions are broadcast on WMMT 88.7 FM out of Whitesburg, KY. He has performed at numerous venues in the U.S. and has recorded several CDs.

Randy is also active in representing the Appalachian region in a variety of cultural exchanges and served as a member of the Coalfield Delegation to the United Nations gathering in New York, NY in 2006.

Randy has an undergraduate degree in Philosophy & Religion and a Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkleley, CA. He is also ordained in the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ and has training in pastoral counseling.

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