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JohnFarrellMusic.com

Meet John Farrell

John Farrell is an internationally acclaimed songwriter, author, and peace educator. 

For over 25 years he has been doing assembly programs, workshops and family concerts at schools, conferences, and community events. He has visited more than 1500 schools in 25 countries around the world. 

John’s songs and stories focus on understanding, empathy, nature, literacy, and much more. John’s music video “The Great Earth Sing Along,” received a Parents Choice Award and a Dove Foundation Award. John was also the recipient of a “Freedom Through Literacy Award” from Judith’s Reading Room.

He is the author of three Boyds Mills Press picture books, including “Stargazer’s Alphabet,” an International Reading Association Notable Book of the Year. John has recorded eight CDs of songs and stories.

Before beginning his career as a performer, writer, and storyteller, John Farrell worked for Macmillan Publishing Company. He was the Executive Producer of “Songs and Stories,” a comprehensive audio program of more than 250 songs and stories correlated to the thematic units in the company’s literature based reading program. Since leaving Macmillan in 1992 John has written and recorded over 200 songs and stories to support curriculum instruction in Early Childhood Education, Language Arts, Science, Math, ESL, Social Studies, and Character Education. He has been a keynote speaker and featured presenter at major educational conferences and festivals in Europe, Africa, Asia, New Zealand and North America.

John’s wife, Ann Marie, is a retired elementary and preschool teacher. She is also a guitarist and singer. They do school programs and concerts together. The Farrells live in Hillsdale, NY and spend time each summer at a family farmhouse in Prince Edward Island, Canada. John and Ann Marie are the parents of five adult children and the proud grandparents of Ella and Owen Brady. John enjoys outdoor adventures. He is a former marathon runner who enjoys exciting challenges. John has bicycled 170 miles in one day and tries to ride 100 miles a week all summer. While on one of his visits to Africa, he jumped off the Bloukrans Bridge, the highest bungee jump in the world. In 2014 along with his daughter Maggie, nephew Michael, and friend Riley he climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. 

"One on One" with Becky Magura

John joins PBS host, Becky Magura, to share his vision and message. 

“John’s presentation style fits perfectly with the latest research. By using music, stories, and audience participation he reaches students with many different learning styles. I highly recommend John’s programs for all schools.”
-Dr. Lesley MorrowProfessor, Rutgers University
“Your programs are not just performances, they are experiences which linger in the songs and stories that can be heard around our school for months after you’ve left. You have become the standard to which every other performer is compared.”
-Robery W. Kesser​Principal, Dr. H.O. Smith School
Hudson, New Hampshire
“The Children of the Columbia River sing out with John at school programs, in concerts, and at our annual festival, and through his music, are finding their ways as stewards of this wonderful river.”
-Debrah MarriottExecutive Director Lower Columbia River Estuary Project
“The kids were enthralled… we could’ve sat there and listened for hours. “
-Claudia JustesonTeacher, New Hyde Park, N.Y
“The Children of the Columbia River sing out with John at school programs, in concerts, and at our annual festival, and through his music, are finding their ways as stewards of this wonderful river.”
-Debrah MarriottExecutive Director Lower Columbia River Estuary Project
“Your material was perfectly chosen for the different levels you worked with.”
-Bill Van PattenMorning Program Reunion and West Canada Valley ES, N.Y
“Your programs are not just performances, they are experiences which linger in the songs and stories that can be heard around our school for months after you’ve left. You have become the standard to which every other performer is compared.”
-Robert W. KeeserPrincipal Dr. H.O. Smith School, Hudson, New Hampshire
“We’re still talking about you. Thanks for a magical morning we’ll all remember.”
-Treasa KirkTeacher, Galway, Ireland
“Your joyfulness set a wonderful tone for the weeks that followed in our PARP celebration. We loved the literary tie-ins you made. Rest assured you will be invited back to help us celebrate reading and learning.”
-Pat NewellPARP Chairperson, Sacketts Harbor, N.Y.
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Bridges of Peace and Hope Founder

John Farrell is also the founder of “Bridges of Peace and Hope,” an international, non-profit organization of teachers and students dedicated to promoting education and understanding through collaborative, creative arts exchanges and service learning projects.

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