Rita Cantu: Reviews
The Millennium Stage joins the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the USDA Forest Service with Music of the Earth, featuring storyteller, singer, dancer, and flute player Keith Bear and storyteller/songwriter Rita Cantú.
Rita Cantú works with the Conservation and the Arts program, which uses artists, dancers, writers, musicians, storytellers, and poets to tell the story of the growth of conservation policy in the United States. Throughout her career, Cantú has also maintained a separate business as a storyteller, songwriter, and performer. Cantú received the Forest Service Southwest Region’s Outstanding Interpreter of the Year Award in 1997 and 2000.
“Last year, Rita Cantu facilitated most of our Forest Leadership Team monthly meetings, through a transition period of several key staff changes and a new Forest Supervisor. She constructed agendas and reporting forms, organized our information-sharing system, developed a project tracking process, and proposed group agreements and protocols. Our entire Leadership Team experienced a better decision-making environment, resulting in greater accomplishments within our given timeframes. I would recommend Rita as a rigorous facilitator and for designing decision-support systems. She is a creative and dynamic person and her skills at improving communications and group effectiveness are excellent.”
Max Copenhagen
Deputy Forest Supervisor
San Bernardino National Forest
- Forest Service Leadership (Mar, 2007)
This music is so heartfelt and real ... excellent lyrics and arrangements ... and an incredible voice! Thank you for introducing me to this singer/songwriter!
-listener comments (Mar 16, 2007)
“One of Arizona's favorite folksingers”
- Arizona Irish Music Society
Rita’s rich lyrics and powerful presence creates a performance that is at once inspiring, informative, and relaxing. It re-creates trust that Life is unfolding as it should. Don’t miss her program!”
- Zene Magazine (Oct, 2006)
Rita Cantu sings and plays guitar, drum, and flute as well as being a wonderful storyteller. And that barely begins to describe her talent and spirit. An active member of the Prescott Arts Community and a true environmentalist who is a performer for the United States Forestry Service. The Folk Sessions is very pleased to welcome Rita back to the show.