about parker genné

Parker Genné creates original music-theater-dance folk operas; she is a disabled (neurodivergent, brain injured, chronic pain) leader, adaptive arts educator and performing artist who has worked with and presented internationally with arts and health non-profit Kairos Alive (KA) for the last 12 years. Her work Ms. Luisa Eats, inspired by her Italian ancestors, the Gennarelli’s, who immigrated from Casalciprano, Italy, and the Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini, is based in the vaudeville tradition and garnered praise for her “mix of character comedy, well-executed opera, and spaghetti” (Broadway Baby-Edinburgh Fringe). Genné’s work is inspired by personal stories, historical narratives and folktales. For Genné, folktales are a framework for our lives. Through this work and as founder of Folktopia, an intergenerational, multidisciplinary band, Genné works in health, education, in community arts, social services, farming, housing, and with museums and orchestras with work that includes older adults, people with disabilities.

A graduate of the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Vocal Performance and a lifelong dancer, Genné believes in using the natural world, healing systems, and narratives as starting points for creation. She has been presented by MacPhail Spotlight Series, Edinburgh Fringe, performed with traveling artists at Walker Art Ctr and other organizations, received a 2022-24 Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support of Individuals grant in support of new work, folk operas Silver Hands & Pool Party and band Folktopia received multiple grants from Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (Minnesota) in 2022-23. Parker has engaged the people of the VA Medical Center, including both people receiving care and professional caregivers and staff. Centro Tyrone Guzman, Easterseals Florida, MN Orchestra. She has worked in disability organizations, counties, Winona Health and in many other aging, disability communities teaching movement, music and story, research learning/embodied healing. Genné engages students working in arts learning projects from pre-school thru college through her work with KA and lectures on her own research and pedagogy: Explorations in trauma-informed voice and movement learning for all ability classrooms. Her work centers service to self and community through art-making while engaging in radical welcome of all people of all generations.