Bowen Lyam Lee

Performance Artist

Storyteller

"I'm looking forward to telling you a story that you'll find valuable, one that might nourish your self-reflection, enlarge your perspective, maybe change your life."

Stories

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Stories *

Folk tales from Asia and around the world, multicultural and inclusive, culturally appropriate and told with cultural sensitivity.

Personal stories from a story slam winner. Sometimes braided with traditional tales for contemporary relevance.

Traditional and Personal Narrative

Historical

Asian women of history. Chautauqua characters Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mt. Everest, Anna May Wong, American film actress, Wong Choy Kui, Bowen’s great grandmother from the Chinese fishing village of Monterey.

Environmental

Stories for environmental conservation and sustainability, of the earth and humanity.

“Once Upon a Time…”

Means get ready to listen deeply. To hook your mind to your heart, To discover wisdom In what you didn’t know and what you already have within you.

To connect with others, the environment, and yourself.

 The Power of Story

More often than not, stories can transform people.

Stories give people a hook to anchor themselves to something new and make it their own by reflection, connection, insight.

Stories do more than educate, of course. Number one, stories entertain, and that draws us in. We buy a ticket to be amused, lose our concerns and worries. But in the end, the story should be helpful in resolving what bothers us. That’s why we keep coming back.

Testimonials

  • "Your Crane Wife was exquisite. Took us right into that crane’s being. You made that much loved story really live again. That’s what good storytellers do.  Blow life back into those ancient texts."

    Margaret Read McDonald

  • "I really was moved by your passion and energy…as well as the content and crafting of your story. I am wanting to tell more stories that directly address our “current situation” in our country and our world in ways that create hope and motivate seeking to understand each other. Watching you tell your story as you did was a great encouragement to me. Thank you for your role modeling!"

    Rose van der Berg

  • I've been telling everyone about it. It was so entertaining we in the audience hardly noticed we were getting a history lesson, too. Part of the magic was how you drew us in, … we were hooked. You had us hanging on your every word. Bravo.

    Bill Strobridge

  • "Bowen was fantastic, lovely, and won the audience."

    Susan Tarleton

Family Programs for Schools, Libraries, Museums, and Youth Organizations

When Animals Talk, We Should Listen

Stories for behavior management, social emotional learning, stories that that enrich the curriculum, support student engagement, and align with standards

These offerings are flexible for classroom use, after-school enrichment, or family literacy nights. All resources connect to Common Core, SEL, and NGSS frameworks and are especially useful for teachers seeking high-interest supplements they may not have time to create themselves.

The Great Race: The Chinese Zodiac and Problem Solving

Storytelling-based performances, classroom workshops, and curriculum enrichment materials designed to support K–8 educators in areas that often fall outside core instruction but align with essential standards and student engagement goals.

They Wear Rainbows

Programs that address literacy, language development, and social studies, with cultural, historical, and personal storytelling.

Story-based approaches to SEL, identity development, and empathy-building.

Creative STEAM extensions using traditional tales and problem-solving.

CHAUTAUQUA

WOMEN OF HISTORY

  • Junko Tabei, the first woman to climb to the top of Mt. Everest and the Seven Summits, which are the highest peaks on all seven continents, has come to address American audiences about her work with the Fukushima Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Programs, particularly her Mt Fuji for the High School Students of Tohoku Project. She will recount her life as a child growing up in Fukushima and the early years of herself as a world class mountain climber, which led to her successful ascent to the summit of Mt. Everest. In 1975, it was a daunting challenge for a woman to get to the top of Everest. But this ordinary Japanese housewife learned long ago, “you can get there if you go step by step.” You are invited to join her on this journey.

  • Born in 1876 at the Chinese fishing village in Monterey, California, Bowen’s great grandmother was raised in the first village of Chinese families in America. Her story and the story of the Chinese at Monterey, tells of the major contributions the Chinese made in the United States, and their perseverance and resilience despite great animosity and restrictions.

  • Anna May Wong appears on the United States quarter as a reminder that sometimes, America can be beautiful. The film star who was named “The Most Beautiful Chinese Woman in the World,” was born in Los Angeles, California, a laundryman’s daughter. Her rise to international celebrity despite the restrictions of her time gives us a window into America in the 20th century.


  • Bowen has created a historical fiction about her great great grandmother who came to California from Toisan, China, in the 1860s. Bowen’s great great grandparents settled in Monterey to make a better life for themselves. This “better life” slipped away from them many times, but they persisted and their now seventh generation family continues life in America.

Contact Us

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