 photo by Greta Manville |
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CONTACT |
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Mary Jo Balistreri Waukesha, Wisconsin |
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BIO
Mary Jo was a concert pianist and harpsichordist for most of her life. She began writing poetry when music could no longer contain
or transcend the grieving process caused by the death of two grandsons who died from Mitochondrial Disease. Poetry, the music
of words, provided unexpected healing. Mary Jo is available for poetry readings and presentations that reflect on her personal story about writing and healing. Her work
and story have been featured at Genesee Depot's Cornerstone and at Ten Chimneys where she has been a docent for eight years.
Jo has enjoyed reading poetry for fundraisers that have benefited the Waukesha Food Pantry and The Women's Center. She has
participated in readings throughout Wisconsin, Florida and in Delaware at the Writers at the Beach Conference. She has received many honors for her poetry. Most recently, she was presented a Jade Ring Award for serious poetry from the
Wisconsin Regional Writers Association. In 2006, she was nominated for a Pushcart and in 2007, won first place in the Kay Saunders
Memorial New Poet Contest. Her writing has been published in journals such as The Healing Muse, Passager, Free Verse, Echoes,
Spindrift and Windhover. She was a featured poet for Toward the Light, and Bellowing Ark which published her book,
Joy in the Morning. Jo has also served as a judge for the poetry division of Arizona Authors Association. Mary Jo is a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, Wisconsin Regional Writers Association, The Poetry People, Writers at the
Beach, and the Florida State Poets Association. She is also a founding member of Grace River Poets, a group of faith-based poets
who are available for presentations.
PUBLICATIONS Available from the author directly. All proceeds to benefit mitochondrial disease research.
Other Poems |
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BOOKINGS |
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2010
February March May June July October |
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