Kathleen Macferran - Giraffe Tales

Kathleen Macferran is certified as a Trainer for the Center for Nonviolent Communication (founder Marshall Rosenberg). She has offered Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training to schools, community groups, churches, hospitals, families, correctional officers, and prison inmates. She is one of the trainers for the Freedom Project, an affiliate organization of CNVC that strengthens community safety through supporting the transformation of prisoners into peacemakers. In addition to working with the Center for Nonviolent Communication, Kathleen founded and was the Music Director of the Rainier Chamber Winds from 1990-2008. Kathleen views the music ensemble as a metaphor for social organization since the well being of one individual clearly depends on the well being of all. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a practical, learnable process for communicating with empathy, honesty, power and compassion. It integrates personal development with social change. The purpose of NVC is to ensure everyone's needs are valued equally and fulfilled in ways that contribute to connection, harmony and peace. It develops people's ability to listen to and transform blame, anger and criticism into respectful, constructive communication, and to resolve conflicts peacefully. "Giraffe Tales" evolved from a playful metaphor sometimes used in Nonviolent communication trainings referring to NVC as "giraffe language." The giraffe is the land animal with the largest heart. The heart represents the place of universal feelings and needs. The giraffes' height affords views of the distant horizon and the consequences of actions. The neck also is a reminder of the courage it takes to stick out one's neck in service of one's values.

1) How Giraffes Found Their Hearts for Ensemble
2) How Giraffes Got Their Ears for Ensemble