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Australian born Theresa Behenna is an award winning speaker, emcee, internationally acclaimed piano entertainer, author, recording artist and totally unrelated to Olivia Newton John. Laid off from her office job and describing herself as “young, fearless and a diva wannabe”, Theresa left her native homeland to pursue a musical career that began on a cruise ship for two weeks and resulted in touring the world on a piano bench for several years. Armed with a positive attitude and thirty one evening dresses, Theresa managed her own marketing and business negotiations in twelve countries performing and encountering celebrities such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Matt Lauer, Elton John, Princess Grace, Donald Sutherland, ‘James Bond’ and Andrea Bocelli. With her outgoing personality and musical mastery, global doors opened for Theresa to appear in some of the world’s most prestigious venues from Tahiti to Tokyo, from Singapore to Switzerland. In 2006 her extraordinary career was highlighted when Coca Cola hired her to perform at the Winter Olympics in Italy where she became the only world class piano entertainer to bring back a gold medal. (Minor matter it’s of the candy kind.)
A former bank clerk, waitress, actress, secretary and TV talk show host, Theresa moved to the United States in 1982 and there after began combining popular songs with Aussie humor, original stories and a motivational message that launched her into the speaking industry. Theresa’s inspirational, entertaining keynotes have been in demand by associations, corporations and non profit organizations largely because the music sets her apart from most other professional speakers in the country. Her unique style of playing the piano to emphasize relevant points has resulted in a universal appeal that energizes and uplifts a wide range of audiences with clients like ExxonMobil saying: “Theresa's music and humor significantly increased the impact of her message and really delivered the results we were looking for. Our employees said this was the best meeting they’ve attended in 20 years!” Her extensive international experience, customized content, humorous speaking style and outstanding musical talent connects her to diverse cultures and all generations in today’s global society.
Theresa is a professional member of the National Speakers Association where she won the John Wolfe Award for speaking excellence in 2007. She is a founding member of the Australian-American Chamber of Commerce and former President of the Piano Entertainers Guild. A contributing author to the anthology "Rekindling the Human Spirit” (Liberty Publishing) Theresa continues to write numerous articles, newsletters and blogs. Her top selling piano CD “Songs for Friends” was recorded in 2001 with her second album soon to be released.
Theresa resides in Houston where she has yet to sound like a native Texan.
Presentation Topics
Change your Tune, Change your Life!
The Upside of Change in a Downsized Economy: Learning to Rock ‘n’ Roll with Life’s Twists ‘n’ Turns!
Within minutes audiences are laughing out loud, clapping along to live music and listening spellbound to original stories as they gain hope for the future, encouragement to pursue goals and inspiration about new opportunities within changing times.
Theresa shares life changing lessons from the piano bench that began with being laid off from an office job to a piano bench that took her from playing in a honky-tonk pub in Australia, to twelve countries around the world, to performing at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy. Morale is boosted and stress is eliminated as attendees experience first hand the dynamic power of music that positively influences their mood and behavior. Minds are opened to provoke new thought in discovering how tough times can be the catalyst needed to change attitudes and behaviors, the importance of specific communications to achieve goals, the benefits of moving through fear and failure, the power of persistence, the danger in resisting Change and the fundamental value of acceptance in today’s global society.
Breaking through the barriers of generations, cultural diversity, social and economic status, the universal language of Theresa’s music unites people and connects her instantly with a wide range of audiences. With her international background and humorous speaking style, Theresa captivates attention while she plays popular songs wrapped around key points promoting long term memory. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Matt Lauer, Donald Sutherland, Princess Grace, Elton John, ‘James Bond’, President Bush Sr. and Andrea Bocelli are just some of the celebrities Theresa has encountered throughout her extraordinary career resulting in fascinating stories that enthrall audiences of all ages!
The presentation is tailored to suit the needs of your group and the theme of your event.
The Power of Words
Common Communications to Achieve Uncommon Goals
This entertaining program addresses the benefits of choosing the right words to get great results. Using funny stories and many years experience as a small business owner, Theresa outlines how success begins in the mind with having the right attitude. D-u-h, no big surprise, right? However Theresa puts a fresh spin on an old topic using her unique brand of Aussie humor that helps people discover the power and profit of everyday words. Audiences learn how to boost productivity, build better relationships, achieve goals and improve workplace and living environments through smarter communications.
The presentation is customized to address your needs and fit your theme.
ADDED VALUE!
Mixing it up with music, humor and audience participation Theresa can:
• Emcee your awards program and spice it up with humorous anecdotes and popular songs
• Host your corporate event and add fun activities to energize and maintain attention
• Facilitate teams, breakout sessions, round table discussions
• Keep people awake as an after dinner speaker
• Provide piano entertainment at your VIP reception or any time slot during your conference
• Create a musical program tailored to your group for any event – no rules, no worries!
• Write a customized song about your organization for keepsake memorabilia
Testimonials
“Your evaluations rated the highest points possible! Some comments I received from our members: EXCELLENT speaker!...Invite her again…She is SO FUNNY!...Loved the music mingled in with the message… REALLY DIFFERENT!...Her message was great and super entertaining!...AWESOME program!”
Jo D. Miller, HOUSTON SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES
“DYNAMIC opening speaker! She really set the tone and raised the bar for this conference…Her message on Change made me feel she was talking specifically to me because it felt like she was one of us… Message was RELEVANT to us as writers…Fabulous inspirational high energy program!…She played an AMAZING piano!....SUPER start to the conference!”
Attendees at ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA international conference
“This year’s kickoff speaker Theresa Behenna was fantastic as evidenced by the STANDING OVATION at the end of her presentation! I was particularly impressed with how she CONNECTED to our diverse group by including several of our members in her program. Emphasizing her points with music definitely ranks her as being one of the MOST MEMORABLE and entertaining speakers we’ve ever had!”
Devy Hardeman, AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION symposium
“Thanks again for a truly wonderful presentation that made a LASTING IMPRESSION on all who attended our Professional Admin Appreciation lunch. They are still talking about your fun program and how GREAT it made them feel about their work!”
Samuel Ramirez SPHR, TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY
“As with most companies we have a real challenge in keeping our meetings fresh and interesting. From the feedback we received after your presentation the group really appreciated the change of pace and UNIQUE STYLE you brought to us while delivering the results we were looking for. I was amazed at how accurately you were able to weave our corporate culture into your program!”
Charlie Pierce, EXXONMOBIL
Past Clients
EXXONMOBIL
HOUSTON SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES
ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA
AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PURCHASING MANAGERS
METRO NATIONAL CORPORATION
HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION
WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTORS
COMMUNICATORS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
TEXAS HEALTH CHOICE
NATIONAL SPEAKERS ASSOCIATION, AUSTRALIA
ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL
CUSTOMIZED REAL ESTATE SERVICES
ASSOCIATED BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS
TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY
HOSPITALITY SALES & MARKETING ASSOCIATION
FIVE STAR QUALITY CARE
FORT BEND ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
TEXAS ROSE FESTIVAL
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE WOMEN
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