ParentGuide® Spotlight Interview with Laurie Berkner
 The Laurie Berkner Band Comes to Tampa Bay on February 22, 2009 at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Tickets are on sale now.
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The following is another ParentGuide.com Star Spotlight interview.
Laurie Berkner
If reality television producers hid cameras in homes that contain preschoolers, they would hear a lot of original music being sung my moms and dads who realize that a fun, made-up song about brushing teeth, picking up toys or eating vegetables is an effective way to obtain a desired behavior. It’s falls under the strategy of distraction and takes advantage of a child’s natural love of music. Fortunately for most parents, children have an underdeveloped taste for music and anything put to a tune can instantly turn a battle of will into a game. No rhyming necessary. No singing talent required. Just make it a song.
Making lovable songs from child’s play launched Laurie Berkner (who can rhyme and sing) from a New York City preschool teacher to a popular children’s recording artist who can be seen on the NOGGIN channel’s Jack’s Big Music Show. Since 1997, she has released five CD’s, a picture book and a DVD that was certified quadruple platinum. Her recordings have won critical acclaim and awards, but most importantly her unique ability to connect with kids has earned her star status among the Pre-K set. If the Wiggles are a kid-level-version of the Beatles, then Berkner is a kid-level-version of Sheryl Crow, complete with acoustic guitar, curly hair and bubbly performances.
 The Laurie Berkner Band is performing at Ruth Eckerd Hall on February 22 to promote their newest CD titled, Rocketship Run. The CD’s 20 new songs take children on a rocket ship that is in search of treasure. Along the way, listeners are treated to a variety of musical styles including Brazilian samba, Irish jig and folk/gospel.
The music is fresh and fun and the packaging is clean and green. Rather than the typical plastic jewel cases, this CD comes in an eco-friendly package made entirely of post-consumer recycled paper.
Learn more about The Laurie Berkner Band and hear song samples at their website www.twotomatoes.com
Her Inspiration
Shortly after college, Berkner landed a job as a music teacher in a prominent Manhattan preschool, but she lacked experience and the kids weren’t responding to her. It didn’t take long for her to become unsure of herself. “The other music teacher, who was retiring, gave me some great advice. She said that instead of telling them what to do, I should say it with the music. So I started making things up and giving them directions in the songs. And it worked!”
The children continued to be her inspiration. “What do you want to sing about today?” she would ask them. And for that day the song would be about whatever came from their young, and often times silly, imaginations. (“We are the Dinosaurs” and “Pig on her Head.”) She listened to their conversations, observed them on the playground and pulled directly from their actions and words to create a collection of songs that would eventually lead her into a new career.
Today, Berkner shares her love of music by encouraging listening instead of watching. “I want to create a visual world that comes from the child’s imagination. I want to give them an opportunity to be a part of the music in their heads – something that is stimulating and creative.”
On Motherhood
Berkner was performing children’s music prior to becoming a mother herself. While the children at her school provided good material for her songs, her heart was eventually stolen by Lucy, her now 4-year old daughter.
“I love to see her spirit come out as she grows more into herself. I see these markers of time, like when she quit breastfeeding, and I realize that she is a separate person from me and that is a beautiful process to watch. It makes me feel warm, scared and alive.”
Along with husband Brian, her family of three lives in Manhattan, and despite being a big-name performer, Berkner is first and foremost a wife and mom. Like most other moms she struggles with balance, but sets her travel schedule so she is only away for one night at a time. Production for “Rocketship” took longer than expected because she chose to work only one or two days a week.
“When Lucy was 15 months old, I was working on the set of our new DVD having to perform and smile while at the same time worrying about Lucy who was sick. I was singing for the camera, but on the inside was I wondering if she was sleeping. I was nursing her at the time too and so I really felt the demands of working and raising a small child.”
When asked what she wants Lucy to learn from her being a working mom: “You know, this came up in my parent group just the other day. One woman said she felt it was important for daughters to see their moms working, but I feel like it’s more important for Lucy to see me mothering. We should do what we love and enjoy our work, but family is most important.”
Wisdom to Pass Along
“Remember that everything changes. If it’s scary now, you will change and so will your child. Enjoy the now because in a moment, it won’t be now anymore.”
“Do not blindly act on someone’s advice because their truth is different from yours. It’s good to ask questions and do research, but in the end, do what’s right for you.”
“When you’re annoyed and want to snap, take a moment and choose to do the most loving thing. And if you miss that moment, there’s another one right after that.”
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