MotherofConfusion » Interviews

NEW MOON GIRLS: A Magazine By Girls For Girls

Genevieve Hinson — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:18:12 +0000

Girl Power! We’re used to hearing the term now, more than a decade after the Spice Girls made it popular, and are seeing more opportunities and support available for girls transitioning into womanhood. But what was available for girl empowerment before those words and ideology became an influence on society? Not much. Which is exactly what Nancy Gruver, mom to twin girls and founder of “New Moon Girls” magazine, discovered in the early 90s when she began searching for information.

Nancy Gruver, founder of "New Moon Girls" magazine.

“When my daughters were 9-years-old, I was thinking that my adolescence and my transition from girlhood into womanhood wasn’t a pretty memory. It was a lot of struggles and a lot of feelings like nobody understood,” Gruver said in an interview with MotherofConfusion.com. “I didn’t know what to try and do to make my daughters’ experience better than that. When I looked around in the early 90s, there was nothing there, no real resources, no research or discussion about these issues.”

The one piece of information Gruver did find was a book called “Meeting at the Crossroads: Women’s Psychology and Girls’ Development” by Lyn Mike Brown and Carol Gilligan. The writers asked the question: “What, on the way to womanhood, does a girl give up?” The answer came from interviews with 100 girls conducted over five years: The passage out of girlhood is a journey into silence and disconnection. At some point, girls will silence their inner voice and put others ahead of themselves.

When Gruver finished the book, she realized that’s what happened to her. She didn’t want that for her daughters. Then, in a flash, an idea was born. What about a magazine for junior girls where girls were in charge? It would be something young readers could connect with about the stages, emotions and physical aspects they may experience as they grow up. Girls could learn to listen to their inner voices, not ignore their needs and stop — or never start — always putting others first.

“I wanted to create a space where girls could be themselves, connect with other girls, be respected and challenged to do things and make the world a better place,” Gruver said.

She called a family meeting about her idea and everyone agreed to go for it – even though Gruver didn’t have journalism experience or know how to create a magazine. “New Moon Girls” was published for the first time on March 21, 1993. It focuses on helping girls discover and honor their true selves, build self-esteem and a positive body image.

Soon after the magazine launched, Gruver – and her editorial staff made up of girls — realized this was more than a magazine for girls by girls, it was a community. In recent years, the has magazine expanded to reflect that community online with their website and social networking platforms. Online, girls can share their poetry, artwork, videos, chat and learn together in a welcoming and safe environment. The site has over 70 trained volunteer moderators and a volunteer counselor. Also, another cool feature is the magazine and website are completely ad free.

“There’s so many ways that we (NewMoon.com) can give help and be supportive. I think of us as a safety net, but not as a way to prevent girls from doing things that might fail, or things that are risky — but as a place they can take a risk,” Gruver said. “And if it does fail, they have a safety net to catch them in the community, in the discussion forums, in their own creativity and it helps them grow and mature.”

Parents can use the magazine as a resource to find subjects as a conversation opener and visit a sister site, Daughters.com, for a parent-to-parent community and resources.

Almost twenty years after the magazine has launched, Gruver has seen great strides in women empowerment. The dream of growing up to be the first woman president is already a reality for some countries – and we see more and more women in positions of governance and decision making every day.

The one thing that Gruver would like any girl to gain from the magazine?

“Their voice, their thoughts, their perspective and contributions are important in the world and the world needs them.”

Subscription to the magazine and a membership to the site is $34.95 for 12 months. This includes 6 bimonthly issues and online community access.

“New Moon Girls” Extras!

- Friend Nancy Gruver with “New Moon Girls” on Twitter
- Read Nancy’s blog
- Parents: Become a fan of “New Moon Girls” on Facebook

The Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac: Anita Silvey’s daily love letter to a book

Go Behind-The-Scenes of PBS Kids with The Parent Show

Genevieve Hinson — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:26:52 +0000

Courtesy of PBS Parents

Listen up and pay attention. That’s exactly what Angela Santomero, co-creator of Super Why, key visionary behind Blue’s Clues and the new host of PBSParents.org’s The Parent Show, did as she met and chatted with mom bloggers across the country this past year.

The conversation started about Super Why, the research behind it and how the show was helping children learn to read in a national marketing panel. It evolved into a discussion where moms shared they were very interested in what was happening behind-the-scenes at PBS Kids, would love a forum to keep the conversation going, and more media options and apps.

Photo courtesy of PBS Parents.

Santomero took that info to heart, brainstormed with Matt Graham, Director PBS Parents, and The Parent Show With Angela Santomero was born.

“My favorite thing to do is to write and learn and to talk to people. Especially being a mom, I’m constantly talking to people about advice and points of view and trying to spark ideas. It’s a natural for me to want to keep spreading that word, and why not do a show?” Santomero said in a recent interview with MotherofConfusion.com.

“That’s kind of how I do it. We get an idea and want to bridge the gap between reading and television, and I want to do a show because I can reach millions of kids at a time.

“Blue’s Clues was about kindergarten readiness skills – everything that a preschooler needed to learn to get ready for kindergarten. I would have been a teacher if I wasn’t doing this, because I wanted to get out there and spark questions and curiosity and in an interesting way.”

Angela Santomero chatting with Ana Florez from SpanglishBaby.com. Photo courtesty of PBS Parents.

The Parent Show extends that concept to moms and dads with this mantra included: There’s no way to be a perfect parent, but a million ways to be a good one.

There are two episodes a week, with the first one being an interview with a celebrity, top mom blogger, expert or someone with an interesting perspective for parents. The focus is on sharing tips, useful information and subjects parents might not have thought about, like speaking a second language.

In a recent show, Santomero chatted with Ana Florez, from SpanglishBaby.com, about how children should learn a second language as soon as possible, that it could make your baby smarter and debunked the myth it would prompt a speech delay. They also chatted about the importance of culture in the home.

The second episode is a follow up, where Santomero shares more information she’s discovered, or how that interview impacted her thinking as a mom and what’s happening with her family around that topic.

Keeping in mind the earlier conversations with mom bloggers, the show has taken an innovative approach with their production schedule and web-only format.

“It’s a real marriage of internet and video show productions. When you think about the way TV shows get made, when the season starts they’ve produced all twenty episodes,” said Matt Graham. “We’re going out and shooting one day, we’re editing the next day and we’re ready to post within a couple of days.”

That approach makes The Parent Show the only one like it online. Beyond that, PBSParents.org has developed an online community that’s a “happy and judgment free place for parents.” Over the past year they’ve expanded their online community and are connecting with parents through multiple social media channels and blogs.

As for the show’s mantra? “We just believe in it,” said Santomero. “That’s exactly what I believe too. You can’t be perfect and why are we trying so hard to be perfect? So let’s show a million ways we can be good at this.”

The Parent Show Extras!

– Watch The Parent Show

– Connect with Angela between episodes on Twitter @AngelaSanto.

– Read Angela’s blog at AngelasClues.com.

– Check out the Super Why! app

Listen to the interview and more on the Mother of a Podcast 01 or click on play button below.

“Disable Bullying” can start with the end of the “R” word

Genevieve Hinson — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:04:44 +0000

Lauren Potter and her mom, Robin Sinkhorn

Glee’s Lauren Potter wants you to end the use of the “R” word. Recently Potter, who is known as Becky Jackson on the show – Sue Sylvester’s (Jane Lynch) assistant cheerleader — stepped into a brighter spotlight as an ambassador to help those with special needs with the “Disable Bullying” campaign.

It’s no secret that bullying is an issue with today’s kids. What’s surprising is that no one’s talking about the largest demographic of children who experience abuse and hate speech by their peers — children with special needs. They’re two to three times more likely to be victims of teasing, name calling, physical abuse and online attacks. That’s 50 to 80 percent of special needs children being bullied. Unfortunately, bystanders often stay quiet. Up to 85 percent watch and, even if they want to, don’t say or do anything to make it stop.

Lauren Potter

Potter knows how it feels. She’s been teased and made the butt of the joke because of her differences with Down Syndrome. In a recent interview to launch the “Disable Bullying” campaign and talk about the “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” report, Potter shared a bullying incident about boys following and taunting her at school.

“It was real hard at first, and the boys were too immature,” Potter said. “I would tell them, ‘You know what? It’s time to grow up.’”

“It’s hard as a parent when your child comes home every single day after school and they’re upset and they’re crying and they don’t want to go back to school because of the mean things that children are doing,” Robin Sinkhorn, Potter’s mom, said. “Lauren’s handled that situation better than I ever could’ve done.

“Lauren found her voice and that’s what we’re doing here today and through this campaign is we’re helping children with disabilities to find their voice.”

Helping to launch the “Disable Bullying” campaign are Sheryl Young (CEO, Community Gate and AbilityPath.org), Anthony Shriver (Founder and Chairman, Best Buddies International), Timothy Shriver (Chairman and CEO, Special Olympics), Jackie Speier (U.S. Representative, CA-12) and Tom Torlakson (California State Superintendent of Public Instruction).

One of the obstacles is the mindset of adults. Often they don’t take the bullying seriously, possess a get-over-it mentality, or don’t believe these children should be mainstreamed in general education classrooms.

Adults don’t take it seriously? It’s difficult to believe at first but …

When was the last time you heard the word “retard?” (Or the word “‘tard?”) Was it uttered from your lips in jest to a friend or co-worker? Did you hear it as a putdown on a TV sitcom or radio show? Was it mumbled by a child to a sibling, but you thought ‘meh, it’s not really a bad word’ and let it slide? Did you think about it twice at all?

If you didn’t, you’re not alone.

"Walk A Mile In Their Shoes" report testimonial -- Kevin Kaneta was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. During an interview with a Denver, Colo. television station, he shared his experience as a bullying target since the third grade, and each year, it gets worse. (Read more of Kevin

Timothy Shriver (Chairman and CEO, Special Olympics) pointed out the silent epidemic is silent because it’s a problem most people don’t recognize. The Special Olympics and Best Buddies, with many other organizations, launched a campaign to sensitize the public to the language of humiliation and degradation but struggled in their efforts to educate that the word ‘retard’ is hate speech.

“What we found was that people said, we don’t think we have a problem. We don’t see why this is hate speech. We don’t understand why you want to change the way we refer to one another when we’re trying to make fun of people,” Shriver said. “It’s awakened in us all, I think within this movement, to the realization that we have a civil rights movement that we’re struggling to create here. People don’t understand we have a whole history of injustice that’s gone over centuries of injustice.

“The humiliation, the institutionalization, and all sorts of horrible crimes perpetrated in the name of care against people with special needs. So, we’re trying to awaken the country now, to the idea that there is an epidemic and that it has to stop.”

Bullying doesn’t stop at a word, but it’s a start.

Even now, Lauren Potter isn’t immune to taunts and meanness from others. Recently, her Facebook fan page was attacked by cyberbullies who posted awful pictures and comments.

“It was almost a campaign of negative, using the “R” word, using terrible posters. In just a few hours her Facebook was covered with these things,” Sinkhorn said. “Now, I didn’t tell her (Potter) until we were at the end of it. I had cleared most of it up and some of her fans had come to her rescue.

“Lauren posted a response saying to her fans, ‘Thank you for having my back.’ Within a couple of minutes, at least a couple of hours, we had worldwide response from people in New Zealand, Australia, France, England, United States, everywhere saying, ‘we got your back.’ England has your back. New Zealand has your back. Australia has your back.

“So there are good people out there than want to take up this fight. And I hate to say fight, but that’s basically what it is.”

So a fight it is. A civil rights fight. Are you up for the challenge?

Hey, Lauren Potter, this is Genevieve Hinson from MotherofConfusion.com. Just wanted you to know, I got your back.

Now world, it’s your turn. Let Lauren Potter and children with special needs know, you got their back.

“Disable Bullying” Extras!

“Walk A Mile In Their Shoes” Testimonial
Kevin Kaneta : Bullied since the third grade

Kevin Kaneta was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. During an interview with a Denver, Colo. television station, he shared his experience as a bullying target since the third grade, and each year, it gets worse.

“They go after me because they see me as a vulnerable target,” said Kevin. Kevin walks slower than most children and drags his feet because of his disability. His mother, Tyleen Wilson, fears for his safety each day at school. “I worry if he’ll come home today,” said Wilson. “What if they really hurt him?”

Wilson stated she’s notified school administrators, as well as the Colorado media, that her son’s classmates have tripped and pinned him down and force fed dog food into his mouth. In late December 2010, Wilson noticed a Facebook picture that enraged her. It was of Kevin with his hooded sweatshirt tied tightly around his face.

“I thought it was a joke,” she said. “I prodded Kevin to tell me about the picture.” Kevin’s classmates had tied his sweatshirt tightly around his face and forced him to walk around the playground, barely able to see through the small opening. After taunting and teasing, the kids ripped the sweatshirt off, cutting his eyelids.

Another picture showed Kevin against the playground fence trying to break free. Both arms of the sweatshirt were tied to the fence post. “They just watched me struggle to get out,” said Kevin. “They put it on Facebook and now everyone knows it.”

There are many more personal stories in the full “Walk A Mile In Their Shoes” report.

What can you do?

Do you have Lauren Potter’s back? Like her fan page on Facebook and let her know.

Are you taking up the cause to get the backs of children with special needs? Let everyone know. Blog, tweet, write and talk about this campaign. Take a stand, pledge to Spread the Word to End the Word. Share the “Walk a Mile in their Shoes” report (.pdf), post Lauren’s video with her mom and visit AbilityPath.org to find toolboxes for parents, learn about the types and ways children are bullied, and find more ways to get help. Also, if you see someone in need, let them know you got their back and about AbilityPath.org.

Need help but aren’t getting it?

Call the Civil Rights Bureau at 1-800-926-0648. Parents can register complaints if they feel their child’s school hasn’t been responsive. A Department of Education specialist can talk to officials at the school and help work out a strategy for dealing with the culture or particular individuals that are creating the problem.

Did you know?
FX is the only TV network that doesn’t allow the word ‘retard’ used as a joke. It’s only one of three words banned by the network.

“Good Luck Charlie”: Leigh-Allyn Baker shares her perspective on the “terrible twos”

Genevieve Hinson — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:02:30 +0000

GOOD LUCK CHARLIE - Leigh-Allyn Baker stars as Amy Duncan on Disney Channel's "Good Luck Charlie." (DISNEY CHANNEL/CRAIG SJODIN)

Going back to work after baby is challenging – beyond the ache of separation, relief to have some adult conversation and awkward walk to that “one” room shouldering a Medela Pump In Style are the logistics of the family schedule.

Who has the kids on what day? When is that music recital? Can the caretakers (whether family or daycare) be trusted … like really trusted to care for the baby? Last year, actress Leigh-Allyn Baker juggled similar quandaries starring as Amy Duncan, returning-to-work nurse, wife and mom to two teens, a tween and a baby girl on Disney Channel’s “Good Luck Charlie.”

While Baker’s character, Amy Duncan, and her husband strive to be “perfect” parents there’s always that complication or mishap. Believe me, June Cleaver wouldn’t stand a chance in the this household. Thankfully, there’s help. Amy’s husband, Bob (Eric Allen Kramer), teens, PJ (Jason Dolley) and Teddy (Bridgit Mendler), and even the tween, Gabe (Bradley Steven Perry), do their part to manage the household and take care of the baby, Charlie (Mia Talerico). Of course, that’s where the really complicated trials and tribulations for this family of six start — but they work through it.

GOOD LUCK CHARLIE - Mia Talerico stars as Charlie on Disney Channel's "Good Luck Charlie." (DISNEY CHANNEL)

The storyline of “Good Luck Charlie,” in part, mimics the Baker’s life. She’s also balancing a career and motherhood. In season two (premieres on Disney Channel, Sunday, Feb 20 at 8pm ET/PT) her on-screen daughter turns two. Off the set it’s two-year-old Griffin who calls her mom. So it’s potty-training, birthday parties and the “terrible twos” both at home and at work.

Are the terrible twos as bad as they say? For Baker’s sake, let’s hope not. She’s getting a double-dose.

“It’s all perspective. You can look at their behavior as defiance or you can look at it as new-found independence. Defiance is annoying and frustrating. New-found independence can be challenging, but it is really exciting and fun at the same time,” she told Mother of Confusion.

“As your child grows and changes, so must the parent. They force us to learn different ways to communicate, negotiate and exercise patience.”

As a mom and a TV-mom, Baker has also observed some differences between boys and girls.

“I have found the girls to be very complex … advanced talkers and thinkers … with very strong opinions. Girls manage to be so sweet, savvy, fun and bossy at the same time.

“Boys on the other hand seem to be very physically active. With very strong ties to Mommy. They’re like little love bugs with no off button.”

Speaking of little love bugs, Baker’s son, Griffin, recently celebrated his second birthday.

“For Griffin’s birthday I spent way too much money on a cake that had edible characters of Rosie and Thomas. Griffin and I talked about that cake for weeks. He was so excited to see it,” Baker said.

“When the day of the party came, all he wanted to do was hold them. They melted all over him and everyone else until nothing was left. So the lesson is… just buy the actual characters and put them on the cake. That way, you can clean them off and keep them as a memento from the party.”

Of course, it wasn’t that long ago Baker was a mom-to-be sorting through parenting advice and pondering the journey to motherhood.

“Everyone says how hard it is to be a parent and that you’re really tired but no one says you can’t wait to get up to feed your child when they cry in the middle of the night. The joy so outweighs the exhaustion.”

GOOD LUCK CHARLIE - Mia Talerico stars as Charlie on Disney Channel's "Good Luck Charlie." (DISNEY CHANNEL)

“Good Luck Charlie” Extras!

TV-G | Sunday (8 pm ET/PT)

Cross-Over alert

Season two will feature the first cross-over episode of “Good Luck Charlie.” The storyline features the cast of Disney Channel’s newest comedy “Shake It Up.”

“Good Luck Charlie” movie

In March, the “Good Luck Charlie” family will begin production on holiday-themed Disney Channel movie. In the movie, responsible big sister Teddy makes a snap decision that separates the family. She goes through her own version of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” to get her family to Palm Springs in time for Christmas. The movie is scheduled to premiere in winter 2011.

Season 1 “Good Luck Charlie”

If you missed season one of “Good Luck Charlie,” or want to watch it again, Netflix has it available in DVD and streaming.

Related Links

Good Luck Charlie online

The Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac: Anita Silvey’s daily love letter to a book

Genevieve Hinson — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:11:23 +0000

Choosing books to read with your kids has just gotten easier. In January, Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac (http://childrensbookalmanac.com) launched with daily recommendations by children’s book expert, Anita Silvey.

Now, it may feel like you’ve read a thousand kid’s books but Silvey’s actually read 130,000 more. It’s obvious from her daily posts that she has love and respect for great literature. Her recommendations are intriguing, thought-provoking and brilliant. Included with each day’s selection is the story behind the book or author. Make sure to read the daily facts – like the recently noted Susan B. Anthony’s birthday with the suggestion for “Fighter for Women’s Rights” by Deborah Hopkinson.

The website is set up so the homepage shows that day’s selection and photo, a sidebar of facts related to the date, and more book suggestions related to the author or subject. You can thumb through the site page-by-page or click on ‘find a book’ in the left rail and browse by age group, subject, type of book, author or illustrator, or by the date featured.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Anita Silvey about this intriguing project.

Mother of Confusion: The Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac is described as a daily love letter to a book or author. How did you become involved in this project?

Anita Silvey

Anita Silvey: I had submitted a proposal to Simon Boughton of Roaring Brook– a very ambitious project about children’s books. At the same time Simon was considering publishing an Almanac for children. It occurred to him that he could combine the two proposals and give parents and teachers a useful tool. In discussions with his staff, they decided it would be wonderful for me to post the essays on line,as I wrote them. That way I could get back responses from readers about what was helpful, what they needed, and what else should be included. The entire proposal was suggested to me over dinner; I believe I waited a nanosecond before saying, “You bet!”

MOC: This is a huge project. Have you already selected the books or are you writing the recommendations throughout the year?

AS: When I began the project, I drew up a master plan for the year. But that outline changes constantly. I develop a month at a time; at that point I make final selections and write the essays. I’m trying to keep a balance of age ranges and kinds of books – and consider the needs of all types of readers.

MOC: I love that you chose David Klass’s “Stuck on Earth” to coordinate with Extraterrestrial Culture Day – both new to me. There are so many incredible and memorable children’s books, how do you decide which ones to include in the almanac and which date to publish them?

AS: Sometimes a day seems too perfect to pass up –Extraterrestrial Culture Day, for instance — and then I find a book that I really love to fit it. Coming up we have Talk like Shakespeare Day, the Tooth Fairy Day, or Talk like a Pirate Day. For Tooth Fairy Day I read about 50 books and chose the two best.

I include superb new titles that may well be unknown to my readers but much more frequently focus on 20th century classics. When I feature the classics, I sometimes write about an author’s birthday. Walter de la Mare once said that “only the rarest kind of best in anything can be good enough for the young.” I am always hunting for that rarest kind of best.

MOC: The behind-the-scenes stories about the books are fantastic. What’s your most startling or amazing discovery about a book?

AS: Every book tells a story, but every book has a story behind it. In my research I am always hunting for the story behind the book. When I can, I try to reveal something about the creative process or the author’s struggle to get published. Dr. Seuss was turned down by 24-27 publishers; Robert McCloskey kept ducks in his bathtub to write “Make Way for Ducklings.” Intriguing details like these often make these authors and illustrators seem human to both children and adults.

MOC: What elements do you look for in a book that make it more than just a good read, but distinguish it as a future classic?

AS: All of our classics have some of the same ingredients: an intriguing story and theme, characters young people want to know, an underlying message or concern, a lightness of touch, originality, and artistic integrity. These are the books that linger in reader’s minds. Classics often are based in a “love of perfection” – the author went to extreme lengths to get everything right.

MOC: Speaking of the classics, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was recently in the news over the edit in the newest edition to make it more politically correct. Often there’s a buzz about a book and whether it’s appropriate for young readers. How do you deal with the controversies surrounding some of these titles?

AS: Almost every classic has generated some type of controversy in its life. For Banned Books Week, for instance, I am going to talk about some of our most challenged books and why I recommend these titles. I think any book that makes a child think and respond to the world will upset someone. But my question always is, “How well did the author do what he or she set out to do?” I then am honest in my comments, so that a parent or teacher can decide what works for them.

MOC: It’s a tradition of mine to include a children’s book (such as “On the Day You Were Born” by Debra Frazier) in baby shower gifts. Often it’s the baby’s first book and prompts conversation at the gathering about favorite childhood books. What five books do you think every parent-to-be should put on the wish-list for their child’s library?

AS: I, too, like the Frazier. I would always give “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown, a Max book by Rosemary Wells, “Brown Bear,Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin, some volume of nursery rhymes like “This Little Piggy” by Jane Yolen, and one of the repetitive text books like “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen. But I strongly believe that every child should have exposure to hundreds of books, so that they can find their own favorites. Hence I write about a different book each day.

MOC: What’s happens when the almanac is finished? Are there plans to continue into 2012?

AS: When this year is done, I will start on the next one. But I haven’t solved those problems yet. I am just focusing every day on trying to write an interesting, engaging essay that will excite readers about a book and make them want to share it with the children in their lives.

Related Links:

– Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac

– Anita Silvey’s website

– Books written by Anita Silvey

Seven-year-old piano prodigy featured on ‘Little Einsteins’

Genevieve Hinson — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:50:31 +0000

Disney Channel/Heidi Gutman

Ever wonder what you’re child’s talents will be?

Ethan Bortnick’s mom didn’t have to wonder for long. When Ethan was 3, he taught himself how to play the piano using the “Baby Einsteins” DVDs. He’s been composing his own music since he was 5 and now, at age 7, has memorized over 200 songs.

Ethan’s been seen on Oprah, Ellen and Jay Leno – just to name a few. He’s shared the stage with Beyonce Knowles, Gloria Gaynor and Nelly Furtado.

You, and the kids, can listen to this child prodigy’s latest work on “Little Einsteins” (Craig’s all-time favorite TV show) this Saturday at 8 a.m. ET/PT.

Want to know more about Ethan? Read the interview with him below.

Q: When did you begin playing the piano?

A: I started about when I was 3 or 4 years old. But my parents only gave me lessons when I was 4.

Q: Do you have favorite songs or composers?

A : I love all types of music. When I started, I love Mozart, but now I love all types. I am now playing John Lennon, Billy Joel, Elton John, and still doing a lot of jazz and classical music. If it’s fun, it’s fun!

Q: How much time do you spend practicing?

A: Sometimes I don’t practice at all and sometime I get excited and spend 2 or 3 hours on a piano. It depends what I feel like doing.

Q: What do you enjoy about playing music?

A: I love the sound of the music. I love how it makes me feel and how it makes the people that listen feel. I don’t know… it’s just fun! Really fun!

Q: Have any advice to other children learning to play an instrument?

A: Yes! Have fun and don’t do it unless you will have fun. Also, you should try different instruments to see which one YOU love.

Q: Who would you most like to perform with?

A: I have performed or opened for many great musicians like Patti Labelle, Gloria Gaynor, Nelly Furtado, Natalie Cole and many more.. It would be cool to perform with Mozart, but he is not here anymore… It would be great to perform with as many people as possible.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

A: I love playing with my Brother and my cousins. I love drawing and I also love to swim. I love to collect little toy animals (I have thousands) and I love going to the zoo.

Q: Do you have siblings? Pets?

A: Yes, I have a 2-year-old Brother – Nathan. I don’t have any pets – YET!

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: I want to be a ZooKeeper and play music for all the animals.

Q: Who’s your favorite character on “Little Einsteins?”

A: I love them all. Each one has something cool. Rocket ship is cool too!!

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