Bio
I'm a founder of CMN! I am an early childhood lifer with a doctorate, having taught and counseled young children, and worked with those who care for and educate them since the mid-1970's. I am also a funding member CMN, from the days when it sprung out of the People's Music Network, and I was a member of the band The Nice Jewish Boys, featuring the late CMN legend Bob Blue.
My children's music has been on hiatus in recent years, as my work has focused primarily on coaching and supporting early childhood educators, most recently in a grant-funded project through the University of Virginia that has involved remote coaching of teachers on practices to promote inclusion and healthy social-emotional development.
In the past I've done music with young children in my own classroom, as a visiting musician, and in therapeutic environments (I wish CMN included an 'interest' for this in its listings!). I love songs that help children understand themselves, others, and the world, help them express their feelings (in words, sounds, and movement), and provide comfort, humor, and joy.
I play banjo, fiddle, ukulele, and Appalachian dulcimer, sing (in a tenor range), and write songs and tunes (mostly, but not entirely on social/political issues of relevance to adults; my song Androcles & the Lion is certainly one I sing with children). I'm also an active member of the People's Music Network (PMN), an organization for people engaged in social change music. PMN actually spawned CMN!
