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What to expect at your party
Robert and his daughter.
A birthday performance is unique in that I am especially interested in enchanting one member of the audience, the birthday child. Some birthday children crave my attention and the attention of their friends, and others don't. Before I begin to perform, I've already received an intuitive sense of how extroverted the birthday child feels on this particular day, and also what mood of performance might fit this group of children.
Unless the birthday child has given me clear signals that she/he is shy or emotionally overwhelmed, I will call the child by name often and make frequent eye contact. Obviously, if I get signs that this is uncomfortable for the child, I back off and treat him/her as just another member of the group.
I am often asked when to schedule the 45 minute performance in the course of a 2 hr. party (or more if it is an adult/child party). My preference is to schedule my performance near the beginning. However, I've done performances after children have been hanging out at a party for four hours and still gotten wonderful results. (That's my job.) If you are inviting children at noon or 12:30, it's a good idea to feed them first. I recommend scheduling the performance early because children are less likely to run roughshod through your house if it is clear to them from the beginning what fun is in store. Also, I get them wide-eyed and fresh. Anywhere from 20 minutes to a half-hour after the starting time of your party is ideal. Earlier can be problematic because some children are bound to arrive late.
I do not mind starting a show up to fifteen minutes after we agreed I would start. But if you want the show to begin any time after the 15 minute grace period, I charge $50, and if you want the show more than half an hour later than we agreed, $100. I do this because my schedule of parties in a given day can be tight. Please be assured that I will have enough time to give a full performance at your party as long as we begin on time or up to 15 minutes late.
For children turning 4 and older, parental participation in the show is unimportant. However, if a party is made up of mostly 1's, 2's, and children just turning 3, the participation of the birthday child's parent(s) really contributes to a great experience. The invited parents look to the host parents to assess what level of participation is encouraged. If you are making a toddler party, but know you will be too pressed to participate, don't worry, I am there to give a great performance. But I encourage you to see what it feels like for adults and toddlers alike to be singing and moving together under your roof. It's a good idea to have someone present to sit with each very young child.
My original songs combine creative play and movement: often marching, jumping or dancing. One song mixes a bedtime lullaby with a rock and roll jumping song. In another, the ants go marching into a spider and then must duck and hide. I have many such action song routines and they have been tested by hundreds of parties and shows. Children from three to five adore the puppets, role-playing and musical creative play.
My performance for ones and twos has a good deal in common with a toddler music class, but includes more humor and silliness. My repertoire is vast because I teach and perform for babies and toddlers practically every day. Typically I'll begin with puppets, then lead some rhythmic lap riding with parent and child. After that, it's time to get the children's hands clapping or rubbing to a comic chant usually involving body parts: nose, cheeks, ears, knees, etc. Now, I'll say "Hello" in song and greet everyone. I've developed an ability to remember their names, but name tags are always nice. By this time, I can usually feel that the kids want to get up and move, but if the children are mellow or space is very tight, I'll do some dramatic pieces based around songs. "Itsy Bitsy Spider" is the catalyst for one of these. On our feet, we march, jump, dance, shimmy, or sometimes walk, all to catchy songs specially tailored to these movements. Then there's instrument time and fun with other props, not to mention simple magic tricks that even a two year old enjoys. I'll also bring some rhythm instruments for the children to play. There's an idea of what goes on, but it's not so much "the what" but "the how."
Note: I may bring drums, shakers, woodblocks, rhythm sticks, sleigh bells, tonal bells, scarves, stuffed animals (bunnies, fish), a buddy band, puppets, magical props, more.
Unless the birthday child has given me clear signals that she/he is shy or emotionally overwhelmed, I will call the child by name often and make frequent eye contact. Obviously, if I get signs that this is uncomfortable for the child, I back off and treat him/her as just another member of the group.
I am often asked when to schedule the 45 minute performance in the course of a 2 hr. party (or more if it is an adult/child party). My preference is to schedule my performance near the beginning. However, I've done performances after children have been hanging out at a party for four hours and still gotten wonderful results. (That's my job.) If you are inviting children at noon or 12:30, it's a good idea to feed them first. I recommend scheduling the performance early because children are less likely to run roughshod through your house if it is clear to them from the beginning what fun is in store. Also, I get them wide-eyed and fresh. Anywhere from 20 minutes to a half-hour after the starting time of your party is ideal. Earlier can be problematic because some children are bound to arrive late.
I do not mind starting a show up to fifteen minutes after we agreed I would start. But if you want the show to begin any time after the 15 minute grace period, I charge $50, and if you want the show more than half an hour later than we agreed, $100. I do this because my schedule of parties in a given day can be tight. Please be assured that I will have enough time to give a full performance at your party as long as we begin on time or up to 15 minutes late.
For children turning 4 and older, parental participation in the show is unimportant. However, if a party is made up of mostly 1's, 2's, and children just turning 3, the participation of the birthday child's parent(s) really contributes to a great experience. The invited parents look to the host parents to assess what level of participation is encouraged. If you are making a toddler party, but know you will be too pressed to participate, don't worry, I am there to give a great performance. But I encourage you to see what it feels like for adults and toddlers alike to be singing and moving together under your roof. It's a good idea to have someone present to sit with each very young child.
My original songs combine creative play and movement: often marching, jumping or dancing. One song mixes a bedtime lullaby with a rock and roll jumping song. In another, the ants go marching into a spider and then must duck and hide. I have many such action song routines and they have been tested by hundreds of parties and shows. Children from three to five adore the puppets, role-playing and musical creative play.
My performance for ones and twos has a good deal in common with a toddler music class, but includes more humor and silliness. My repertoire is vast because I teach and perform for babies and toddlers practically every day. Typically I'll begin with puppets, then lead some rhythmic lap riding with parent and child. After that, it's time to get the children's hands clapping or rubbing to a comic chant usually involving body parts: nose, cheeks, ears, knees, etc. Now, I'll say "Hello" in song and greet everyone. I've developed an ability to remember their names, but name tags are always nice. By this time, I can usually feel that the kids want to get up and move, but if the children are mellow or space is very tight, I'll do some dramatic pieces based around songs. "Itsy Bitsy Spider" is the catalyst for one of these. On our feet, we march, jump, dance, shimmy, or sometimes walk, all to catchy songs specially tailored to these movements. Then there's instrument time and fun with other props, not to mention simple magic tricks that even a two year old enjoys. I'll also bring some rhythm instruments for the children to play. There's an idea of what goes on, but it's not so much "the what" but "the how."
Note: I may bring drums, shakers, woodblocks, rhythm sticks, sleigh bells, tonal bells, scarves, stuffed animals (bunnies, fish), a buddy band, puppets, magical props, more.
