Laurie Berkner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laurie Berkner
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Berkner in 2011
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| Born | March 15, 1969 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
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| Nationality | American |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
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Laurie Berkner (born March 15, 1969) is a French-American musician and singer. She is famous for her work as a children's music artist and teacher. She plays guitar and sings in The Laurie Berkner Band. Other band members include Susie Lampert (pianist), Winston Roye (bassist), and Bob Golden (drummer). Laurie is a very popular artist in the kindie rock music style.
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About Laurie Berkner
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Laurie grew up in Princeton, New Jersey. She went to Princeton High School. There, she was part of choirs, bands, and musical theater. While studying at Rutgers University, she traveled through Europe. She sang as a choir soloist and played guitar in an orchestra.
After college, Laurie worked as a music counselor at a summer camp. For several years, she was a children's music expert. She worked in day care centers and preschools in New York.
Becoming a Children's Music Star
In 1992, Laurie started her career as a rock musician. She first played in a rock band called Red Onion. Later, she joined an all-female cover band called Lois Lane. Laurie found it hard to write rock songs. But this changed when she started writing music for kids.
She said that writing for children felt very natural. It helped her discover a creative side she didn't know she had. Her first shows as a children's musician were at birthday parties. She would even memorize the children's names to connect with them.
In 1997, Laurie released her first album, Whaddaya Think of That?. It was first available only on cassette. Parents of the children she worked with encouraged her to record. The album included popular songs like "We Are the Dinosaurs" and "I Know a Chicken."
In 1998, Laurie started her own record company, Two Tomatoes Records. She released her second album, Buzz Buzz, which featured songs like "Pig on Her Head." Her album Victor Vito in 1999 made her famous across the country. She appeared on TV shows and won awards.
Laurie's audience grew a lot after she appeared on The Today Show in 2001. Since then, she has performed in famous places. These include Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. She also played at the White House Easter Egg Roll. Laurie even played a free concert in Central Park for Earth Day. Fifteen thousand people came to watch her.
Laurie's music often uses a major key. She calls the tempo "human tempo," which is like the speed of walking. Her song lyrics are often funny and personal.
Laurie's Other Projects
Laurie Berkner has appeared on many TV shows and created other fun projects.
TV Shows and Videos
With her band members, Laurie often appeared on the Noggin TV channel. They made music videos that played between shows. She was also a regular on the show Jack's Big Music Show. Laurie also performed in the 2006 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
In 2009, she was on Ziggy Marley's children's album Family Time. She sang in a song called "Future Man, Future Lady." Her band also performed "My Family" on the Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest.
In March 2013, a new animated musical series for preschoolers started. It was called Sing It, Laurie! on the Sprout TV channel. Laurie provided her voice and wrote new music for the series.
Books and Musicals
Laurie has written two children's books. One is Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco, based on her song Victor Vito. The other is Story of My Feelings. She has also released DVDs like We Are...The Laurie Berkner Band and Party Day!. The We Are...The Laurie Berkner Band DVD has sold over 400,000 copies.
Laurie also wrote the music and lyrics for a musical. It's called "Wanda's Monster The Musical." It started Off-Broadway in 2013.
Online and Audio Projects
In 2018, Laurie created an audio series called Laurie Berkner Song and Story Kitchen.
Starting in March 2020, Laurie began daily "Berkner Breaks" on Facebook Live. These were 30-minute events where she sang songs and read books. She encouraged kids and families to wash hands and social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic. These events helped many families during a difficult time.
Laurie's Family Life
Laurie Berkner is married to Brian Mueller. Brian used to be the bassist in the Laurie Berkner Band. They have a daughter named Lucy.
Laurie's Music Albums
Here are some of Laurie Berkner's popular albums:
- Whaddaya Think of That? (1997)
- Buzz Buzz (1998)
- Victor Vito (1999)
- Under A Shady Tree (2002)
- We Are...The Laurie Berkner Band (2006)
- Rocketship Run (2008)
- The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band (2010)
- A Laurie Berkner Christmas (2012)
- Superhero (2016)
- Waiting for the Elevator (2019)
- Let's Go (2021)
Laurie's TV Appearances
- Jack's Big Music Show (2005–2007) – She was a regular performer.
- Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest (2010) – She performed as herself.
- Sing it Laurie (2013) – She starred as herself.
- South Park Pajama Day (2022) – One of her songs was featured.
