Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jules! . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jules! , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I began composing music for children in 2014 when my first nephew was born. I knew I wanted to create songs for him that would teach about kindness, empathy, how to manage tough emotions, and the importance of accepting others. These are messages not only crucial for kids but also for adults, parents, and caregivers.

Fast forward 10 years, and now I’m releasing some of my favorite songs that have gained popularity through the YouTube show “Ms. Rachel” and have become favorites in many households.

I’m incredibly grateful that my music is finally available on Spotify and other music streaming platforms, promoting less screen time and fostering imagination and creativity, much like how I enjoyed music in my early childhood.

As with most art forms, creating music isn’t something that happens overnight or even in weeks and months; it’s the culmination of years of hard work, learning, practice, and gathering inspiration before reaching the point of creation and release.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of such a talented community. From my producer, Catho, who played a significant role in making these songs the best they can be, to my bandmates Erik and Tim, who have always been there for me and made my musical dreams come to life, and the amazing sound engineers who tirelessly record every idea until the early hours of the morning. And of course, to my supporters and fans who have been with me throughout my journey. It truly takes a community, and I’m fortunate to have such incredible people on my team.

When I was younger, despite writing songs, I was always hesitant to share them with the world due to a lack of confidence in myself and my music. I performed my first show at the age of 16 and recorded an album on my family’s computer, burning CDs and distributing them to all my friends. Throughout my life, I’ve explored numerous hobbies, sports, crafts, and interests, but music has always remained constant. Even during times when I thought I didn’t want to pursue it anymore, music has always found its way back into my life. It’s a part of me, and writing songs is my greatest source of joy and connection to the world, a way through which I genuinely feel I can give back.

Releasing these songs into the world has been a dream of mine for many years. Now, here we are at this moment—the first single, “Pizza Party,” from my album “Jamming with Jules,” marks the beginning of many celebrations! My goal with this album is to share songs that can be cherished by both children and adults alike, songs that are played on repeat in the car or at home, bringing a variety of instruments and musical complexity to music made for kids, while also appealing to the inner child in all of us.

Jules! , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began my career as a music educator in Boston, working with children aged 9-12. In the Summer’s I taught at Berklee College of Music for their Songwriting intensives, tailored for high school students. I’ve always felt a special bond with children, ensuring they felt safe, listened to and seen Witnessing their imagination, courage and curiosity inspires me and gives me hope for our future. My main goal has always been to foster an environment where they can authentically express themselves and be kids.

When I relocated to NYC in 2018, I wanted to keep diving into the world of children’s music so I started seeking out music teaching positions. I responded to a Craigslist ad by Rachel and then quickly became a co-teacher for her in-person pre-k music classes. Rachel wanted to have a wider impact so we recorded our music classes to put on YouTube- little did we know that impact would lead her channel to have over a billion views in just 5 short years. My love of teaching has led me through many different paths. I have now taught in a variety of schools, and camps, including my latest position at a public school as a music teacher for Special Education (SPED) K-6th and 2nd and 3rd graders.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2023, while I was recovering from gender-affirming surgery, I began to experience online harassment regarding my identity as a non-binary and trans educator. It was undeniably a deeply emotional and vulnerable period in my life, during which my private life and identity came under scrutiny. Despite encountering considerable hate, the overwhelming outpouring of love was definitely stronger.

The support I received from my community and fans is something I will forever cherish and carry with me during moments of vulnerability. During this time, I also received numerous press inquiries regarding my identity. Recognizing the significance of this moment for those who saw themselves in me, or desired greater diversity in media representation for their children, I felt empowered to address the situation directly, with kindness and patience, thanks to the unwavering support of my fans.

Throughout this ordeal, I remained focused on the message of supporting children and using this experience as an opportunity to teach kindness and acceptance. I am proud of the ways in which I showed up in that vulnerable moment and I am immensely grateful to those who stood by me during that challenging time.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Representation is a driving force in my creative journey, particularly within children’s media. Growing up, I lacked seeing individuals like myself portrayed in media. It wasn’t until 7th grade that I encountered my first openly queer person, who happened to be my social studies teacher. This encounter was life-changing for me.

Our world is rapidly evolving, and it’s crucial to demonstrate kindness and acceptance to the children in our lives. By fostering environments of safety and acceptance for children, we empower them to embrace their true selves openly. When we prioritize the well-being and acceptance of children, we can initiate meaningful change and dismantle the societal norms that limit our individuality and happiness.

I firmly believe that by genuinely celebrating and supporting each other, we will see positive changes in the world. It is imperative to me that I remain grounded in love and integrity with all of my endeavors and I encourage others to do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jammingwithjules.com
• Instagram: @julessingsforlittles
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@jammingwithjules
• Other: Where to stream my latest single: https://orcd.co/julespizzaparty

Image Credits

Elliott Moe
Erik Grimm
Kelly Garrett
Catherine Parke