We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dana a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

During the summer of 2022, I was invited by the One Little Finger Foundation to contribute a song for a compilation album titled, “Arise Together”. I was immediately moved by the intention and mission of the project, which is to raise awareness and funds to support children with special needs around the world, especially those living in and from Ukraine. A few of the songs on the album feature a Ukrainian children’s choir, who courageously recorded their parts while enduring the terrifying and heartbreaking turmoil of war. Thinking of those children, and so many kids who struggle with fear and physical and emotional challenges inspired me to write “I Am Brave”. I am very honored that the song opens the “Arise Together” album, and grateful that it is currently nominated as Best Children’s Song in the Hollywood Independent Music Awards (HIMA). I am proud to have written a new song, “Hold On to Hope” for the upcoming follow up recording, “Arise Together: Children of the World” which will be released later this summer. It means a great deal to me to be part of these projects that promote peace, inclusion and diversity.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began my career as a musical theater actress and then played and sang in piano bars and cabarets in New York City. I had been writing and recording adult songs for several years when I was inspired by the birth of my first nephew to write some lullabies. What started out as a lasting gift for him evolved into my first award-winning recording for families, “Dana’s Best Lullabies & Morning Songs”. I found it completely gratifying to write and perform music for children and soon traded my nights of playing in smoky bars for jumping and singing to (and with!) smiling little faces in the sunshine. I am so grateful to have found such a rewarding, joyful niche and love creating content for young children.

Over the past two decades, I have released 7 albums for children and am honored that they have won 27 National awards and lots of lovely critical acclaim. Most importantly, I am thrilled that my music, videos and live shows have won so many little fans across the United States and beyond. Knowing that kids are listening to and learning from my songs is the best reward.

Right now, I am excited about my newest single and video, “Bring On Summer”, which is an upbeat pop celebration of the sunny season. After a particularly dreary, long winter in my home state of Washington, I found myself longing for the warmth and sunshine of summer. While out running in my raincoat on yet another blustery April day, I couldn’t get the words “bring on summer” out of my head and was inspired to write the song. I hope it will inspire families to get outside and enjoy all the fun activities that summertime brings while creating some precious memories together.

You can listen on iTunes here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/bring-on-summer-single/1686633316
Or Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/55C0HX9gMdNOYnyqMQbXip?si=ufKM0GvYRWa9cieE24nUcQ
And watch the music video here:
https://youtu.be/FAoiYLNv9LY

Families can find all my music, videos and podcasts at my website: https://danasmusicplayground.com

My music videos and Dana’s Music Playground interactive series stream on YouTube and the family streaming platforms, Kidoodle and Sensical. (Search for the Dana’s Music Playground channel on each.) I hope kiddos will come sing, learn and play with me at any one of those!

I invite young families to listen to my Dana’s Music Playground “little kiddo” radio show which airs every weekday on http://www.jump1053.com at 1PM ET. It will soon be available on the new KIDS.RADIO app as well! My “magic music box”, Jingle and I spin some awesome family music and have fun with a new theme each week. The podcast is available any time at my website.

I hope families with young kiddos will follow my Facebook Dana’s Music Playground page to keep up with all the fun stuff I have going on!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

From the start, my goal has been to subtly educate young children while entertaining them. I have always felt it is important to respect little ears and create well-produced, high-quality recordings. And, of course, to keep in mind that the songs need to be adult friendly as well, since the parents end up listening to them over and over too! I make a concerted effort to introduce kids to multiple genres of music. I think it’s wonderful for them to discover genres like jazz, reggae, and blues in addition to the traditional folk or pop that were the norm when I first started creating music for children. On my latest album, “A Place to Call Home”, I was thrilled that my bossa nova piece, “Rainforest Symphony” ended up being a big favorite with the kids.

When I first started performing for live audiences of children, I learned right away how vital it is to get them involved in each song in some way. Incorporating opportunities for movement, call and response, or just an accessible hook for children to sing along with really helps engage young listeners/viewers.

When creating my Dana’s Music Playground video series and podcast/radio shows, I have kept all of this in mind. I use lots of interactive elements to keep the kids interested and having fun with the early childhood learning concepts that we focus on in each episode.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

To me, there is nothing more gratifying than seeing kids literally “jump” into my songs and discover the joy of music. Hearing their laughter, watching them learn and respond with enthusiasm to my performances makes all of the hard work and preparation worth it. I have the best job in the world.     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://danasmusicplayground.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danasmusicplayground/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danasmusicplayground
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DanasMusicPlayground
• Other: Kidoodle: https://kidoodle.tv/923/danas-music-playground
• Sensical: https://sensical.tv/main/home/showdetails/SE0000050939

Image Credits
Nav Deol, Jack Cohenour