The halls of Cohen Children’s Medical Center were alive with the sound of music – thanks to Laurie Berkner, dubbed “the queen of kids’ music” by People Magazine.
The creator of such children’s hits as “I’m A Mess,” and “Clean It Up,” Berkner has been a professional musician since 1992; her success as a children’s recording artist grew from her profound belief that young people must be treated with dignity, compassion and humor. In fact, the more she started working on material for youngsters, the more she realized that it afforded a creative path that she had never considered before.
Berkner is considered to be the artist who launched the progressive “kindie rock” movement – less saccharine, more rocking music that is not dumbed down for children. Of equal importance is the fact that her obvious respect for children and her desire to communicate has made her a favorite with parents, too.
This was clearly demonstrated during her concert at Cohen Children’s, when patients clapped, sang, jumped and rocked out to their favorites.
Speaking for the group, one young fan stated, “I think her music is really good.”
