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Colibri

Colibrí, Spanish for hummingbird, is a duo that presents lively, interactive musical journeys through Latin America. Using an exciting array of traditional folk instruments, Lichi Fuentes and Alisa Peres create a bridge linking children in the U.S. with those in the Spanish-speaking world.

Their extensive repertoire includes selections from many different countries - from a Bolivian festival song about a mother dancing with her baby to a Chilean song about worms, as well as popular Mexican singalongs.

Children leave Colibrí concerts tapping a new rhythm, remembering some words in Spanish, or wondering what life might be like in faraway places.

About Us

Named “Woman of Note” by the San Francisco Women’s Foundation, Chilean-born Lichi Fuentes was the founder and lead vocalist of the group Altazor. Currently musical director of the La Peña Cultural Center community chorus and member of the Cuban band QBA, she also performs her own repertoire, having released a solo album Quien Soy

Who I Am in 2003. In addition, Lichi conducts choirs and music classes in elementary schools. She has been performing with Colibrí since 1993.

Alisa Peres co-founded Colibrí in 1989. She also plays with the Andean ensemble PachaSiku, and has performed with musical groups in Ecuador and Peru. Alisa is a Spanish and music teacher in several elementary and preschools. In addition, she directed the weekly Amiguitos children’s performance series at La Peña Cultural Center for seven years.

Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at susan@connectingauthors.com or call 1-866-528-9269.

Jody Dreher

Jody Dreher is the singer/songwriter talent behind SING YOUR WAY TO SPANISH, purchased by Broward County Schools, (the 5th Largest School District in the United States) for every elementary school Spanish teacher. SING YOUR WAY TO SPANISH WITH JODY is a bilingual Spanish/English language performance and CD that will enable your child (and YOU!!!) to learn Spanish or learn English simply by listening. Jody has been learning and teaching languages for over 20 years. For the past seven years, she has focused entirely on teaching children, combining her love of Spanish, music, and children to create irresistible games and songs. Her CD is a Parents’ Choice Approved Award Winner for 2006.

"Jody's show is great. A wonderful introduction to learning a new language! Jody herself is a dynamic performer and her presentation is lively, colorful and diverse. Jody has a well planned show and the time length was perfect for our group."

-- Henrietta Berns, in charge of children's story time

Borders Books, Plantation, Florida

"Excellent! I would like to see (this show) at the summer library program for ALL branches."

-- Denise Mason

Broward County Libraries, Florida

“AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM aimed at helping youngsters become bilingual. The performance is high-energy and geared directly to her young audience. Playing her guitar, Dreher sings about things young minds can relate to. She use props...and encourages everyone to join in.”

The Miami Herald, March 13, 2005

Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at susan@connectingauthors.com or call 1-866-528-9269.

Ira Scott Levin

IRA SCOTT LEVIN, a.k.a. "Uncle Eye" appeared as the featured singing storyteller at the end of Jakers on PBS singing RUBY THE RESCUE COW. Ira recently released HYPERACTIVE TALKING COWS with the classic single, POLLO ELASTICO. Uncle Eyes earned a coveted spot on the recommended performers list for public libraries throughout the Bay Area.

"Everyone needs this music.” -Larry Kelp, KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley

"One of Ira’s greatest attributes is his big heart. He not only loves working with children but he is devoted to his community and making it a better place."

-Karen Einbinder, Youth & Family Dept Director San Francisco JCC

"Uncle Eye sings wonderful original and very funny songs for kids and their parents and grandparents. He is a great musician, a great comic in timing, and a lovely person relating magically to kids." - George Oram/Julia Morgan Theater Berkeley

“Ira Levin is a multi-talented performer that children of all ages can enjoy. His two appearances on my PBS program, Jakers: The Adventures of Piggley Winks, were a resounding success. His music is catchy, clever and singable. The kids in our studio audience went wild for his hit song, “Ruby the Rescue Cow.” I look forward to working with Uncle Eye again.” Larry Swerdlove Producer/Director

Singer-songwriter, pianist and music teacher, JULIA BORDENARO LEVIN has been performing solo throughout the Bay Area for the past four years. She established a strong career before leaving Iowa and continues to make waves on the West Coast.

She has thrice been awarded "Best Song," and featured for "Best Performance" by West Coast Songwriters. In addition to Vocolot, she performs in a harmonious duet with her husband, Ira Scott Levin. Julia is soulful singer with a strong connection to children--having extensive experience as a classroom music teacher.

Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at susan@connectingauthors.com or call 1-866-528-9269.

Kathy Z. Price

Kathy Z. Price is a musican/storyteller and the award-winning poet/ author of The Bourbon Street Musicians. The Bourbon Street Musicians,a poetic and blues-y re-telling of The Bremen Town Musicians,received a New York Times Book Review, a starred review from American Library Association Booklist and is a 2003 Notable Book from the National Council of Teachers of English. The Bourbon Street Musicians is listed on California's Early Literacy Recommended Reading List for Third Grade; Chicago’s Recommended Reading for Third Grade and is included in The Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2003 by Bank Street College. Kathy Z Price has won several awards for her poetry and is the recipient of a 2005 New York Foundation of the Arts Fellowship in Poetry.

Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at susan@connectingauthors.com or call 1-866-528-9269.

Suni Paz

Suni Paz, "A Bridge Between Cultures," has recorded and been published extensively. Singing in English and Spanish, she has performed her children's music and folk music for years, thrilling audiences of all ages on stage, radio, and television all over the world.

Among the myriad of concert halls she has graced are the famed Bottom Line in New York(along side performers such as: Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Don Maclean, Richie Havens, and the late folk icon Phil Ochs)and Madison Square Garden.She has been part of some of the most important folk music festivals of our time. Her unique songs inspire positive ideas, the strength of the human spirit, and a caring world view.

Suni Paz is an upbeat, energetic performer- full of love and life. Her songs have something to say to anyone looking for content, culture, or just pure joy. She uses folk music, children's music and popular rhythms fromall of Latin America, as well as other parts of the globe, bringing a natural earth-bound warmth to any event.

She is involved in an ongoing collaboration with award-winning writer and poet Alma Flor Ada, setting her lyrics to music. Her expertise also encompasses voice-overs for radio and television, transcription of songs from English and French into Spanish, and advertising.

With six children's music and folk music albums for Smithsonian Folkways, four children's music collections for Santillana, more than 200 songs for Del Sol, 36 songs for Harcourt-Brace, 36 songs for Mimosa, 18 songs for Scholastic, and more, Suni is well established as a prolific writer of inventive, catchy folk music melodies and thoughtful lyrics that people love to sing, learn, and dance to.

"We loved Suni! She was warm with the students and teachers, talented, professional, entertaining and she made our Latino families feel so comfortable and accepted. The evening celebration was just that – a celebration of bilingualism and she was like the frosting on the cake after the classroom meetings with parents. All was upbeat and positive. "

Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at susan@connectingauthors.com or call 1-866-528-9269.

Elaine Serling

Elaine Serling is an ASCAP AWARD-winning singer, songwriter, Jewish educator and children's author Elaine Serling inspires, charms and connects with audiences young and old through her enthusiastic, engaging live and recorded performances. Elaine shines as an entertainer, combining her unique sparkle and spirited vocals with her sheer love of sharing and celebrating Jewish traditions and values. Honored with the prestigious "Jewish Women of the Arts" award for her achievements in Jewish music and education, Elaine's passion for Judaism is palpable and pleases everyone's musical palates when she performs around the country and abroad. Winner of three "Children's Music Web Awards" (2003-2005), look for Elaine's delightful new CD-Single/Children's Book "Bubbie's Baby" as well as her popular "Join the Circle" CD and "Sing and Celebrate" CD/ Songbook.

"If there were a five-star rating, Elaine Serling would receive a six! Her original songs capture audience's hearts and delight their souls with refreshing melodies, joyous lyrics, and beautiful messages." - Cantor Robert Marinoff

Please contact Connecting Authors for booking information via email at susan@connectingauthors.com or call 1-866-528-9269.