Caught in the act

By Beth Konney

Last Saturday Laurie Berkner headed north from her home in Manhattan, to the Dover High School auditorium.Her husband, bassist Brian Mueller, and keyboardist Susie Lampert joined Berkner and her acoustic guitar.

For the past seven years, Berkner’s performed at festivals across the country and in Canada. This is the third year she’s been hired to take part in the annual Fall Family Concert Series for The Children’s Museum of Portsmouth.

“I always hope that they’ll ask us back,” she said by phone before the show. “I love doing this show. It’s a space where everyone’s come for the music; an intimate feel for lots of people,” she said. “I’ll be able to play where I can really con-nect with (the) kids.”

During her 50-minute concert, she sang a mix of songs picked from all four of her albums, including her most recent compact disc, “Under A Shady Tree,” released in late 2002.

“I’m Gonna Catch You” is one song from the album.

“I was walking down the street and there was a dad running after his daughter. She was screaming and he was saying ‘I’m gonna get you!’” She worked this playful phrase into the song’s chorus, she said. The lyrics and rhyme change with each verse and also teach the days of the week: “I jumped into Monday and had an ice-cream sundae,” she sings.

Her song ideas stem from an evoked memory or something she can connect to and see, she said. She titled “Victor Vito,” a popular call and response song, after the names of two of her accountants.

“Each song is its own artistic work. It’s just whatever I feel like.”

“At a preschool age, they want to learn and explore — they’re learn-ing who they are,” she said. “It’s great to write songs that help them move their bodies in different ways like running and jumping ...

“If the music feels natural to them, then it’s always a part of their lives; something they have for them-selves.”

She’s not only singing for small ears.

“You see many adults singing along happily,” said Jane Bard of Kittery, Maine, the director of edu-cation at the Children’s Museum. She and her two children, an 18-month-old and a 5-year-old, have seen Berkner live before.

Her songs are lightly woven with lessons helpful for both children and parents, Bard said. The song “Clean It Up,” adds a little excitement for kids to pitch in, and “I’m Not Perfect,” gives kids a boost of confi-dence.

“It’s fun to have on in the back-ground,” she said. “She’s one chil-dren’s artist me and my husband don’t mind listening to over and over again in a long car trip.”

At 34 years old, music has always been part of Berkner’s life. She sang in choirs, played in bands and taught preschool music lessons at Rockefeller University in Manhat-tan. As a music teacher, she discov-ered a natural connection with chil-dren, and her niche in the music industry.

Performing in front of kids and adults keeps her honest and real, which makes her music appealing to all ages, she said.

“It’s much more important to stay Laurie Berkner on stage instead of being a children’s performer. I think that’s what works.”

Berkner’s CDs and videos are available at national retailers, online outlets and at www.laurieberkner.com. They can also be purchased locally at The Children’s Museum’s gift shop. Look for her illustrated version of “Victor Vito,” which includes a CD.

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