I have also learned the craft of creating animated music videos arising out of my songs. I’m thrilled to say that I’ve had great success with those music videos on my YouTube Channel, (over 35 music videos), and I garnered half a million views since October 2022. I’m having so much fun creating the videos!

What was so exciting is that my animated music videos were nominated by Funky Kids Radio Global Entertainment Awards in 2022 and 2023 for Best Children’s Album, Best Artist, Best Song, and Best Animated Music Video! It doesn’t pay the bills, but it was sure a good boost as now I’ve been asked by a Canadian music company to put up for sale online my animated music videos as themes: Story Songs, Adventure Songs, Activity Songs, Quiet Time Songs, Sing-Along Songs, Feeling Songs and Imagination Songs.

Also, I delved into Instagram, Facebook and Threads and my videos and pictures are now shown on those sites! I’ve met some interesting people in all those interactions. In addition, a new website was created in 2022 for me, but now it’s updated (with the help of a talented assistant) to a jazzier version. Within the year, I plan to offer workshops for parents and teachers through my website for “Sparking Creativity in Children Through Music and the Arts.”

 For many years, I had many of my unpublished songs sitting in my filing cabinet, and I was burning to record them! So, last November, I applied for an Ontario Arts Council (OAC) grant to record another album. It took many weeks to get the grant just right, and then I waited patiently – almost five months to hear results. And lo and behold, I just received notice that I have been awarded a grant from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario.

Soon, I’ll be in the studio to record, and I’m practising vocal scales to get my singing voice in shape again! My new songs on the upcoming album will be Veggie Power, Junk Food Blues, The Recycling Rap, I am Mother Earth, My Imaginary Friend, and Be Proud of Who You Are. To add to the fun, four other songs will be included that I wrote and recorded years ago that are derived from the Jim and Rosalie albums: Feel So Good, Let’s Pretend, Crazy Beat, and I Wish My Brother Liked Me.

I have my work cut out for me, but I’m excited to get the album done, mastered and up online! I found a skilled recording engineer who has a home studio in Toronto, and he’ll bring in musicians to make the music sweet – a guitarist, pianist, flautist, and drummer to be on the scene. In the OAC grant, a promoter was permitted, who will be working to get my music and brand to TV, newspapers, radio, SiriusXM, digital marketing and more! Wish me luck; I’ll keep you posted!