On a Positive Note

When acclaimed jazz vocalist Allegra Levy became a parent, she began noticing that the lyrics of classic children’s songs didn’t fit in today’s world of equity and inclusion. As a mother, she was concerned about what messages children were getting from the music and as a musician, she didn’t want to raise her child with songs that had been musically “dumbed down.” So she began writing her own jazz-tinged children’s music with a positive spin on mental well-being. The result is a new album, Songs for You and Me, and in this episode she talks about the importance of experiencing music as a family. In this episode, you'll learn: How the pandemic inspired her to rethink children’s music. Why children need to hear more inclusive music. What parents can do to use music as a tool for learning and creativity. Links and Resources Facebook: @allegralevyjazz Instagram: @allegrameanshappy Twitter: @allegralevyjazz Website: allegralevy.com Watch her music videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkARZY3yGoo Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           

Sav Buist and Katie Larson were shy high school students when a music education presentation brought them together — and changed their future. Ten years later, they front a trio called The Accidentals and have earned glowing album reviews while packing venues with their live shows. But because they’ve never forgotten how that high school presentation changed their lives, they also host and lead workshops across the country to inspire young musicians to find their voice and use music to improve their mental health. In this episode, they talk about how it all came together and how they are changing young lives one song at a time. In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of music education. How music helps us process what’s hard to express. Why it’s so important to give back to others and help them follow their dreams. Links and Resources Facebook: @theaccidentals Instagram: @theaccidentalsmusic Twitter: @moreaccidentals YouTube: @moreaccidentals TikTok: @theaccidentalsmusic Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5JqJWTzD2wSWAp7UmFSP5x Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           

David Fishof is a legendary music producer and founder of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, which invites everyday people to play alongside world-renowned rock stars. David has seen first-hand the incredible power of music and how it transforms people both in their personal lives and their professional aspirations. His amazing story is told in the new documentary, Rock Camp, available now on Amazon, as well as in the book by the same name. In this episode, he shares how Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp began and how he has seen music change the lives of hundreds of people along the way. In this episode, you'll learn: How Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp was inspired by a backstage “fight” between Joe Walsh and Levon Helm. Why music is so powerful in bringing people together. How playing with their rock heroes has inspired campers to pursue new dreams off the stage. Links and Resources Facebook: @RockFantasyCamp Instagram: @rockfantasycamp Twitter: @RockFantasyCamp YouTube: rockcamp TikTok: @rockfantasycamp Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           

The sounds of the season are all around us, but have you thought about why holiday music makes us happy? This week, Paula Felps sits down with Studio Resonate's Sonic Strategy Director Steve Keller to find out how holiday music is tied to nostalgia and what happens in our brains when we listen to it. In this episode, you'll learn: Why even melancholy holiday music can make us feel happier. What role dopamine plays in the memories involving music. How to use holiday music to boost your mood throughout this busy season. Links and Resources Twitter: @audioalchemist LinkedIn: @stevekeller1 Website: www.studioresonate.com And be sure to check out the Happy Holiday Playlist by Live Happy on Spotify! Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           

When you hear Snoop Dogg’s name, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t social emotional learning. But with his latest venture, Doggyland, Snoop has teamed up with producer Claude Brooks and recording artist October London to create a very special learning project. On this episode, Claude sits down with host Paula Felps to explain how Doggyland was created, what they want to accomplish with their songs and how they’re using music to change the way children view themselves — and the world around them. Let’s take a listen. In this episode, you'll learn: How they use music as a learning tool. Why music and rhyme is a great way for children to learn acceptance of themselves and others. How they are working to make sure this message is available to everyone. Links and Resources Sociotap: https://sociatap.com/doggyland_kids/ Website: doggyland.net Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and that made it the perfect time to sit down with Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, best known as the Grammy-winning duo Cathy & Marcy. They have been entertaining audiences for more than 40 years, and when Marcy received a breast cancer diagnosis, they faced it the same way they have faced all of life’s challenges — side by side, with music and humor. The result is the comedic musical All Wigged Out, which has been made into a film and details Marcy’s journey with breast cancer. They sat down with host Paula Felps to talk about how they transformed this health challenge into a musical story of hope and healing to share with the world. In this episode, you'll learn: How they used music to process Marcy’s diagnosis. Why celebrating even small milestones was important to their journey. How they turned the experience into a humorous healing story. Links and Resources Facebook: @cathyandmarcy Twitter: @CathyandMarcy Instagram: @singtoyourbaby YouTube: CommunityMusic Spotify: Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer Support breast cancer awareness with the Live Happy Breast Cancer Smiling Moptop Pen. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           

The right song lyrics can express exactly what you’re feeling, and they can even help kids open up about what’s happening in their lives. With the Sound It Out campaign, parents and caregivers can support emotional wellness in young people by using songs and lyrics to help kids express their feelings. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Regina Miranda, a professor of psychology at Hunter College and one of the advisors for the program, to learn more about it. In this episode, you'll learn: What the campaign offers and how it came about. How music supports emotional wellness. How to use the Conversation Starter Pack to talk with kids about their feelings. Links and Resources Instagram: @sounditouttogether Twitter: @soundit_out Facebook: @sounditouttogether Buy the On a Positive Note notebook. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places: