Hope Harris is passionate about children and music, specifically wholesome music that inspires creativity, positivity, imagination and kindness. Her most recent project, Cousins Jamboree, was inspired by weekly visits with her brother and his family. All of the things that she talks about in her title track sums up what they used to do, make flap jacks, dance, play…you name it!
Hopes’ s began performing as a child, often convincing her brother to help her put on backyard productions. Later, she was a member of SODA (Student Organized for Developing Attitude), a group that went to schools to teach children how to develop positive attitudes and self-esteem. Harris also spent time acting, finding herself on stage everywhere from Broadway to Nashville. She taught music to small kids and parents at Sunshine Kids Club in New York, but her most important role would not come until she had children of her own. She and her husband decided to return to her roots in Richmond, Virginia, and Harris’ creative abilities were in full effect!
What inspires you the most?
[I] feel that children are so bombarded with so many inappropriate messages that I want to encourage them to be kids a little longer
How is making music different from teaching music to kids?
Music is that thing that bonds people, a live show is an experience that people can do together. It’s all sharing and group participation and trying to stimulate creativity and imagination. I like to bring festive energy into teaching and live music
How is Cousins Jamboree different from other kids’ musical recordings out there?
[Cousins Jamboree] crosses genre that goes from show tunes to jazz to rock. It captures American music, important messages for kid and it’s a lot of fun. A grandmother credited me and my music on being an important focal point on her relationship with her granddaughter. They were able to listen to Cousins Jamboree and sing together while riding in the car or simply spending time together.
Do you think there is more of a market for children’s bands and live performances than it was, say when we were brought up? Over the summer I took my sons to Theatre in the Woods at Wolf Trap in Vienna and I was shocked at the amount of parents and children who were there at 10:30 in the morning.
Kid’s bands have definitely bloomed in the last 10 years. The genre seems to be growing a lot, I’m not sure why, but there are a lot more family music festivals.
So how long have you been touring for Cousins Jamboree?
I have been touring since the fall of 2010 and it’s usually no more than one to four shows per month
Do your children get to tour with you?
Only on day trips and I only accept shows that are accommodating to my family’s schedule
How old are your children? Do they think you’re the coolest mom ever or do they just not old enough to get it yet?
They are six and eight. They have loved it up until now, but I’m not sure when that enthusiasm will run out.
Now I understand that you just relocated to Richmond from New York City, how has that transition been?
I was born and raised in Lynchburg, so it was like coming home. Also, due to my recording, I’m still very much connected to the city. [I] gain energy in both places, but I’m actually able to cook dinner while watching the kids play. It has not been a difficult adjustment. New York is a very pedestrian city, but Richmond is very car oriented so it limits social interaction, but I have since made friends.
What is your favorite family activity in New York? Richmond?
-In New York, going to the park and shooting hoops, seeing plays, exploring Central Park, brunch, picnics
-Richmond: Shooting basketball with family, exploring by hiking and walks, time with family (family dinners, cook out at friends), Lollipops concert
For more information, visit the website for Hope Harris and Cousins Jamboree
