Our goal at Successful Kids.net is to empower children to make great choices that will change the world around them in a positive way. Our dream here is to teach children a multitude of character qualities to understand, access and apply those qualities such as respect, patience, kindness, perseverance and diligence to every aspect of their lives. Impossible? Not when I see a seven year old child who’s learned my song “I’m Learning to Be Patient” apply the principle and turn his negative attitude (on one of those long car rides) to one of patience as he recalled the song’s lyrics; or the boy who learned compassion for his Dad as he wrote letters to him in prison.

This website has been a long time in the making. The journey to Successful Kids.net has not always been easy. As for my personal life, I’ve had rocky growing up years, as many of you also may have experienced. As a child, my father’s ragtime piano playing captured my imagination and created in me a desire to become a pianist; however, severe dyslexia made reading and memorization a challenge, and I had very low self-esteem. Alcoholism also tore our family apart, and I often retreated into the world of music as a safe haven. Looking back on some of the difficult circumstances, I see how they prepared me for my work that gives hope to kids.

I firmly believe that if our children receive a strong foundation in basic character qualities, they will mature in wisdom at an early age…AND become agents of change in a world that is in desperate need.

I’ve been an educator for over 40 years, receiving a degree in Education and a Teaching Credential at age 21. At 33, married and a mother of four children, I returned to College, acquiring a degree in Music. It was at that time that my song-writing and performing career began. My children and students inspired every song you will hear. The song, “I’m Here and I Understand” – composed for an abused child – touched the heart of a friend who encouraged me to write the Music is a Gift of Love Program. The Successful Kids Series introduces 26 character qualities and helps parents and teachers prepare their children to successfully navigate through life.

My husband, John, is an active participant in this work. As a man who has faced the “challenge” of many disabilities, including Cerebral Palsy, 10 corrective surgeries, partial blindness, and chronic bronchitis, which were the results of a premature birth, John is an overcomer with a joyful spirit. In addition to being a lawyer, he holds degrees in History and Education. Both of us enjoy teaching children the important concepts of the Music is a Gift of Love Program and the Successful Kids Series.

Thanks for joining us on our website. We are here to serve you, your family and your school community.

Let’s impact the world!