When Lucy Kalantari won the first of her two Grammy awards, she shared the award with a distinguished cellist in her band: her five-year-old son Darius. This summer, she shares her jazz age-inspired music with Caramoor’s youngest audience. Children and caregivers of all ages are invited to sing along (in English and Spanish!) to classic children’s songs, swinging originals, and music that highlights the joys of life, community, and resilience.
Movement and musical discovery take flight in this series for the littlest Caramoor attendees. Located in our flexible and accessible Education Center, this program geared for children ages 2–6 (and their caregivers) brings in world-class artists who will invite children to sing, wiggle, and dance to diverse styles of music.
This performance welcomes children who are neurodivergent, have sensory sensitivities, or just need a bit more space to enjoy the music. Modifications include relaxed house rules, and extra space for movement.
Lucy Kalantari
Jen Hodge, bass
Lucy Kalantari is an artist, composer, producer, and engineer with 2 GRAMMY® Awards, 1 Latin Grammy nomination, and a growing list of accolades for her excellence in songwriting. She is currently writing music for the new “¡Dora!” series debuting on Nick Jr. in the Spring of 2024.
Passionate about creating children’s media that brings joy, inspires community, and highlights the power of resilience, Kalantari focuses her efforts on both Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats releases and a diverse collection of artists, bringing their sonic vision to life. She has worked with GRAMMY®-Nominated and winning artists Joanie Leeds, 123 Andrés, Flor Bromley, SaulPaul, Uncle Jumbo, Andrew & Polly, Fyütch, and many more.
Born of Latine descent and raised in the Dominican Republic for part of her life, she writes both in English and in Spanish making it accessible to a broader audience. Kalantari’s songs have been featured on PBS Kids Jam, and Universal Kids (NBC Universal Television) and can often be found topping the charts on SiriusXM Kids Place Live as well as other family programs around the country. Highlight performances by Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats include Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Kennedy Center and Symphony Space, to name a few.
As a full-time music creator and a mother to an 11-year-old musician, she still makes time for mentorship programs to help shape the minds of emerging music creators. She serves as a soundBoard mentor for We Are Moving the Needle, striving to correct the balance in an industry where women and non-binary individuals are underrepresented. She’s also a mentor for GRAMMY U and an active member of the Recording Academy.
Lucy Kalantari stands as a multifaceted and influential figure in the music industry, making significant contributions as an artist, a producer, and as a mentor, actively working towards positive change and inclusivity in the field.