Tricia Sebastian

The lowdown: Hailing from Corpus Christi, Texas, Sebastian directs the Coro de Las Americas children's choir at the Old Town. She also teaches music at Chicago's Cleveland Elementary School to children in grades K-3, as part of Ravinia's "Music Discovery," a community outreach program.

Not kidding: Sebastian honed her chops in folk styles -- including huapango, bolero, ranchera and polka -- traveling and playing in Mexico and Spain.

Why we like her: Sebastian's playful, robust soprano could spark a Tex-Mex campfire; her CD "Canta Comingo" crackles with classical guitar and hand percussion. Plus her longest song is about 2 1/2 minutes -- perfect for tot attention spans. (Expect a new CD this fall.)

Next gig: 10:30 a.m. April 26, Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. $5; 773-728-6000. Sebastian also plays 6:30 p.m. April 30 at the Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. Free; 847-253-5675.

Info: www.triciasebastian.com

Grade: B+. So good you might indulge in Sebastian's sunny cancions while your kids nap. - Chicago Tribune

Chicago, with its vast array of talent and diversity, is becoming known in the music industry as a hot spot for outstanding children's music artists and producers. Some names are familiar--Ella Jenkins ("the first lady of children's folk song"), Jim Gill, Ralph Covert and Dave Rudolph, to name just a few. I'm sure you notice that, except for Ella, the majority of the children's music artists are male. The good news is that Chicago is home to quite a few very talented female performing and recording artists who are making great music for children and families to enjoy together. This month, I share some of my favorite independent female children's music artists in the hope that you will support them so they can continue to produce music for our children to enjoy. In that vein, I want to remind you that every time we burn a CD instead of buying one, we are taking money out of the pockets of these artists who not only rely on this for income but also need it to cover their costs so they can produce more great music for us.

Canta Conmigo, by Tricia Sebastian, self-produced, ages 2-6; www.cdbaby.com/cd/tricia. In addition to releasing her very fine first bilingual children's recording, Tricia Sebastian is busy working with children in various musical outreach programs including Ravinia and the West Side Boys and Girls Club. Sebastian, originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, currently teaches Bilingual Wiggleworms at the Old Town School of Folk Music, conducts two bilingual children's choirs called Coro de las Americas and performs locally with her band Gropo Botanica. Her children's CD, "Canta Conmigo," features a bunch of great bilingual songs, Spanish-only songs and one of my favorite (English only) preschool songs "Hurry Hurry (Drive the Fire Truck)." It is obvious that Sebastian spends a great deal of time with children--her songs are child-centered and full of fun. Other classics include "El Chocolate," "De Colores" and "Venga a Ver Mi Granja." Tricia's CD is available locally at Old Town School of Folk Music www.cdbaby.com. - Chicago Parent Magazine

When I go to the grocery store, I often visit the ethnic aisle. I might grab some soy sauce or some miso soup, or some tortillas. Luckily, I do have access to specific ethnic grocery stores that offer me even more wide variety than the ethnic aisle at the grocery store. I feel the same way about "ethnic" kids music. Although I enjoy certain popular kids music "ethnic" compilations, I am also aware that there is a whole world out there of cultural music beyond a mix cd.
As a former Chicago Public School teacher, I'm also firm believer that kids should have all different types of role models. Kids musicians are role models. It is for the above reasons, that I am happy to write about Tricia Sebastian's second cd, "Corazon Alegre".

Corazon Alegre/Happy Heart is an ideal CD for parents who want to introduce their children to English and Spanish music. fusion of international rhythms. The cd opens up with a Hairspray-like radio broadcast song, "Wake up". Songs about foods like "Arroz con Leche" and "Mmmm Tortillas" are nice alternatives to songs about Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches.

Tricia is originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, performs and records bilingual children’s music in the Chicagoland area. Several songs from her first album, Canta Conmigo, have been featured in many children’s compilations CDs and the song “El Chocolate” was rerecorded in New York City for a national television commercial for Quaker’s Chocolate Oat Crunch Life Cereal. It was also aired on ABC’s hit sitcom Ugly Betty.

As an educator, Tricia directs the Coro de Las Americas children’s choir and the Latin Songs ensemble for the Old Town School of Folk Music where she has also taught bilingual Wiggleworms for many years. Since 2000, Tricia has enjoyed working in the Chicago public schools as a teaching artist for Ravinia Festivals Music Discovery outreach program.

Thank you Tricia, for offering something beyond the ethnic aisle - something so rich in culture and diversity. Also, thank you for being a role model to spanish speaking kids as well as english speaking kids! Muchas Gracias!!!
Posted by Little Miss Ann at 10:32 AM - littleshouldersmusic.blogspot.com

Bill Zwecker @billzwecker | email

Fans of the legendary Ella Jenkins will want to know that a free concert is planned for 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Art Center Highland Park. The great Jenkins, known as the “First Lady of Children’s Folk Music,” will be toasted and serenaded in an ongoing celebration of her 90th birthday by a musical group assembled by Fred Koch, including Steve Rashid, Elliott Delman, Ingrid Graudens, Phil Goldman, Teddi Koch and a special guest, Tricia Sebastian. Jenkins’ actual birthday took place in August.
While the Sunday concert is free, this is all tied to a big push to raise additional funds needed to complete “Ella Jenkins: We’ll Sing a Song Together,” the documentary being produced and directed by Tim Ferrin. For more information, write morningbugle@gmail.com

Bill Zwecker - Chicago Sun-Times

by Paul on May 8, 2017 in KidSpace
Since 1925, Día de los Niños (“the Day of the Child”) has been celebrated in Mexico on April 30. This day pays homage to children and tries to raise awareness of what they need to grow, learn, and reach their potential.

Aside from love, food, medical care, water, and oxygen, is there anything children need more than books? No, thought Texas native and children’s author Pat Mora when she heard of this Mexican tradition in 1996. Her idea: also call it Día de los Libros (“the Day of the Books”). And so it is.

Naturally, this attracted the attention of the library’s Clara Sheffer, who not only speaks Spanish but is a big fan (as is virtually every librarian) of celebrating cultural diversity. She found herself asking, “Why not celebrate Dia here?” And so we did, although it was decided to celebrate on April 29 instead, since a Saturday would accommodate the mid-afternoon celebration better than a Sunday.

And what a celebration is was! Setting the tone was singer and guitarist Tricia Sebastian, whose lovely duets with her musician husband Steve created a “world music” vibe and a lot of energy. After serenading an estimated 80 audience members with Mexican ballads, Tricia and Steve poured on the dance music, resulting in a lot of kids dancing and even an adult-led conga line.

Families were then served the special Tres Leches cake and invited to take part in traditional Mexican crafts activities. It was fun piled on top of fun, as any number of happy participants would have told you.

Speaking of children’s books, the library not only has them in a variety of languages, including Spanish, but also in the form of bilingual books and book/CD combinations to assist reading development. Just ask your friendly KidSpace library to show you where! - Library Buzz Blog