• What is Jam with Jamie & what inspired you to start it?  

Jam with Jamie provides musical entertainment for birthday parties, playgroups, and events for children, from 0 to 5 years old, all over New York City and the Tri-State area. My inspiration stems from working as a music teacher in preschools and for the company, Citibabes. My mother encouraged me to start my own company to provide private entertainment for birthday parties and playgroups, so in 2008 I took her advice. I got my start at a family friends’ birthday party and from there Jam with Jamie kept growing and growing. Now, 5 years later, the Jam with Jamie team has six entertainers. We are currently in the works to expand to Nashville and Miami!

•  Describe a typical party appearance with Jam with Jamie 

Parties include live singing and guitar playing with one rockin’ entertainer who interacts with the children through instruments, animal puppets, shakers, parachutes, and bubbles to add to the fun. For forty minutes, children will be up on their feet dancing and shaking to familiar tunes, that even adults enjoy! It is truly fun for the whole family and specials requests are always welcome!

Jamie incorporates the theme of the party into the entertainment!

•  Tell us more about your new online Children’s Song Series!

We are so proud to announce our most recent venture with Howcast.com. There are 38 videos that children can sing and play along with at home. We hope we can spread the joy of music to little ones and help them connect to new songs and classics with these videos. Here is a link to one of our favorites, and please check out the others. It’ll keep you and your kids occupied for hours!

A couple of my favorite videos from the Children’s song series are Baby Shark and Two Little Blackbirds.

• What else are you up to?

When I am not performing at birthday parties I am also an actress. I have done a ton of children’s theater, even when I was a child myself! I have performed in “The Little Mermaid” and “The Velveteen Rabbit” at The Player’s Theater. I am currently performing as the rock and roll granny in the new Laurie Berkner musical, “Wanda’s Monster.” We were just nominated by the Off-Broadway Alliance for “Best Family Show” which I am very excited about. Look out for news on our upcoming run at The Vineyard Theater over the summer!

• How can I book Jam with Jamie for my party?!

Contact us through our website or you can call us at 917-822-0186. Also, follow us on Twitter.

-Jamie has been working with children of all ages as an actress, teacher, and entertainer for the past ten years. She has taught numerous music and movement classes in Miami, Florida and at Citibabes and Kaplan Nursery School in New York City. Jamie has also performed in many off-broadway children’s theater productions, most recently as the Rock and Roll Granny in Laurie Berkners’ new musical, “Wanda’s Monster.”  Learn more about Jamie on her acting website.

I’m Leaving in a Ford 150

All my bags are packed. I’m ready to go

I’m sitting here inside my house

I hate to wake up to my alarm clock humming

But the dawn is breaking, it’s early morn

The F150′s waiting. It’s blowing its horn

Already I’m so excited I could cry.

So excited to spend the next couple of months with my daughter and grandkids!

So kiss me and smile for me

Tell me that you’ll be waiting for me

Hug me when I’m standing at your door

I’m leaving in a Ford 150

I don’t know when I’ll be home again

Oh Babe, I need to go.

I can’t wait to hold you tight,

Smile at you through the sleepless nights

So many mouths to feed and diapers to change

I’ll tell you it’s such a different thing

Every bag I pack, every box I bring

Every thought I have

I think of you.

Oh daughter and babies I’m on my way.

With love,

Peter, Paul and Mama Bell