Dance for the Sun
Encyclopedia
Dance for the Sun, Yoga Songs for Kids, is the self-released 2006 debut album by Kira Willey
.
to her daughter. After a few years passed, she started playing the guitar, writing more often, and had begun teaching Yoga
classes in New York City
to children. The songs for Dance for the Sun were written with her class in mind, and after building up a collection, Willey began using these songs as a musical guide to compliment her class, and received positive feedback from both her daughter and her class. When recording the album, Willey enlisted the help of her brother for bass vocals, her cousin for percussion and production, and several of the children in her class to provide vocals, nicknamed the "OmGirls". Dance for the Sun was released on December 1, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
The album is primarily 15 tracks, the ones which appear first. The remainder are bonus tracks, which are of live recordings in her Yoga class that include children singing along and participating. The booklet contains educational illustrations of Yoga positions and poses that coincide with the bonus tracks.
The song "Colors" was popularized by its use in a Dell computers commercial, called "Portraits". The 31-second commercial showcased the company's laptop
model, which featured casing in a variety of colors, presumably to match an aspect of the owner or their personality. This was part of a campaign that Dell ran, which asked consumers "What's your color?".
said that Dance for the Sun was "joyful, upbeat, and eminently danceable. Willey’s vocals have a breezy coffeehouse quality that will appeal to listeners young and old alike."
Dance for the Sun has won several awards; an Independent Music Award for Best Children's Album, as well as a 2008 Parent's Choice Award
. The track Caterpillar Caterpillar has also won an Independent Music Award and a Children's Music Web Award for Best Song.
Kira Willey
Kira Willey is an award-winning American musician best known forher song Colors which is featured on a popular Dell computer laptop commercial. She is also a certified Yoga instructor and a mother.-Musical career:...
.
Background
Willey initially began writing music in the forms of lullabiesLullaby
A lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
to her daughter. After a few years passed, she started playing the guitar, writing more often, and had begun teaching Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
classes in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to children. The songs for Dance for the Sun were written with her class in mind, and after building up a collection, Willey began using these songs as a musical guide to compliment her class, and received positive feedback from both her daughter and her class. When recording the album, Willey enlisted the help of her brother for bass vocals, her cousin for percussion and production, and several of the children in her class to provide vocals, nicknamed the "OmGirls". Dance for the Sun was released on December 1, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
The album is primarily 15 tracks, the ones which appear first. The remainder are bonus tracks, which are of live recordings in her Yoga class that include children singing along and participating. The booklet contains educational illustrations of Yoga positions and poses that coincide with the bonus tracks.
The song "Colors" was popularized by its use in a Dell computers commercial, called "Portraits". The 31-second commercial showcased the company's laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
model, which featured casing in a variety of colors, presumably to match an aspect of the owner or their personality. This was part of a campaign that Dell ran, which asked consumers "What's your color?".
Review
Among critics of children's music, Dance for the Sun has received positive reviews, but it is said to be enjoyable by listeners of any age, and in the August 2007, Cookie MagazineCookie (magazine)
Cookie is a Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Shueisha. As of 2008, the circulation is about 175,000.Cookie is related to Ribon. Ribon Comic, another monthly magazine which was a sister magazine of Ribon, changed its title to Bouquet in 1978...
said that Dance for the Sun was "joyful, upbeat, and eminently danceable. Willey’s vocals have a breezy coffeehouse quality that will appeal to listeners young and old alike."
Dance for the Sun has won several awards; an Independent Music Award for Best Children's Album, as well as a 2008 Parent's Choice Award
Parents' Choice Award
The Parents' Choice Award is an award presented by the non-profit Parents' Choice Foundation to recognize "the very best products for children of different ages and backgrounds, and of varied skill and interest levels." It is considered a "prestigious" award among children's products, and has been...
. The track Caterpillar Caterpillar has also won an Independent Music Award and a Children's Music Web Award for Best Song.
Track listing
- Information on tracklisting.
Personnel
- Kira Willey - lead vocals, guitar and violin
- Beau Lisy - drums and percussion
- Alex Luqet - bass
- Zak Rizvi - guitar and trombone
- Information on personnel.
Album
| Award | Category |
|---|---|
| Independent Music Awards | Best Children's Album (2008) |
Songs
| Award | Category | Song |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Music Web Awards | Best Song for Preschoolers (2007) Best Recording for Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 (2007) |
"Caterpillar caterpillar" |
| Independent Music Awards | Best Children's Song (2008) | "Caterpillar caterpillar" |
| International Songwriting Competition International Songwriting Competition The International Songwriting Competition is an annual song contest based in Nashville, TN, whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of... |
Children's Music Finalist Nomination (2007) | "Caterpillar caterpillar" |
| Just Plain Folks Music Organization Just Plain Folks Music Organization Just Plain Folks Music Organization is a website and community founded by Brian Austin Whitney with the intent of helping anyone involved in the music industry to network, share their experiences, build relationships, and grow... |
Children's Song Winners (2009) | "Colors" |
| Parents' Choice Award Parents' Choice Award The Parents' Choice Award is an award presented by the non-profit Parents' Choice Foundation to recognize "the very best products for children of different ages and backgrounds, and of varied skill and interest levels." It is considered a "prestigious" award among children's products, and has been... |
Winner (2007) | "Colors" |
| Unisong International Song Contest Unisong International Song Contest The Unisong International Songwriting Contest is the oldest international songwriting competition, that is for and judged by songwriters.Unisong International Song Contest was founded in 1996 by songwriter Alan Roy Scott , publisher David Stark and songwriter/promoter Brett Perkins .Unisong is... |
Children's Top 20 Finalists (2007) | "Surfer Mama" |
External links
- Fireflies Yoga, Official Website of Kira Willey
- Dell Commercial featuring "Colors"