In the kindie music world, Kira Willey breaks through with her unique, two-in-one albums that blend upbeat, danceable music with get-up-and-move yoga inspiration. In October 2011, this innovative singer-songwriter from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, released her second CD, "Kings & Queens of the Forest." The collection of 13 joyful folk/pop originals also features 13 bonus yoga tracks with Kira’s instructional voiceovers. Included in the album is a lyric booklet that guides parents with illustrations of Kira’s kid-friendly yoga routines.
Produced by Zak Rizvi, "Kings & Queens of the Forest" keeps children captivated with its playful melodies and positive lyrics. Kids are the toughest crowd to please -- if they’re not engaged, they simply walk away. But Kira understands her audience well. Her warm, authentic songs, with themes of nature and the simple joys of childhood, connect instantly with children.
When writing songs, Kira observes what fascinates her own kids. She often uses them as a sounding board by singing them a new melody, and then asking what it makes them think of. They dream up visions of friendly crickets and roller coasters; many of Kira’s songs were born this way.
Kira’s pure, sweet, and soothing voice resonates with kids. Parents of special-needs children say they find their kids captivated by her songs, and preschool teachers, occupational therapists, and other youth workers regularly use Kira’s songs in their work. Her fun and easy-to-follow yoga instruction teaches self-awareness, improves balance and strength, and builds confidence.
Kira grew up in a musical family - her brother sings the bass vocal on the track “Let the Sun Shine In” - and her passion for music began when she started to play the violin at age five. Initially she composed “grown-up” tunes, but after teaching kids’ music and yoga classes in New York City, she realized children’s songs were her calling. This was confirmed when Kira had her first child, began singing to her, and saw first-hand the bonding power of music.
In 1996 Kira became certified to teach yoga to children and founded Fireflies Musical Yoga for Kids. A year later, she released her first album, "Dance for the Sun: Yoga Songs for Kids," which garnered many music-industry accolades, including the Independent Music Award for Best Children’s Album. In 2008, Dell featured her song “Colors” in a worldwide media campaign, which earned her fans around the globe.
Kira’s new album, "Kings & Queens of the Forest," is available on iTunes, CDBaby.com, and her website www.firefliesyoga.com. In the upcoming months, she and her band will perform in eastern Pennsylvania and the New York City tri-state area. Kira is currently working on a lullaby album as well as a family music collection for future release.
