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A couple of dads who enjoy entertaining and imparting positive values to children have released a musical CD that’s fun for the whole family.
‘We’re closer to the Beatles than Barney,? said Waterford resident Taggart Smith, one half of the duo known as Zippity2Dads. ‘It’s catchy, upbeat music.?
‘Thumbs Up for Character: Songs for Kids to Live By? is the title of the new CD produced by Zippity2Dad Productions, the company founded by Smith and Oxford resident Shawn Ryskamp in fall 2005.
From school assemblies and birthday parties to corporate events and promotional events at malls, the entertainment and production company does it all.
‘We both have a love of performing for children especially,? said Ryskamp, 38, who noted they have seven children between them. ‘We know how to keep kids entertained.?
The CD features original songs from Zippity2Dads educational shows designed for elementary school assemblies. Each song covers an important character trait for kids to learn.
Unlike a lot of kids? music which is ‘pretty annoying to parents,? who often ‘can’t wait to turn it off,? Smith said their CD is something the whole family can appreciate and enjoy together.
‘A lot of the stuff we write we think of it as if we were writing for a radio station ? something adults wouldn’t mind listening to,? he said. ‘We like to call it family music more than kids music.?
Ryskamp said it was Zippity2Dads live shows at the elementary schools that created the demand for the CD.
‘Teachers would ask us after the show if we had any CDs to buy, so we decided we’d better make one,? Ryskamp said. ‘We had an instant market there in the elementary schools.?
The idea for Zippity2Dads was hatched at last year’s Romeo Peach Festival.
Ryskamp and Smith immediately went to work writing the material and songs for their show.
Ryskamp said the songs were ‘fairly simple to write? because they truly believe in the messages contained in the music.
In April 2006, the pair began performing at elementary school assemblies and has since done about 40 such shows including appearances at Clear Lake, Lakeville, Daniel Axford and Oxford elementaries.
Zippity2Dads offers five educational shows for school assemblies. The shows are geared toward kindergartners through fifth-graders.
‘Character Performance ? Preparing Children for the Biggest Stage of All ? Life!? is the first show Ryskamp and Smith wrote together.
The show focuses on making the right choices in life with special emphasis on the six important character traits ? trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, caring, fairness and citizenship.
Ryskamp and Smith tell the kids they are performers just like them in that they perform everyday as students, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.
‘We teach them that how you perform in life is important,? Ryskamp said. ‘Your character is important.?
In their show ‘The Earth Story: One Person Can Make a Difference,? students go on an adventure with the wasteful character ‘Earthenezer Skrooge? who’s shown the errors of his earth-damaging habits by the ghosts of Earth Day past, present and future.
‘Self-esteem: You Matter!? tells students that they’re all unique and all have something to offer and share with their families, friends and teachers. The show teaches kids to focus on their great qualities and the good things they do.
‘Imagination: Imagine the Possibilities? teaches students how to be creative and use their imaginations through improvisational theater. The show helps heighten kids? language and listening skills.
‘Thumbs Up: A Musical Revue of Character? is filled with original songs covering many of the important character traits.
Smith and Ryskamp not only want the children to have fun, but learn valuable life lessons.
‘The most rewarding part is really just getting that reaction from the kids afterwards ? knowing they took something from our performance,? Ryskamp said.
Although the shows are educational in nature, they’re not boring or preachy.
‘We incorporate so much energy and so much of the performing arts in our assembly,? Ryskamp said. ‘I think that’s what really makes us unique.?
Singing, acting, drama, comedy, adventure, playing instruments and using props are all part of their educational shows, which range from 30 to 55 minutes in length depending on the show.
‘We do a little bit of everything,? Ryskamp said. ‘It’s a little bit vaudeville.?
‘We squeeze a lot into a short amount of time,? said Smith, who plays the guitar on stage and on the CD, but also plays the piano.
In their skits, Ryskamp usually plays the ‘goofy character? while Smith is the ‘straight man.?
‘We know each other so well that there are times when can anticipate what the other person is going to do,? Smith said. ‘We work well together.?
Both Ryskamp and Smith have extensive backgrounds in the performing arts.
An accomplished singer, dancer, writer and actor, Ryskamp has been involved in stage performances at Oakland University and in Christ the King Church’s production ‘Yellow Brick Road.?
In 1989, Ryskamp was part of a six-person ensemble show that for performed for U.S. Troops overseas.
From 1990-2001, he was the manager and executive producer of Learmont Productions? Mopo Bears ? a costume character children’s show that toured the country, singing and dancing at malls, fairs and festivals.
Zippity2Dad Productions now owns the Mopo Bears costumes and offers shows featuring them.
An accomplished musician, songwriter and actor, Smith has been playing piano since the age 7. In 2001, he wrote, recorded and produced an instrumental piano CD for children.
Smith was previously active in the Clarkston Village Players, acting in such plays as ‘A Case of Libel?, ‘Bus Stop?, and ‘I’ll Be Back Before Midnight.?
Zippity2Dads new CD sells for $15 and is available on their website www.zippity2dad.com and soon at www.cdbaby.com from our performance,? Ryskamp said.
Although the shows are educational in nature, they’re not boring or preachy.
‘We incorporate so much energy and so much of the performing arts in our assembly,? Ryskamp said. ‘I think that’s what really makes us unique.?
Singing, acting, drama, comedy, adventure, playing instruments and using props are all part of their educational shows, which range from 30 to 55 minutes in length depending on the show.
‘We do a little bit of everything,? Ryskamp said. ‘It’s a little bit vaudeville.?
‘We squeeze a lot into a short amount of time,? said Smith, who plays the guitar on stage and on the CD, but also plays the piano.
In their skits, Ryskamp usually plays the ‘goofy character? while Smith is the ‘straight man.?
‘We know each other so well that there are times when can anticipate what the other person is going to do,? Smith said. ‘We work well together.?
Both Ryskamp and Smith have extensive backgrounds in the performing arts.
An accomplished singer, dancer, writer and actor, Ryskamp has been involved in stage performances at Oakland University and in Christ the King Church’s production ‘Yellow Brick Road.?
In 1989, Ryskamp was part of a six-person ensemble show that for performed for U.S. Troops overseas. From 1990-2001, he was the manager and executive producer of Learmont Productions? Mopo Bears ? a costume character children’s show that toured the country, singing and dancing at malls, fairs and festivals.
Zippity2Dad Productions now owns the Mopo Bears costumes and offers shows featuring them.
An accomplished musician, songwriter and actor, Smith has been playing piano since the age 7. In 2001, he wrote, recorded and produced an instrumental piano CD for children.
Smith was previously active in the Clarkston Village Players, acting in such plays as ‘A Case of Libel?, ‘Bus Stop?, and ‘I’ll Be Back Before Midnight.?
Zippity2Dads new CD sells for $15 and is available on their website www.zippity2dad.com and at www.cdbaby.com