Roger Wolcott Sits Down with SteveSongs

*The following information and interview is provided by Roger Wolcott Early Childhood Center.

A longtime friend of Roger Wolcott Early Learning Center, Connecticut native Steve Roslonek of SteveSongs is set to perform a concert this Thursday for Windsor students and families. Mr. Steve, as he’s known to kids across the country, has been writing and performing for children and their families for more than a decade. His blend of smart lyrics, catchy melodies and thoughtful messages makes for the sort of music that kids love to sing and dance along with. Mr. Steve has been able to bring his musical talents into the Roger Wolcott classrooms over the last several years, and has even written a special song that he shares with the kids each year both in the classroom and in his family concert for the school.

Teachers and children were able to sit down with Steve when he visited the school in October, 2011 to ask him a few questions:

RW: What was the “light bulb” that inspired you to leave your business consultant position and become a performer?

SR:I always enjoyed writing stories and songs. After my first couple of songs, which I wrote for my brother’s first grade class, I realized that it was fun, but never thought it could become a full-time job. And now here I am 15 years later. It just gets better every year!

RW: What do you enjoy the most about performing for kids?

SR: I enjoy making new friends, and the participation aspect of my concerts gives me that. It’s all about play – in both music and games. I truly love that uninhibited energy in my audiences.

RW: Do you have any musical inspirations?

SR: Aside from television shows I enjoyed as a kid – including Schoolhouse Rock! – I find inspiration for my songs everywhere. A recent vacation to Punta Cana helped me develop some new songs with a more Latin feel to them.

RW: Is there some meaning behind your red shirt – or is it a favorite color?

SR:I like to tell kids that Santa advises me on fashion.

RW: What makes the Roger Wolcott Early Learning Center so special?

SR: My schedule only allows me to visit a couple of schools, and this is one. The kids here are so nice at this school. It may sound small, but it’s truly such a joy to come here. Instead replace Ilook forward to the visit every year. From beginning to end, it’s such an awesome experience with the teachers, the children and the families.

The SteveSongs concert this Thursday will be held at Sage Park Middle School from 6-7 p.m. as part ofthe Windsor Public Schools’ celebration of “Turn Off the TV Week”. Tickets to this concert are $5 perperson and may be purchased from the Family Resource Center at Roger Wolcott (860.264.9032 x104). Activities hosted all week by each of the four elementary schools and Roger Wolcott seek to provide local families an alternative to television entertainment. Turning off our televisions gives us time to think, read, create, and do the things we otherwise wouldn’t have time for. We can use the time to connect with our families and engage in our communities as we grow more physically and mentally active. Through his music, Mr. Steve will certainly do his part to keep us physically and mentally engaged for the evening!