Behind the Music of the SEA Bridge: An Interview with Lindsay Munroe
by Caroline Phillips on November 30, 2021
Did you know? Each workshop in the SEA Bridge features the wonderful music of award-winning singer/songwriters Lindsay Munroe and Raffi.
Lindsay worked closely with the Bridges team and Bridges founder, Katrina, to create songs that reflected some of the topics in the curriculum. Songs like “Frogs and Birds” that talks about commonalities and differences between two people, or “Feelings Like the Weather” that addresses how feelings change. The entire Frogs and Birds album is filled with songs that students will want to sing again and again!
We recently chatted with Lindsay about her music and the creation of the Frogs and Birds album.
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How did you first learn about Bridges Learning System?
LM: I’m so glad Katrina reached out to my team at Troubadour looking to use some of my music for Bridges Learning System. As soon as I read Katrina’s email detailing what Bridges was all about, I knew I wanted to collaborate.
What drew you into the work that Katrina was doing with Bridges Learning System?
LM: I’m a mom of three autistic children. We are very big advocates of autism acceptance in my house. I had never before seen a neurodiversity-affirming curriculum. I was beyond excited and inspired. I knew this was exactly what my kids needed and what the world needs. I had a meeting with Katrina, and I knew she was doing amazing things and I was so excited to get to work writing these songs. It was such an honor to join the wonderful Bridges team!
Do your children have a favorite song that was included in the curriculum?
LM: Mem loves “Frogs and Birds” because she sings it with me and she LOVES birds. Emma and Jack really love “The Ally Song.” I asked them to sing on it with me and I just love having their voices on it.
Music is immensely important for young children and we’re so excited to feature your music in every workshop for the SEA Bridge. Do you have a fond memory of how music influenced you growing up or a song you learned as a kid that had a lasting impact on you?
LM: Thank you! I’m so honored that my music is featured in the SEA Bridge workshops. Music is a great teaching tool—many important lessons can be easily understood through song. The music of Mister Rogers has been hugely influential in my life. His songs are truly about kindness and social emotional learning which taught me a lot as a kid. His songs meant so much to me growing up and still do today even as an adult.
Was there a song that was harder to write from the Frogs and Birds album, or did they all come pretty quickly?
LM: They all came pretty quickly. For me, songwriting has always been a very interesting process where songs seem to flow out of me, but all of my previous songs had been topics I thought of and chose to write about. When I was asked to write songs to go along with a curriculum, I did have a little voice wondering what if I couldn’t come up with a song for each lesson. Fortunately, once I got started writing, the songs came very easily. I was really inspired by the wonderful lessons in the SEA Bridge curriculum. “Feelings Like the Weather” only took about an hour to write.
Being asked to write a song about Theory of Mind seemed like a tall task. I wondered how I could convey in a song for kids that not everyone has the same thoughts, feelings, likes and dislikes as you. I had an idea to write a duet where one person likes birds, and the other person likes frogs. The song “Frogs and Birds” was written in just one afternoon. My daughter Mem really, really likes birds so naturally I asked her to sing it with me and I’m so glad I did! Singing with my kids is so much fun and this song was perfect for Mem.
Now, for the most important question: Do you have a favorite Insight Sprite?
LM: Of course, I do! My favorite insight sprite is Flynn. Flynn is musical and has a pet bird just like me! Another fun fact is that my daughter Mem actually voices Flynn for the SEA Bridge curriculum. So, I would say Flynn is my favorite!
Do you have more music you’re releasing soon? If so, when can we expect it?
LM: I just fished up recording a really fun duet album with Raffi. I can’t say too much about it yet, but it’s a special album and I can’t wait to share it with everyone in the spring of 2022!
We’re so thankful for Lindsay and her collaboration with us! Explore more of her music or share it with your students or clients in our curriculum. Set up a time to learn more about the SEA Bridge.
