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Original Screenplays, Songs and Stories
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Recent Writing
Honors |
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The playful quality of Donna's songwriting
invites children to share an adventure with her. She takes youngsters on
a whimsical journey and they eagerly respond by singing her catchy melodies
and tapping into their own imaginations. Donna's melodies are simple but
interesting. Her style is predominantly folk with elements of calypso, southwestern,
blues, country, and pop. These tunes engage children and allow them to easily
sing along. Donna's lyrics paint memorable pictures of animals, places, imaginary
characters and activities that intrigue children.
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Adults enjoy the humor and imagery
of the songs and, |
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Writing Honors (Contd.)
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Photo by David Rossi. |
In an article in the Courier
News, Bob Makin staff writer, Gannett New Jersey, called Donna
Lisa one of the best children's songwriters, whose animal themed songs,"...will
tickle kids funny bones." |
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Donna has had considerable experience with writing and performing for children. She published stories and songs with Chappell Music, CAM-USA, and Taylor Associates. She wrote a musical fantasy for children, titled Marvin and The Beasts, which was produced in California. Donna has performed in clubs and coffee houses throughout the New York area. She has also performed in schools, libraries, and community centers, in shows designed for children, and worked for a toy manufacturer to promote a product. Donna's performances include accompanying musicians, young singers/performers and adorable animal puppets. She was featured on "The All Ages Show", Princeton, NJ and "Magazine", Brighton, England. Donna is a contributing
singer/songwriter and A&R Director for "Playful Journeys to Grow On," a
compilation, children's CD that will benefit The United Way. The
album features some well-known children's artists such as Raffi, Laurie
Berkner and Tom Paxton and the CD is scheduled for an
upcoming release. Some of Donna's songs for children and adults are
currently under contract, with music licensing/publishing
company, Noteborn Music. She
will be featured as the Member of the Year in the Entertainment
Field in the 2009 edition of Madison Who's Who. Donna grew up in Sleepy Hollow, California, and began singing, harmonizing, and writing stories as a child. When she was a teenager, she took up the guitar. She took specialized courses in songwriting and story writing for children at The Songwriters Workshop, The Songwriters Guild, The Writer's Voice, The New School and New York University. She also took a number of courses in screenwriting including study with Robert McKee and D.B. Gilles. Donna received a Bachelor's Degree from The University of California, Davis and a Master's Degree from Yeshiva University. |
CD Reviews "5 out of 5 stars"
To listen to songs click below:
CD available on www.CDBaby.com/DonnaLisa
Reviewer: David Shear - General Manager, WSIA, NY
For our children's music and story radio show we receive
many new releases from large and small labels and independent artists
all the time. Toucan You Can by Donna Lisa is one of the best
children's CDs we reviewed this year. With bouncy tunes and clever
lyrics it's a lot of fun for kids and adults. Highly recommended!
Reviewer: Kerrianne Spellman Cort - Entertainment Writer for
the Westfield Leader, NJ
All of the songs on Toucan You Can
were written by (Donna) Lisa and her work simply shines. I've been singing
the title song all day.
Reviewer: Marsha Stern
- Child Care Director
I get tired of the same old tunes and am always looking
for new music that I can use with the children. I search for songs
that are refreshing and that I can enjoy too. This CD fulfills those requirements.
It is playful, enjoyable and very, very refreshing.
Reviewer: Seth Alexander - Producer, Q-VO Records
Truly fine melodies are rare in children's music.
This CD is filled with them. As a lyricist, Donna never talks down to kids.
Donna's voice has a soothing quality that makes this album extremely listenable
for everyone.
Reviewer: Karen Fountain - Mother of 3
We all love this CD! We really enjoy the
variety of lyrics and song themes. My three year old sings and my one
year old dances whenever I turn on the CD. The songs really stay with
you throughout the day. They are catchy songs. My five year old loves giving
this CD as a gift to her friends for their birthdays.
Reviewer: Ella Shuster - Babysitter, Age 17
This vibrant collection of songs will have anyone
singing along even after the song has ended. I love it and recommend it
to kids of all ages.
Reviewer: Penny R. Goldstein - Chiropractor
Donna Lisa's lyrics made me smile the whole
way through. This CD appeals to the child in all of us!
Reviewer: Lisa Quackenbush - Special Education Teacher
I love having this CD in my classroom. Donna
Lisa's voice is soothing and her lyrics playful and easy to remember.
I highly recommend this CD.
Reviewer: Marilyn Schaeffner - Teacher
I loved this CD. It has great lyrics and is very
imaginative. Simple yet exciting...upbeat and visionary.
Reviewer: Lisa Ross - Screenwriter & Mother
I just love this CD--it's so much more creative
than other stuff out there. My son listens to Hey Baby Llama
over and over again, but there's not a bad song in the bunch. You can't
go wrong with this CD!!!
Reviewer: David Arthur - Father of A 6 year old
Terrific songs, great lyrics! My little boy
loves this CD. We play it over and over, especially in the car.
Reviewer: Sandy Newson
Donna Lisa's nurturing music is perfect for
children and parents alike. Her themes and lyrics are so upbeat and enjoyable,
they keep you humming the tunes long after hearing them.
Performance Reviews
Reviewer: Devorah A. Grunau -
Director, Sally and David Weintal Preschool of Congregation B'nai Israel
Basking Ridge, NJ
"Donna Lisa's music is both uplifting and soothing,
exciting and interesting. Before she came here to our school, we bought
a copy of Donna's wonderful CD, and all our children, ages 3-5 had an opportunity
to become somewhat familiar with her music. Donna Lisa has a great rapport
with the children and has innate sense of what interests children and her
music reflects that. It was a wonderful experience to have her perform at
our preschool and we plan to invite her back for more good music and fun!"
Reviewer: Kindergarten Teachers, P.S. 52
Staten Island, NY
"Donna Lisa's program is
a teacher's dream. It's educational and fun at the same time. Who could ask
for more? Donna fully engaged the children with playful songs they could easily
sing, lively motions they could easily follow and adorable puppets. Our Kindergarten
students loved Donna Lisa's musical performance, and now they are enjoying
her CD, Toucan You Can."
Reviewer: Dana Racioppi - Cultural Arts Coordinator,
St. Michael's School
Cranford, NJ
"The children at St. Michael's
School loved Donna Lisa's performance. My own children, ages 3 and 5, came
home singing her songs. The teachers really enjoyed Donna's performance, also. They were very happy to see the children participating and having fun."
Reviewer: Lisa Quackenbush - Special Education Teacher
Westfield, NJ
"As an educator it was exciting
for me to see the chemistry between Donna and her young audience. The children
were completely enchanted by Donna Lisa's performance at the Westfield Library.
Using puppets & hand motions to accent her rhythmic songs, she facilitated
spontaneous audience participation. Donna created an interactive experience
for the children."
Reviewer: Tom Jardim - Attorney and Father of three
Westfield, NJ
"Donna Lisa's performance at the Westfield Library was a toe-tappin',
hand clappin', can't sit still, tour de force. My daughters, ages 3 &
5, really liked the songs. We all had a great time."
Reviewer: Marion Gold - Real Estate Development Consultant
and Mother of a six-year old
Long Beach, CA
"I recently watched Donna
Lisa perform at my son's school. It was a very successful program. Donna
is a wonderful performer. She really knows how to engage kids and get into
their world, while keeping them focused. Her songs are creative, fanciful,
and just plain fun. Donna gets kids moving and talking. When the performance
was over, all the kids wanted more."
*Additional Writing & Songwriting Honors
*
2008
Moviebytes.com – “Kheng Kheng Crocodile” - Listed as 1 of the top
10 contest-winning
screenplays in the Animation, Action/Adventure and Family Categories
*
Featured
Children's Songwriter in The 2006
Songwriter's Market
* 2006 Winner Extreme Screenwriting Contest
for "Kheng Kheng Crocodile" (Category -
Wild Card)
* 2006 The Writers Place Short Story Contest - Winner (Honorable
Mention) for "Toucans of the Amazon" (Treatment)
* 2006 The Writer's
Place Screenplay Contest - Finalist for "Kheng Kheng Crocodile"
* 2005 Moondance International
Film Festival - Winner for "Kheng Kheng Crocodile" (Stories for Children)
* 2006 The Writers Place Short Story Contest - Finalist for
"Kheng Kheng Crocodile" (Treatment)
* 2006 Moondance International Film Festival - Finalist for "Toucans
of the Amazon" (Short Screenplays for Kids)
* 2006 Screenplay
Festival - Semi-Finalist for "Kheng Kheng Crocodile"
* 2006 WriteMovies.Com/Talent Scout - Semi-Finalist for "Kheng
Kheng Crocodile"
* 2006 Filmmakers Screenwriting Awards - Semi-Finalist for "Kheng
Kheng Crocodile"
* 2006 The Red Inkworks Screenplay Competition - Semi-Finalist for
"Kheng Kheng Crocodile"
* 2006 The Writers Network Screenplay and Fiction Competition
- Quarterfinalist for "Kheng Kheng Crocodile"
and "Toucans of the Amazon" (Treatments)
* 2006 Cynosure Screenwriting Awards - Quarterfinalist for "Kheng
Kheng Crocodile"
* Winner
2006 Billboard Songwriting Contest - Honorable Mention
for "Loon Lake"
* Finalist 2006 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest for "My Samlor" (From
"Kheng Kheng Crocodile")
* 2005 Writers Place Short Story Contest - Finalist for "Kheng Kheng Crocodile" and "Toucans of The Amazon"
(Treatments)
* 2005 The Writers Network
12th Annual Screenplay and Fiction Competition Quarterfinalist for "Kheng Kheng
Crocodile" and
"Toucans of The Amazon" (Treatments)
* 2004 Children's Music Web Award (Best Preschool Album) -Winner
* 2004 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (Children's Gold &
Silver Awards) -Winner
* Winner 2004 International Songwriting
Competition (Honorable Mention)
* Winner 2004 Unisong International Song Contest (4th Place)
* Winner 2003 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Honorable Mention)
* Finalist 2004 USA Songwriting Contest (Children's Category)
For Additional Information Contact:
| Donna Lisa P.O. Box 3003 Westfield, N.J. 07091 (908)317-2659 |
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This page was last updated: April 7th, 2009
