Photos by David Rossi.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Original Screenplays, Songs and Stories 

Recent Writing Honors
* 2009 Moviebytes.com -“Kheng Kheng Crocodile” - Listed as the Number 1 contest-winning 
    script in the Animation
Category,  and as 1 of the top 4 in the Adventure and Family categories
* 2009 Moviebytes.com -“Toucans of the Amazon” - Listed as 1 of the top 5 contest-winning scripts
   & “Toucan You Can!”- Listed as 1 of the top 10 contest-winning scripts in the Animation Category 
* 2009  International Family Film Festival - Winner for “Toucan You Can!” - (Category - Short
    Animated Screenplays) and Finalist for “Kheng Kheng Crocodile” (Category - Musical Screenplays)

* 2009 Cinema City International Film Festival - Finalist for “Toucans of the Amazon” (Category -
    Feature Screenplays) and “Toucan You Can!” (Category -TV
Pilots)  

* 2008 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting - Quarterfinalist for “Kheng Kheng Crocodile”

* 2008
Moondance Film Festival -Winner - Calypso Award for “Toucans of the Amazon” 
    (Category - Screenplays for Kids)
* 2008 Chicago Scriptworks - Winner for “Kheng Kheng Crocodile”
*
2008 Writers Place Screenwriting Contest - Winner (3rd Place) for “Toucan You Can!” 
   
(Category - Teleplays/Shorts)
* 2008 Worldfest Houston Film Festival - Winner - Bronze Remi for “Toucans of the Amazon” 
    (Family Category) 
* 2008 The Writers Place Screenwriting Contest - Finalist for “Kheng Kheng Crocodile”
* 2008 Moondance International Film Festival - Finalist for “Find That Coopoo!” 
   
(Category - TV Pilots for Kids)
* 2008 Kids First Film and Video Festival - Jury Selection and Best of Fest Nominee for
“Kheng Kheng 
   Crocodile” 
(Category - Screenplays)
* 2008 Red Inkworks Screenplay Contest - Finalist for “Toucans of the Amazon”
*
2008 Acclaim Film and Television Script Contest - Finalist for “Toucans of the Amazon”  and
    Semifinalist for "Kheng Kheng Crocodile”

Songwriting Honors
* 2008 Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest -Winner - 3rd Place for "Hey Baby Llama," and
  
Semifinalist  for "Toucan You Can" and "My Malamute" - (Category - Children's/Novelty) 
* 2008 Billboard Song Contest - Winner - Honorable Mention for “You Mean So Much To Me”
* 2007 Billboard Song Contest - Winner - Honorable Mention for “The Wind” (Folk Category) &
   “Music Carry Me” (Country Category) 
* 2007 Unisong International Songwriting Contest - Finalist for "My Samlor" (Children's Category)
* 2007 Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest - Semi-Finalist  
    (Children's Category) for "Kheng Kheng Crocodile," "Joey," & "Platypus" 
* 2007 The Great American Song Contest - Winner-Honor Award - for “My Pockets”
* 2007  USA Songwriting Competition - Winner - Honor Award - for “Joey” (Children’s Category)
* 2007 Singer Songwriter Awards - Winner - Honorable Mention for “My Pockets” (Children’s  
    Category)
* 2007 Unisong International Songwriting Contest - Finalist for “My Samlor” (Children’s Category)
* 2004 iParenting Media Award -Winner 
* 2004 NAPPA (National Parenting Publications) -Winner - Honors Award


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.  
        

 

Adults enjoy the humor and imagery of the songs and,
they too, find themselves singing along. Many are
pleasantly surprised that Donna's lyrics can be informative
and stimulate questions and learning. The album also
features pretty harmonies, delightful children's voices,
real bird and animal sounds and skillful guitar, piano
and harmonica solos.

 

Writing Honors (Contd.)
* 2008 Filmmakers International Screenwriting Awards -Quarterfinalist for
   
“Toucans of the Amazon”
* 2008 All Access Screenwriting Contest
- Quarterfinalist for 
   “Toucans of the Amazon” Semifinalists and Finalists announced soon.
* 2007 Moondance International Film Festival - Winner for "Kheng Kheng 
   Crocodile" and Finalist for "Toucans of the Amazon" (Category - Feature
   Screenplays for Kids)
* 2007 Worldfest Houston Film Festival - Winner - Bronze Remi for “Kheng 
   Kheng Crocodile,” ( Musical Screenplay - Family Category)

* 2007 Writers Place Screenplay Contest - Finalist for “Toucans of the 
   Amazon” 
* 2007 The Brass Brad Screenwriting Competition - Semi-Finalist for   
   "Kheng  Kheng Crocodile. "

* 2007 American Screenwriters Association Screenwriting Competition - 
   Quarterfinalist for "
Kheng Kheng Crocodile" 

* 2007 The Fade-In Screenwriting Awards - Semi-Finalist for “Toucans of the 
   Amazon” 

* 2006  Extreme Screenwriting Contest - Winner for "Kheng Kheng 
   Crocodile" (Category - Wild Card)
* 2006 Moondance International Film Festival - Winner for  "Kheng Kheng  
   Crocodile"  (Category - Short Screenplays for Kids)

* ADDITIONAL WRITING & SONGWRITING HONORS LISTED AFTER TEXT


Donna's stories are full of lively characters, adventures, and fantasy. Several of them were written to compliment an accompanying song. Toucans of the Rainforest is a spin-off of the title song from Donna's album, Toucan You Can. Some of her stories feature exotic and unusual settings, such as Kheng Kheng Crocodile, which takes place in a village in Thailand. These stories can feature beautiful illustrations, two examples of this may be seen in the clay sculpture photographs at right. Donna has written two award-winning animated feature-length screenplays, Kheng Kheng Crocodile and Toucans of the Amazon, they include accompanying songs. She has also written a pilot, Find That Coopoo, for her children's television series, Toucan You Can. Donna has several film and television projects in development.


 
Created by Donna Lisa & 
   Bix Pix Entertainment, Inc.


                 Created by Donna Lisa & 
                 Bix Pix Entertainment, Inc.

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." 
Mr. Makin stated, "She (Donna Lisa) doesn't write the typical brain-draining sap that often passes for children's entertainment. She writes sophisticated melodies, catchy beats and
edu-taining lyrics that won't go over kids heads.

Besides the bird honored by the delicious calypso - flavored title, Toucan You Can features such animal tales as Oliver Otter, My Malamute, My Beastie, Hey Baby Llama and Mi Caballo, an excellent original tune about a horse."

                 


Photo by Cheri Rogowsky.


Photo by Cindy Gold.

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

DonnaLisa4Kids@aol.com

 
 
 
 
 

This page was last updated: April 7th, 2009