ABOUT MELODEON…

Melodeon is an education program for young music enthusiasts of all ages. The brainchild of Tracy Bonham, a classically trained violinist, pianist and self taught guitarist who rose to prominence as a rock star in the 90s, Melodeon is inspired by the educational programs of the 1970s; Electric Company, Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, and School House Rock. A joyous celebration of music and movement, Bonham’s passion for music theory, harmony and the emotional well being of children is the foundation of Melodeon. The classes will teach your child the basic fundamentals of music while fostering a sense of confidence and a passion for learning.

In March of 2020 Tracy and her bassist / musical collaborator, Rene Hart, were on tour with plans to record Tracy’s next album right after the tour... we all know what happened next. As they flew back home to New York on an empty plane Tracy made the decision to focus on Melodeon, which she had been quietly developing for several years. Once back in New York Tracy and Rene, along with Tracy’s former student Jasmyne Lawrence-Hart, began production on the program, making it accessible online. During quarantine, in the time of the pandemic, they live streamed 100’s of classes for children joining the worldwide effort to find creative and meaningful ways of educating and inspiring children while maintaining a sense of community during isolation.

Before and after the pandemic, an integral part of developing the program has been working in the classroom with students at The Brooklyn Preschool of Science. Bonham’s approach to teaching is light hearted and humorous while encouraging children to connect to the music in their heart. Children embark on a musical journey with original Melodeon songs, stories, and games. For example, “All The Blackbirds” is a timeless melody whose lyrics instruct students how to play the song on the black keys of a piano, using an illustration of 5 blackbirds on a tree branch “sitting in groups of two and groups of three”. Songs like “I Am A Movable Do” and “Beats To A Measure” are comical songs that teach the concept of Solfeggio (do, re, mi) and different time signatures. Rattlesnake, and Let’s Take The Subway are fun songs that get their bodies moving.

While the classroom is currently Bonham’s “laboratory” to find what really works with the children, she and Rene are creating something larger to be released into the world. Melodeon will be an interactive on-line educational experience for families, schools, homeschoolers, and more.

TRACY BONHAM…

Two time GRAMMY® nominee Tracy Bonham is a classically trained violinist and pianist-turned alt rock singer-songwriter. All the while Bonham has maintained her foundational approach to music; the discipline of practice and the joy performance. Her album, Modern Burdens, made Rolling Stone’s Top 50 albums of 2017, which they describe as “a lovingly penned postcard to Bonham’s past self, and a fascinating look at where she’s at right now.” Tracy Bonham is an artist who has never ceased growing and has never stopped challenging herself, her own talents, or her audience.

Bonham’s debut, The Burdens of Being Upright, achieved Gold Record status in 1996, spawning the chart-topping hit “Mother Mother.” A pair of Grammy™ nominations followed, along with an MTV Video Award nomination for the single, which has remained a powerful anthem for the disenfranchised and isolated.

Bonham has released six more albums to wide critical acclaim and has toured with Blue Man Group and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno multiple times.

RENE HART…

Bassist Rene Hart is a unique musician who draws from a wide range of influences. Growing up in a family of educators, artists and lawyers gave Rene an enthusiasm for learning and knowledge that has never dimmed. Rene has toured the world extensively, performing in venues prestigious and otherwise - from Lincoln Center and The Milan Opera House to between two clothing racks in the Burlington Coat Factory - with artists from the American Jazz tradition, rock/pop/folk and experimental fields including; David Amram, Dakota Staton, James Hunter, Branford Marsalis, Pete Seeger, Benny Golson, Tracy Bonham, Julian Priester, Steven Bernstein, Eyvind Kang, Wayne Horvitz, Janis Ian, Mark Ronson, Paquito D’Rivera, and Butch Morris and many others.

Rene credits his real world experiences performing with mentors, often several generations older, and teaching young people as the key factors in his musical education. He also studied at Berklee College of Music and Cornish School of The Arts. Rene has been part of New York’s Jazz Discovery program for young people for 15 years. 

Rene is also a visual artist and his artwork and video work has become an integral part of Melodeon.

"Constantly creative... he has the rare ability to both be a soloist of major importance and make everyone he plays with sound better" - David Amram   

“...adventurous but grounded”  - New York Times