An acclaimed children's songwriter, performer and music educator, Vanessa recently released a CD of original songs entitled "Hot Air Balloon" which has been awarded the Parents' Choice 2006 Silver Award and an iParenting Media Award along with positive reviews in the magazines Parenting and Family Fun, and last February, she was featured in a full page story in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. "I'm really conscious of trying to make music that parents can enjoy, too," says Vanessa, whose love of folk, pop, blues, jazz and world music is evident throughout every song on "Hot Air Balloon." "The idea was not to create a kids' album, but to create good music with kid-friendly lyrics and sophisticated, interesting instrumentation." Vanessa has a master's degree in education from Harvard University, but she never lets her credentials get in the way of having fun. When she channels Chuck Berry and launches into a tune like "Rockin' Rocket," this teacher's lesson plan is simple: Let the good times roll! www.vanessatrien.com