'Droll Le

A Song In Their Hearts,
A Message To Children

BEAKOE sines a happy message to children.

Diane Baldwin
Special to The AppleTree

happy song could be the
key to open up a troubled
mind."
This message comes out loud and
clear and in harmony in a song from
BEAKOE, a new local group that
I focuses on children. BEAKOE
(Become Excited About Keeping Oth-
lers Enthused) is dedicated to writing
and sharing compelling, original
I music about healthy life lessons..
The group's family oriented stage
I show is set in "Harmony Garden,-"
I a peaceful place where - issues like
violence, conflict resolution, hope
and healthy living are addressed.
I Concerts consist of dancing, music,
bright costumes and easy-to-sing-
along-tunes.
BEAKOE started out as a cartoon
I character, created by David Sawic-
I ki of Royal Oak. A printer by pro-
I fession, he has been writing music
I for children for the past eight years.
Five years ago, Sawicki met his
future wife Lisa Lapides, of the Lapi-
ides Publicity Group Inc. They real-
I ized they both wanted to help
spread positive values and feelings
I among youth.
"After kids grow out of the Barney
I phase," Lisa Sawicki says, "they
I have to listen to their older brothers'
I and sisters' music, because there
I isn't anything just for them."
I Although the music of BEAKOE is
appealing to all ages, the target

I Diane Baldwin is a Clarkston-based

freelance writer and mother of 21-
month-old Nicholas.

2,200 cruise-ship passengers when
group is 8 to 13, when it
he sang, "New York, New York" at
isn't yet uncool to be
a talent show).
good, David Sawicki
William plays keyboard, sings
adds. The main mission
and interacts with the audience
of the group is to enable
through speaking parts. His favorite
I children to stop violence
song is "Seize the Moment"
on their own, learn how
because everybody needs to be
to solve problems,
prepared for what's going to hap-
become confident, make
pen, he says.
positive changes and feel
Although he also enjoys listening
respect for themselves
to
classical music and Frank Sina-
I and all human beings.
tra, he finds himself singing the
Lisa and David say they
I
BEAKOE
songs throughout the day.
I know their mission is
William's
parents say they want
I working because people
him to be productive and strive for
say they remember the
excellence; BEAKOE is one way to
songs long after the con-
do that.
: certs end.
The Sawickis believe BEAKOE fills
About nine months ago,
a unique and undiscovered niche in
I David and Lisa added a
society. They plan to continue shar-
few young people to the
ing their message statewide and
group. Enter Sarah Kiper-
eventually
nationally, in hopes of
man and William Scott
gaining a foothold in the music
i of West Bloomfield. Both
The BEAKOE singing group targets its music a
industry. Meanwhile, the group has
attend Abbott Middle
appeared on television and at the
ages 8 to 13.
I School, and even at the
Montrose jazz Festival. Their pop
tender age of 11 have
I ter's interest in both academics and
songs include, "You Stand Out,"
backgrounds in acting and singing.
I theater. She helps Sarah divide her
"Keep Peace in the Hood,"
David and Lisa were "hooked" on
time between BEAKOE rehearsals,
"Healthy Lifestyles," "Exercise Your
Sarah once they heard her "belt out
! Hebrew school, homework and
Brain," "Don't Look Out, Look In"
a Judy Garland song."
other local theater performances,
and "The Safety Song."
Sarah enjoys the singing parts of
including appearances at the Mar-
You may contact BEAKOE at
the performances. Her favorite num-
quis Theater in Northville and
(248) 545-4411 or send a mes-
: ber is "Harmony Garden," a sooth-
Stagecrafters in Royal Oak.
sage
via e-mail to:
ing song where she says, "you feel
William was one of Sarah's
1 beakoe@greatid.com .
! a harmony garden around you and
friends from school whom she rec-
A free family concert will be held to
picture the flowers." Although the
ommended to David and Lisa not
celebrate the release of the new
cast follows a script of sorts, Sarah
only because of his interest in the
I
BEAKOE
cassette and CD. The event
insists, "we say [the speaking parts]
project but because of his singing
I will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday,
• from our hearts."
and acting talent. (William once
Dec. 7, at the Southfield Centre for
Sarah's biggest fan is her mother,
received a standing ovation from
I the Arts, 24350 Southfield Road. ❑
Debbie, who supports her daugh-

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Detroit Jewish News

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