David Heitler-Klevens
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Educator; Performer; Songwriter; Vocalist
Children's; Folk
Bass, Electric;Guitar, Acoustic
1 April 2018
David Heitler-Klevens
IC-US-PA-Philadelphia
TWO OF A KIND are interactive children’s music performers. TWO OF A KIND delights audiences of all ages with their music, good humor and audience participation. David and Jenny Heitler-Klevans of TWO OF A KIND love bringing people together and building community through music. Their beautiful harmonies accompanied by David’s powerful, rhythmic guitar playing and Jenny’s multi-ethnic percussion instruments create magic on stage.
An award-winning husband-wife duo, TWO OF A KIND presents concerts for families and children of all ages, including songs, puppets, movement, and stories – all with an emphasis on interaction and participation. Themes of songs and stories range from reading & books, friendship and animals to social issues such as the environment, conflict resolution and diversity. TWO OF A KIND helps audiences of all ages feel that they can create music and that they can make a difference in the world.
“Our songs are written out of great respect for children – their experiences, their sophistication and their desire to explore big issues. Our goal is to provide quality music that speaks to children and adults, and helps them to become people who make a positive contribution to the world – and to have fun at the same time!”
Award-winning Recordings and Songs
TWO OF A KIND has released 12 recordings; 10 for children & families, and 2 for adults, plus a DVD. Two of a Kind’s recordings have won a total of 20 national awards, including:
6 Parents’ Choice Awards
3 Creative Child Magazine Awards
8 Children’s Music Web Awards
a Kids Radio Mania Awards
Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products Award
In addition, individual songs have won awards:
“Think of it as an Adventure” – Children’s Music Web Award for “Best Song for Younger Children”
“I Have 2 Stomachs” – John Lennon Songwriting Competition winner; finalist in the International Songwriting Competition
“The World is Not Your Garbage Can” – USA Songwriting Competition winner
“Treehugger” – Silver Award in the Children’s Category of the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (MASC)
“We’re All in This Together” – Gold Award in the Children’s Category of the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (MASC)
Why the name TWO OF A KIND?
David and Jenny have been singing together since they met at Oberlin College back in 1986. They found that they had so many things in common, they felt like they had lived parallel lives. They married in 1989. At first they sang in coffee houses and other folk music venues, but after David starting teaching music at an elementary school, they began singing songs for kids. Demand for TWO OF A KIND concerts grew and eventually they quit their day jobs and began performing full-time in 1996. In 1995 their name “Two of a Kind” came true when they had identical twin boys named Ari and Jason. They are very grateful that they did not name their group “10,000 Maniacs” or “The Three Stooges.”
More Information
David taught music to children and adults from 1982 to 1996. David has a degree in Composition from Oberlin Conservatory and has Orff Certification Levels I and II. He was a music specialist in schools in the Philadelphia area for many years and taught music theory at Settlement Music School. Jenny has been singing and dancing all her life. She taught dance at camps and sang in the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir for four years. She also teaches music in pre-schools. Jenny has a Masters degree in Public Health and a background in training, education and creative writing.
TWO OF A KIND is on various artist rosters:
Odyssey Program of the Philadelphia Folksong Society
Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership (PAEP)
David and Jenny are active in the Children’s Music Network (David is currently on the Board of Directors of CMN, and Jenny has served on the board of CMN), the Philadelphia Folksong Society and the People’s Music Network for Songs of Freedom & Struggle. David and Jenny are members of AFM Local 1000 (the North American Traveling Musicians’ Union).
TWO OF A KIND has appeared all over the country at performing arts centers, concert series, folk clubs, festivals, schools, libraries, camps, aquariums, zoos, museums, daycare centers, special events and on radio and television. They have shared the stage with artists such as:
Pete Seeger
Peter, Paul and Mary
Trout Fishing in America
Tom Chapin
Bill Harley
John McCutcheon
Kim & Reggie Harris
Sally Rogers
Magpie
Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
Billy Jonas
TWO OF A KIND looks forward to singing with you!
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