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Kumalo feels her daughters benefit from the diversity on Long Island and its proximity to great programming in the New York City area. Because of their extensive travel, their South African father and her own ability to speak six languages, Kumalo's girls have been exposed to a wealth of influences.
Kumalo invites other children along with her own to sing background vocals. She notes that these kids and teens aren't professionals, but many of them have gone on to pursue musical careers. She frequently has them perform with her onstage as well, to give them a taste of singing in front of crowds.
Kumalo also gives back to the community by speaking at high school career days, where, she says, "performing arts careers are often woefully underrepresented." She wants kids to realize that there's a lot of work out there for performing artists. Many aspiring musicians aim for TV — but Kumalo tries to impress on her young proteges: "That limits you".
Meant to motivate and inspire, Music Makes Me Happy ranges from original songs like the Calypso-inspired Summer's Here, and the blues-y Got Me Laughing Blues, to adaptations of My Favorite Things and The Legend of John Henry.
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