Laurie Berkner Returns to Peekskill with Family-Friendly Concert

Laurie Berkner, widely known as the “queen of kids’ music,” is bringing her “Greatest Hits” solo show to the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater on Sunday, May 3, with performances at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., including a sensory-friendly option designed to make the experience accessible to all families.

Berkner’s path into children’s music began in an unexpected way. Early in her career, she split her time between playing in rock bands at night and working as a preschool music teacher during the day. That contrast eventually led to a turning point.

“I just remember thinking… ‘Why am I even here?’” she said, recalling a late-night bar performance.

The following day, performing at a children’s birthday party offered a different kind of energy — one that stuck.

“It is so much nicer to have people want to hear music that I’ve written,” she said.

That experience led her to leave the cover band scene behind and focus on writing and performing for children, a decision she said “made me a lot happier.”

Her background as a teacher continues to shape her work. Berkner builds her songs with participation in mind, often incorporating movement and call-and-response elements to engage young listeners.

“I want to see that they’re actually doing it… and that they get it,” she said.

At the same time, her music is designed to resonate with parents as well.

“Oh yeah, that’s very intentional,” she said.

Over the years, Berkner has adapted alongside major changes in the music industry, from cassettes and CDs to streaming and YouTube, where her work now reaches millions of families worldwide.

Her Peekskill performance will feature a mix of classic songs like “We Are the Dinosaurs” and “The Goldfish,” along with newer material and lesser-performed favorites.

The earlier sensory-friendly show will offer a more flexible environment, with adjusted lighting and sound and a welcoming, judgment-free space for audience members to move and engage as needed.

For Berkner, the goal remains the same as when she first made the shift into children’s music: creating a shared experience that connects families.

“There’s this incredible connection… between adults and kids,” she said.

Tickets for both performances are available through the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater.