About Jim Gill
“Jim Gill and his music create an environment for learning and laughter. That’s why his music has become a staple amongst the preschool set. Not only are the children learning; they are moving and laughing with the adults in their lives. Jim makes a connection with kids and parents in a very special way, which helps build a special connection between children and their parents. ”
—Susie Vaughan
School Administrator
Plano, TX“In the time that I’ve known and worked with Jim, I have been impressed and pleased by the extent to which his training in early childhood development informs his practice as an author and musician. Play is the business of children. And Jim’s work demonstrates that music is a very natural medium for playful exploration, leading to engaged learning and even creative thinking.”
— Jon Weber
Manager of Learning Programs
The Institute for Learning, Access and Training At the Chicago Symphony Orchestra“Jim is an absolute master at using words and music in creative ways that both children and adults enjoy. When he performed for families here in Oregon they had absolutely the best time ever reading, singing and playing along. Jim takes what seems to be simple, gives it his own twist, and ends up promoting literacy (as well as music) while everyone is having fun—TOGETHER!”
— Heather McNeil
Youth Services Manager/Deschutes Public Library
Bend, OR“I’ve spent my career finding good ways for adults and children to play together. Adult-child play enriches the play experience, and helps to build strong emotional bonds. I’ve known and worked with Jim Gill for more than 20 years. His music play provides a unique and compelling way for adults and children to spend happy, active time together.”
—Mary Sinker
Children’s Museum Family Experience Specialist
Jim Gill is a musician and author with unique credentials among children’s artists. Jim is a child development specialist, having completed his graduate studies in child development at the Erikson Institute of Chicago with a special emphasis on the study of play. For this reason, each of Jim’s recordings and books is created as an opportunity for playful interactions between a child and a caring adult.
Jim has won acclaim for bringing the same emphasis on family play to his live concerts. Anyone who has ever attended one of Jim’s family concerts knows that rather than performing for the children and parents, Jim leads them to sing and play together.
Jim has released six award-winning CDs of music play for young children that are favorites in family rooms, classrooms and playrooms. He is also the author of two children's books. His latest, A Soup Opera, is a sing-along opera inspired by concerts that Jim performs with symphony orchestras. The book received an American Library Association award in 2010. Jim has received four separate awards from the American Library Association for his recordings and books over the years.
Jim speaks to early childhood educators, care providers and children’s librarians across the country about the many benefits of play in young children’s lives. Jim has shared his expertise on music, play and literacy with organizations such as Head Start, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Association for Family Child Care and, most recently, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.