Grammy winner Hull trumpets ‘Peace’ on her newest release

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 | 8:23 a.m.

In 1994 Grammy Award-winning songwriter Bunny Hull decided that she wanted to teach children in her Los Angeles community positive values and self-esteem through music.

But when searching record stores to find music relating to her objective, Hull couldn't find much of anything. As a music maker and songwriter, she decided to throw something together.

The program proved fruitful and Hull has continued the effort.

Since then she has created the multicultural label Kids Creative Classics, and has released six children's recordings of original songs, ranging from a cassette tape and activity pack, which are designed to teach children the alphabet (while teaching them positive affirmations), to a collection of songs designed to embrace life and enhance self-esteem.

A native Las Vegan who attended Our Lady of Grace Catholic School and Bishop Gorman High School, Hull is conducting workshops today at local Robert E. Lake and Ruby Thomas elementary schools.

On Wednesday she will perform music from her newest release, "Peace in Our Land: Children Celebrating Diversity," at the Charleston Heights Arts Center to open "New Kid," a play about diversity that teaches tolerance and understanding.

The issues of tolerance and understanding are addressed in the workshops that Hull began in Los Angeles six months ago.

The workshops use poetry, conversation, art and exercises that show kindness. During a "friendship chain" a child turns to the child next to him or her and says something nice about that person.

"The kids really respond to it," Hull said, referring to the workshops. "It brings them together to celebrate the arts in a different way.

"It's teaching children to accept each other through their difference and honor what is the same about them," she added. "Kids are so involved in peer pressure that they sometimes forget to learn the beauty of what makes them different."

In keeping with the theme of her most recent CD, Hull created the "A Drop of Peace" contest, which asks children ages 5 to 10 to create a poem and drawing of their vision of peace.

Hull will write music for, and record, the winning poem. The winning artwork will be featured in the International ChildArt Foundation's quarterly magazine.

The contest is free and continues through Aug. 20. Entries can be found on the website brassheartmusic.com.

After high school Hull moved to Los Angeles and began her music career. She writes music for television and movies and co-wrote the 1986 hit song "New Attitude" by Patti LaBelle.

She owns the publishing company BrassHeart Music and has sung background vocals and worked on dozens of albums for such entertainers as Anita Baker, Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin and Bette Midler.

Even with the connection to stars, Hull said she still enjoys working with young children.

"The kids are so open," she said. "They're very impressionable at this age. You're getting them before all that outside influences."

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