Mama Pajama
Singer-songwriter & Children's Artist, Kimberly Privler is Mama Pajama, owner/founder of Dream Girl Publishing, LLC and Mama Pajama’s Playhouse. Kimberly grew up in the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachusetts where she loved participating in her school chorus and show choir. Following high school, she studied theater and music at Berkshire Community College, attended classes & workshops, wrote music, and sang in local bands. In the late 1980's, Kimberly recorded with the very talented and respected Albany area composer, jingle writer, and music producer, Nancy Wade. In addition to a few original songs, Ms. Wade hired Kimberly to sing with Jay Traynor (of Jay and the Americans fame) on a recording project for a promotional song for the city of Troy, NY. In 1990, Kimberly continued to sing, and act, working as a television and film extra for the better part of a decade. She can be seen in television shows, commercials, music videos and motion pictures throughout the 1990's. Look at an old episode of Beverly Hills 90210 and you're likely to find her on your television screen. Ms. Privler studied music at Los Angeles City College and was the first runner-up in the prestigious David A. Alpert Scholarship competition. She is a graduate of the New School of Radio and Television in Albany, New York. Kimberly's broadcasting jobs included: traffic reporter, radio news anchor and writer, DJ, announcer, radio production director, copywriter, and voice-over talent. Then known as Kim Lion, her on-air and voice-over work could be heard on Anastos Media's (WQAR, WABY, and WVKZ) in the capital region. (Albany, NY) and on some Boston, MA stations. As a children's artist, Kimberly has written hundreds of children’s songs as well as several children's books. When she's not writing, recording, or performing, Kimberly enjoys spending time with family and friends and her mi-ki, Lucy Rose. She loves writing, playing piano, singing, power-walking, genealogy, reading, "mission hopping,” healthy cooking, being a Christian, and travel. Please send fan-mail for Mama Pajama to: kim@mamapajama.com.
Rockin' Raabe
Meet Mama Pajama's Featured Guitarist and Vocalist, Austin "Rockin" Raabe! Austin is currently a sophomore at Belmont University and is also a member of the university's Honors Program, working towards a degree in Commercial Music (Voice) with an Emphasis in Music Business. Austin grew up performing with the Playhouse from the age of 5, playing for children like himself all around Central New York. Austin began his study of piano with Mama herself at the age of 2. Since then, his studies have continued at Belmont under Mrs. Allison Sharp, Mr. Eric Burgett, and currently Ms. Julia Kwak. He began his study of guitar at the age of 8 through Apex Musical Instruction under Mr. Jay Gould. While he was growing up in the walls of the Playhouse, Austin was exposed to a variety of music through the North Syracuse Central School District. Through the district's esteemed music program, Austin studied the double bass under Mrs. Suzanne Stephenson, Mrs. Darcie Bowden, and Mr. John Harnois for 8 years, participated in the Area All State program (on bass), performed in Chamber and Popular String Ensembles, directed by Mrs. Darcie Bowden and Mr. John Harnois, sang in Honors Choir, and Vocal Jazz, directed by Mrs. Caryn Patterson and Mrs. Danielle Rausa, performed in the All State Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ms. Rosana Eckert, attended a vocal jazz clinic, led by Mr. Kirby Shaw, and performed in the National Youth Choir at Carnegie Hall, directed by Dr. Eph Ehly. These experiences allowed Austin to grow and develop his musicianship both in and out of the Playhouse across a variety of genres of music. This ultimately led him to his current location of study in Nashville, Tennessee. His current musical endeavors include singing, arranging, and assistant directing for the Belmont Pops Ensemble, directed by Mrs. Bailey Rankin, a Belmont graduate. Austin has studied Classical Voice under Mrs. Mary Bates George and has studied Commercial Voice under Mr. James Wigginton, Ms. Kathryn Paradise, and Mrs. Sandra Dudley. As a result of his participation in the Belmont Honors Program, Austin will be studying abroad from January through May of 2022 at Queen's University Belfast located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We are all excited to see where these opportunities will eventually lead Austin in his music career! When he's not working on music, Austin enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, cooking, making homemade cards, photography, and making videos for his own YouTube channel, RockinRaabe.