Purple Songs Can Fly-logo

Purple Songs Can Fly

VoiceAmerica

Purple Songs Can Fly is a unique program that provides a musical outlet for the many children being treated for cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. In this program, which is the first of its kind, the children work with founder, Anita Kruse and other professional composers to write and record their own songs. In an in-house studio, composers work with the children and their siblings to write, record, and burn songs to disc within short sessions. As patients in the Cancer Center, Zachary and Emily have written many songs with Purple Songs Can Fly and have inspiring perspectives on life that will touch your heart. Enjoy interviews with doctors, nurses, friends, family, special guests, and the many children who have written songs during their treatment. Be sure to tune in for Purple Songs Can Fly every Monday at 3 PM Pacific Time on the VoiceAmerica Kids Channel.

Location:

Houston, TX

Networks:

VoiceAmerica

Description:

Purple Songs Can Fly is a unique program that provides a musical outlet for the many children being treated for cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. In this program, which is the first of its kind, the children work with founder, Anita Kruse and other professional composers to write and record their own songs. In an in-house studio, composers work with the children and their siblings to write, record, and burn songs to disc within short sessions. As patients in the Cancer Center, Zachary and Emily have written many songs with Purple Songs Can Fly and have inspiring perspectives on life that will touch your heart. Enjoy interviews with doctors, nurses, friends, family, special guests, and the many children who have written songs during their treatment. Be sure to tune in for Purple Songs Can Fly every Monday at 3 PM Pacific Time on the VoiceAmerica Kids Channel.

Twitter:

@PurpleSongs

Language:

English

Contact:

4203 Yoakum Boulevard, Suite 200 Houston, TX 77006 713-715-4915


Episodes
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Emily and Dominic interview Dominic’s mother, Linda Dybala,

4/6/2015
Emily and Dominic interview Dominic’s mother, Linda Dybala, who shares the story of her journey with Dominic in his treatment for leukemia. Poignant, touching, humorous, and down-to-earth, hers is a heart-warming account of how to face life’s toughest challenges. The songs of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly accent each segment of the show. Enjoy.

Duration:00:55:00

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Dr. Mehmet Fatih Okcu Pediatric Hematologist, Oncologist,

2/23/2015
Researcher, TXCH Emily and Dominic interview one of Emily’s doctors, Mehmet Fatih Okcu.Dr. Okcu is the director of research in the long-term survivor program concentrating on children who are survivors of acute leukemia and brain tumors.Listen in as Dr. Okcu shares his work, his research and his love of music. (He even sings Turkish folk song for us) And as always, enjoy the music in the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:55:00

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Dr. Mehmet Fatih Okcu – Pediatric Hematologist, Oncologist,

1/5/2015
Emily and Dominic interview one of Emily’s doctors, Mehmet Fatih Okcu. Dr. Okcu is the director of research in the long-term survivor program concentrating on children who are survivors of acute leukemia and brain tumors. Learn more about the importance of research in our lives with Dr. Okcu and, as always, enjoy the music in the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:55:00

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Purple Songs with Guest Carol Herron, Arts in Medicine Coordinator, TXCH

12/8/2014
The Arts are thriving at Texas Children’s Hospital! From visual arts (“Making a Mark”), to creative writing (“The Splendid Review”), to our own songwriting (“Purple Songs Can Fly”) artists and performers share their talents with our patients and families. Zachary interviews Carol Herron, Coordinator of the Arts in Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Hospital. Enjoy the results of Arts in Medicine in the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:55:00

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Caring is the most important quality of all. Pat Gardner, Nurse

11/3/2014
Caring is the most important quality of all. Zachary interviews Pat Gardner, Hematology Nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital. Learn about a day in the life of a nurse and why nurses are the heart of a hospital. And as always, enjoy the music of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:55:00

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Emily and Dominic interview long-term cancer survivor, Stephen Makia

10/6/2014
Stephen Makia, Long-term Cancer Survivor, SongwriterEmily and Dominic interview long-term cancer survivor, Stephen Makia. Now 20 years old, Stephen has been a part of the Purple Songs family for eight years. Stephen shares his experiences including what it’s like being an identical twin, the story behind the two songs he has written and what it was like to perform with Olivia Newton-John in 2009. Enjoy Stephen’s songs along with other songs of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:54:59

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Julie Lytle, Music Therapist

9/8/2014
What kind of musical instrument is a sogeum? A charango? A doumbek? Find out as Emily and Dominic interview Music Therapist and Purple Songs Inpatient Songwriter, Julie Lytle. Julie has worked around the world, collecting musical instruments from countries along the way. In this episode, Julie discusses her work and demonstrates the enchanting sounds of these instruments with us. Discover some new sounds and enjoy the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:54:59

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Emily and Dominic in Conversation with Carol Younkin

8/4/2014
Emily and Dominic interview Purple Songs Can Fly Radio producer Carol Younkin. While living in various places around the world, Carol has spent her life working in the Performing Arts as an actor, musician, writer and teacher. Find out more about careers in the arts enjoy the songs from the children of Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:54:59

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A Conversation with Christian Spear

7/7/2014
Learn more about our newest addition to the Purple Songs Can Fly family as Emily and Dominic interview guest and Purple Songs Can Fly fellow, Christian Spear. Christian is a student at LSU, a veteran of American Idol and a long-term cancer survivor. As always, enjoy the songs of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly! As an extra special treat, see why Christian was an American Idol finalist as she performs a new original song LIVE in our studio!

Duration:00:54:59

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Emily, Zach and Dominic with Catherine Taylor and Anita Kruse

6/9/2014
Catherine and Anita compare and contrast their work in the field of music and share their experiences watching the power of music work wonders in the lives of others. Learn how these artists use music as both therapy and a means of self-expression in their daily work. And enjoy the songs of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:54:59

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Catherine Taylor a Music Therapist.

5/12/2014
What is a Music Therapist and what does a Music Therapist do? Emily, Zachary and Dominic find out as they interview guest Catherine Taylor about her work as a Music Therapist, Actress and Singer. Tune in to the conversation with this dynamic guest to learn about the therapeutic power of music and enjoy the songs of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:54:59

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A New Addition to our Cast Meet Donminic

4/14/2014
Emily and Zachary interview Dominic, a new addition to our cast of awesome radio show hosts! Dominic shares his interests in history, the Japanese language and haiku, his favorite books, and his experiences at Texas Children’s Hospital. Welcome to Voice America Kids, Dominic!

Duration:00:54:59

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Emily and Zachary interview Dana Swan Child Life Specialist

3/17/2014
Emily and Zachary interview Dana Swan, Child Life Specialist, who helps patients at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers by reducing the stress and anxiety that many children and adolescents experience in hospital and healthcare settings. Learn about a day in the life of a Child Life Specialist and the power of the universal language of play. And as always, enjoy the music of the children from Purple Songs Can Fly!

Duration:00:55:00

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Purple Songs Can Fly hosts, Zachary and Emily introduce their favorite purple songs.

2/17/2014
Purple Songs Can Fly hosts, Zachary and Emily introduce their favorite purple songs.

Duration:00:55:00

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Zachary's first semester of college

1/13/2014
Purple Songs Can Fly hosts, Zachary Tavlin and Emily Freeman discuss Zachary's first semester of college and Emily's solo interviews while Zachary was away. The purple songs that end each segment are, Always Remembering by Simran, I Can by Alex, Life Is Like A Ride by Jerry and Precious, and On My Path To Another World by Jasmine.

Duration:00:54:59

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Emily Freeman Interviews Child Life Specialist Breanna Murray

12/9/2013
Purple Songs Can Fly host, Emily Freeman interviews Breanna Murray, the Child Life Specialist at Texas Children's Cancer Center who helped Emily and her family through their journey with cancer treatment.The purple songs that end each segment are, Oh, What A Great Christmastime by Kristan, Letter To Santa by Teresa, Christmas Is Coming by Mirtha & Sayda, and Pink And Purple Horsie by Emma Grace.

Duration:00:55:00

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Emily Freeman Interviews Fellow Cancer Patient Erika Alvarado

11/18/2013
Purple Songs Can Fly host, Emily Freeman interviews Erika Alvarado, a fellow cancer patient at Texas Childrens Hospital, to discuss their journeys through cancer treatment and messages of hope.The purple songs that end each segment are, Pearl Inside by Megan, Friends In A Circle Of Nine by Caroline, Is She Really My Sister? by Raymie, and Erika's own purple song, What Makes Life Beautiful.

Duration:00:55:00

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Emily Freeman and Zachary Tavlin interview Zachary's mother and grandmother, and discuss the challenges of Zachary's chronic blood disorder.

10/21/2013
The purple songs that end each segment are, Life Is Like A Ride by Jerry and Precious, I Call Her Ma Ma by Jared, A Smile Can Change Anything by Jonathan, and If I Didn't Have You by Christian.

Duration:00:55:00

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Purple Songs Can Fly hosts, Emily Freeman and Zachary Tavlin interview Dr. Scott Parazynski about his Mount Everest climbs.

9/16/2013
Scott Parazynski is a physician and former NASA astronaut. A veteran of five Space Shuttle flights and seven spacewalks, Scott took Purple Songs Can Fly compilations on his final Space Shuttle mission as well as on his Mount Everest climbs. The Purple Songs that end each segment are Nikki’s, “God Can Move Mountains”, Emily’s, “I Wanna Get Back Up On Top”, Erik’s, “Gonna Be Free”, and Stephen’s, “I Can Make It”.

Duration:00:55:00

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Emily's Journey of Conquering Brain Cancer.

8/19/2013
Purple Songs Can Fly hosts, Emily Freeman and Zachary Tavlin interview Emily's parents and discuss Emily's journey of conquering brain cancer. The Purple Songs that end each segment are Jarhea's, My Mom's The Best Mom In The Whole Wide World, Jaslynn's, My Daddy, Leslie's, Being Invincible, and Jessica & Angelica's, The God In My Heart.

Duration:00:50:00