We are thrilled to add a new specialist to our blog this week! DARIA is a multicultural children's performer and educator that has numerous resources to share with early educators. Award-winning children’s performer, DARIA (Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou) has five CD’s that have won national honors. She has the most awesome job of traveling the world to sing for kids and peace.

A few excerpts from her bio include:

• Daria has traveled around the world to create music that uplifts and empowers.

• Daria has recorded and released four children’s music CD’s which all share a vision of a world of dignity and respect for all peoples.

• A 2008 and 2007 “Parent’s Choice“ winner, all of Daria’s CD’s are currently being played around the globe from Australia, to South Africa, to Europe and South America as well as across the US in homes, preschools, schools and on several Native American Reservations.

• In the United States, she has won national awards for her children's CD's including a Parent’s Choice Award, a NAPPA (National Association For Parenting Publications) Award and a Children's Music Web Award.

• Daria holds a degree in ethnomusicology and is active in Education, Special Education, Native American, Peace and Children’s issues.

Daria will be sharing with us lots of great ways to have fun with music, how to build your own instruments, discover silly songs and other multi-cultural projects as a contributor to our blog. We feel Daria will be a wonderful addition to our blog, and we are really looking forward to learning about how we can bring more music and culture into our programs!