Cousin Molly is performed by Laura Thomas of Toronto, Canada.
Laura has been involved with music since the tender age of 7 but did not make it her career until after working as an Industrial Microbiologist for some 6 years. Although most of her adult audiences don't know she is also Cousin Molly, she has for many years been involved with music for children.
As a child Laura sang in choirs, studied vocal music taking exams at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and performed in numerous musicals. At age 7 Laura performed in The Sound of Music as the youngest sister Gretl and later at aged 19 performed the lead role in The Sound of Music as Maria Von Trapp.
As a teenager, Laura spent many hours babysitting ......especially one family with 4 children. She also worked for several summers as a Day Camp Counsellor for the Toronto area YMCA Day Camps. She worked both at Greenwood Conservation Area as well as at Toronto Island Camp on Ward's Island. At camp Laura learned many songs, arts and crafts, stories and games with the children.
As a young adult Laura was the Choir director of The Kew Beach United Church Junior Choir. Once a week Laura joined 30 girls aged 8-12 for a varied music program. The girls learned songs and the rudiments of music from Laura. The girls also performed in Church as well as at Toronto Music Festivals.
Later when Laura was busy working full-time as an entertainer in clubs in Toronto she was asked to work at Chudleigh's Apple Farm. Laura became 'Cousin Molly' and that's how Laura got started focusing on children's music as part of her livelihood. Every Saturday Laura would dress-up as Cousin Molly and do 'walk around' music for the patrons at Chudleigh's. Her favourite spot was keeping the folks waiting for their hay rides
and apple picking entertained. She had the most unlikely groups of people entertained in the hot sun with a round of "There Ain't No Flies On Us!!!". One group would yell to the other .....There ain't no flies on us
There ain't no flies on us
There might be flies on some of you guys
But there ain't no flies on us!!!!
...........Louder and Louder and Louder.......
In the past several years Laura has played numerous shows and festivals as Cousin Molly. They have inculded shows at The Eaglewood Festival, The Caledon Folk Festival, The Children's Aid Society Christmas party, The Burlington Family Fun Day, 4 shows for Chapters Book Stores in Toronto during Easter break as well as many others.
Laura also has become more and more involved in teaching music to young children ages 2-5 years old. Loaded up with puppets, instruments, pictures and other surprises, Laura has taught music to little people in Toronto, Branson, Missouri and now in Berlin, Germany. In Toronto she was the music teacher at The Hester How Learning Centre at Toronto's City Hall daycare. She also honed her skills being a stand-in for the infamous Jane Harvey .....who specializes in music for very young children. Thanks Jane!!
While living in Branson, Missouri in 2001 Laura recorded what will soon be released in Toronto ..........her first children's CD. 'Comin' 'Round The Mountain' is a fun collection
of favourite nursery rhymes. Laura is joined by her musical friends from Branson. You can also hear fiddle, bass, mandolin, banjo, guitar, dulcimers and more on this recording. One special guest on the CD is 'Banjo Millie'. Millie is an 84 year old banjo player who plays 2-4 gigs a week and will get you tapping your toe before you know it!
Laura also donated many music shows to the First Baptist Learning Center in Branson. You can hear these children on 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".
Cousin Molly's next stop has been Berlin, Germany! In Berlin Laura dabbled in a new adventure.......teaching english and music to german speaking children! Laura has learned alot about communication and learning a new language by trading new words with the 2-5 year old children at 2 daycare centers in Berlin. Through the use of puppets, pictures, songs, instruments and more, Laura is able to teach these little people their first music lessons as well as their first words in English. It is a real give-and-take relationship........Laura learns german and the children learn music and english! Laura has donated over 50 music shows to the Children of Berlin and her german is getting pretty good too!
Laura is always interested in sharing her music and knowledge with children. Her aim is to peak a child's interest in music and open up their world to what can be a life-long enjoyment. Laura believes that music is for everyone! She especially likes the challenge of entertaining while teaching these special little people and is always looking for new ways to share her music in a way that reaches them.
Recently Laura relocated to the Brampton, Ontario area and she is now performing in schools in Peel. Laura has joined up with PLASP (The Peel Lunch & Afterschool Program) and has performed for more than 130 PLASP schools in Peel. For PLASP she usually doesn't dress up as Cousin Molly but instead presents a more mature
presentation for kindergarden to grade 8's about The Secrets of Instruments! At this new show Laura sings, performs on many instruments, has the children singing and playing and gets the children excited about music!
Cousin Molly wishes you a great musical experience!!
l
