Today we’d like to introduce you to Willie Harper.
Hi Willie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I never thought parenthood would lead me to create a puppet show. As an 80’s kid, growing up watching the muppets and learning life lessons through Sesame Street helped to show me that learning can be fun. In 2011, I randomly drew two puppet characters on a paper napkin during my lunch break and showed my then co-worker, who was also my business partner at the time, my puppet drawing. I then left the napkin in my back pocket. In 2012, my co-worker/business partner randomly asked me what happened with the puppet drawing and if I had made any additional progress. I told him progress still needs to be made. In the summer of 2012, my co-worker/business partner placed bets with another co-worker and me on a weekly challenge in which we had to show progress updates with our projects or lose money. I ended up winning the weekly challenge. End of 2012, I left Orlando and moved to Tampa. In 2014, my daughter had difficulty retaining her guitar and keyboard lessons. In 2015, I retooled my old puppet drawings, invested in bringing the puppets into a live-action design, and began my journey into music education with puppetry.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road was bumpy, especially in the beginning. I am not a songwriter or a certified music teacher, but I am a parent. I collaborated with my daughter’s music teacher and school board members to better understand how the lessons were taught. I partnered with a music producer I’ve known for years and my business partner to help me create a show about music education.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I run my own video production company, Monkey Tongue Production, LLC. We specialize in producing high-quality original content for all ages. I am very proud of my company as we have achieved numerous awards and want to expand our brand.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Our Puppet Show, “Needlz & Skratch,” is in the beginning stages of filming our pilot episode. Our YouTube channel is constantly updated with new videos to show preschoolers that learning can be fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: Needlzandskratch.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/needlzandskratch
- Facebook: – https://www.facebook.com/needlzandskratch
- Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/willielharper
- Youtube: YouTube.com/@needlzandskratch
Image Credits
Willie Harper, Niel J., Guilarte DeNicea, Hilton Harper
