by Julia Pautz
Tell us about your profession – you’re a teacher correct?
Yes, I teach classroom music to grades K – 4. For many years, I was a fulltime professional musician, performing solo and with my band throughout the U.S. and abroad – plus, performing lots of different styles of music with various other bands. I returned to teaching when I became a mom.
Do you play an instrument?
Guitar and piano.
Had you written anything before ZBP?
No books, but I’ve written lyrics and music– 5 albums of original songs – during the years I was a full-time performer and songwriter. I also embarked on writing the libretto for my first musical several years back. But ZBP marks the first time I have been an author of a stand-alone book.
Where did your inspiration come from for the project?
As a music teacher, I kept looking for a book that would engage my students, that would tell them about important composers we were studying in my Composer of the Month program which I had started at school. I specifically was searching for a colorful book that would be geared to ages 5-10 years old, since that is the age group with which I have a lot of experience . . . I was determined, as the days and weeks and years went by, that I could find a book that would “hit” and grab their attention – that would make learning about famous musicians memorable and fun at the same time, and accompany the “great composers” material we were studying in class. Going through a lot of books over a period of years, I did find a beautifully-illustrated book about several composers – so I used parts of it – but it was for older kids, not the elementary grades.
Finally, after continued searching, with no luck, I thought, “Why don’t I just write it myself?”
The “superhero” idea came later, as I was finishing up the twelfth (final) composer of my first book – ZBP. I remember being happy with what I had written, but I also remember thinking, “What’s going to make some parent or kid want to pick up this book and look inside?” And then one night it hit me – superheroes! I know how kids love fun words like “Wow!” and “Pow!” – and how so many children are captivated with superheroes. So, I decided to give each composer a superpower and a word or syllable to go with it. And because kids also love chants and rhymes, I added a short poem about the musicians, to help the children remember something special about each one.
How did you find the illustrator?
Through the School of Visual Arts here in NYC – through its ‘jobs wanted / jobs needed’ online bulletin board. Patrick Ackerman, the illustrator, had graduated from SVA about 3 years before he and I met. His main focus is being a pixel artist, creating video games. But a certain drawing he had posted intrigued me, and I wondered if that “feel” could be transferred to drawing superhero composers. So, we were embarking on something new – ‘uncharted territory’ for each of us. It’s been a great collaboration. I’m already looking forward to him being on board for Zap! Book #4!
How long did I take you to write ZBP?
About nine months –my first “baby,” as far as writing children’s books goes!
Tell us about your current projects.
I’m happy to say I just finished my third book of the ZAP! series. It’s called ZAP! TAP! ROAR! SUPERHEROES OF MUSIC #3. It will be released this Fall, with 12 more famous composers – ranging from Hildegard and Puccini, to Ravi Shankar and Bob Marley. My students keep asking me, “Is your next book ready yet? When can we see it?” It’s really humbling. I’m so grateful that they and their parents are so enthusiastic, hungry to learn about music and musicians!
Also, this summer I’ve just begun work on re-constructing, revising the libretto for my first musical that was performed Off-Off Broadway for a very limited run back in early 2014. The theme of the musical is inspired by a beautiful story I grew up with in San Antonio – taking place in sixteenth-century Mexico. The twenty-one songs (in English with a sprinkling of Spanish) are ready – the music was very well-received. But there is lots to do to bring the book up to the level of the music. I haven’t looked at it in six years Being a playwright is not necessarily my strength. (Here we go again – uncharted territory!) I’m actually searching for someone who could be “the right” book writer for this musical! Until then, I’ve finally started the process of taking another look at the book, line by line. This will take awhile!
What has your work taught you about yourself?
I‘ll take on a challenge that requires me to “stretch,” to venture out of my comfort zone, if it’s for a good cause.
I realize now that, with ZBP, I’ve experienced first-hand that the old saying is true: “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Take care of business.
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
My favorite movie of all time is “Now, Voyager.”
Have you ever been to San Diego?
Yes, many times! Such a beautiful city . . .My mother’s sister – whom I’m named after – settled in San Diego and was very active in public service there and throughout the state of California – Senator Lucy Killea. When I was growing up, my mom, dad, and all my brothers and sisters and I made quite a few road trips there, camping along the way, from San Antonio, TX to San Diego – so that we could visit Aunt Lucy and her family. . . wonderful memories! After I moved to New York City, she would always see me whenever she was in town. And every now and then I’d have the opportunity fly to San Diego to spend a few days with her.
It was obvious how much my Aunt Lucy loved San Diego – and her enthusiasm for all things San Diego certainly rubbed off on me.