Puppet Jamboree

Using Puppetry and Music to Connect with Children

Attention musicians, educators, puppeteers, librarians and anyone who works with children!!!

Join us for a magical day of puppetry and children’s music at the historic and beautiful Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles, sponsored by Silly Goose & Val.

Friday Sept. 26th 9-3pm
$60 includes all workshops, tour, coffee reception, puppet making station and catered lunch! OPEN TO ALL!

REGISTER HERE for Puppet Jamboree

The day includes a tour of the historic Bob Baker Marionette theater, a Sock Puppet Station, a performance and talk by Sesame Street puppeteer Megan Piphus and special guests, a workshop and performance by the Bob Baker Theater, and a panel discussion "Creating Connections: Puppetry, Music, and the Art of Engaging Children" with Red Yarn, SNOOKNUK and Megan Piphus.  Check out their biographies below!

Enjoy a fully catered lunch by a local LA Taco Spot, a time to mix and mingle with leading children's musicians and educators attending the 2025 Annual Children's Music Network Conference and others who are eager to learn and share. This is a great networking and learning day for anyone working with puppets or young children and music.

Schedule

8:00am	Breakfast at conference hotel
9:00am	Travel to Bob Baker
9:30am	Coffee and gather at Bob Baker Theater
10:00am	Welcome and Tour
11:00am	Workshop: Bob Baker Marionettes
12noon	Lunch and Shop DIY Puppet making stations
1:00pm	Megan Piphus performance and talk (possible special guests)
1:30pm	Break
1:45pm	Workshop:Creating Connections: Puppetry, Music, and the Art of Engaging Children" Puppetry Panel with Snooknook, Red Yarn and Megan Piphus
3:00pm	Return to conference hotel

People

Megan Piphus is a world-renowned puppeteer and ventriloquist who began her craft at the age of ten.. As a teenager, she traveled the nation singing and performing ventriloquism at schools and churches. The Vanderbilt University graduate continued her ventriloquist career during her academic pursuit and made acclaimed appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Showtime at the Apollo with Stevie Harvey” and "America's Got Talent”. She was a part of the Emmy winning 2019 PBS series $martpath that taught young children basic financial literacy. Since 2020, Piphus has played the role of Gabrielle, a 6-year-old black girl Muppet, on Sesame Street. In 2023, Megan released her debut children’s album “Spaceships & Dreams” under the group name May & Them Pups in 2023. The album made Apple Music Kids’ Best of 2023 list for children’s music. In 2025, she released her first solo album Cinderella Sweep in partnership with non-profit organization Saving Our Daughters. Through the organization, over 53 elementary school girls participated in the recording of the album. Megan is a mom of two boys – Leo and Ty.

Red Yarn (aka Andy Furgeson) is a Texas-born, Oregon-based family performer who weaves music and puppetry into high-energy shows for all ages. With his engaging performances, rowdy folk-rock recordings, and playful music videos, this red-bearded bard reinvigorates American roots music traditions for younger generations.

With traditional and original songs that blend folk, rock’n’roll, country and blues, Red Yarn’s sound is both rooted and modern. Whether performing solo, with his wife and singing partner Ms. Jessie, with collaborators, or with a full band, Red Yarn’s shows are a raucous, inclusive celebration of the multicultural musical heritage of the USA. As Red rambles through the landscapes of American folklore, he introduces his “critter” friends – lovable, handmade puppets – along the way.

SNOOKNUK is a Children's Music Artist that creates songs to MOTIVATE, INSPIRE, & ENCOURAGE! Making a difference by teaching valuable life lessons, social awareness and going "Back to the BASICS", creating a bond. bringing fun to the daily activities of children, and making Childhood magical while making parent's lives easier! Inspired by her own kids, SNOOKNUK was created by Cheri Moon (known to the littles as Ms. Cheri), and has an extensive background in the Pop Music industry. SNOOKNUK also opened a music & arts cafe that became a staple in Los Angeles, CA in the Larchmont Village area for 7 years building a community around the music, shows, classes & events! Her cafe & classes captivated celebrity attendees such as Alicia Keyes, Scarlet Johanson, Tig Notaro, Zoe Saldana, Destiny’s Child, the Disney family & many more! SNOOKNUK’s third album, produced by Lucy Kalantari, is soon to be released and SNOOKNUK is also in pre-production for a new musical! Stay Tuned!This full day event includes a behind the scenes guided tour of the theater, DIY puppet making, special performances and workshops.

Come With Us on our Puppet Jamboree!

You will leave with new friends, a new puppet, knowledge and ideas about how to integrate puppetry into your practice and many beautiful photos in this incredible space!

And if you haven't already, join us for "Time to Shine", CMN's 2025 Annual Conference also in LA from Sept 26-28! Early Bird Pricing Ends August 15.

Hope to see you there!

CMN 2025 Conference Chairs,
Cindy Haws and Iwalani Venerable!