Willow Glen Resident

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Photograph by Vicki Thompson

Earth Tunes: Willow Glen resident David Sharpe, a podiatrist, recently performed at the Children's Discovery Museum in celebration of Earth Day.

Willow Glen singer and songwriter shares eco-friendly songs in honor of Earth Day

By Michelle Sklar

Willow Glen resident and musician David Sharpe is known for his child-centric songs about global warming, the changing seasons and the importance of caring for the environment.

With such song titles as "The Polar Bear," "Move Like the Earth" and "Great Day for You and Me," Sharpe performed two concerts on April 14 at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. His shows featured original songs written just for these events. Sharpe returned to the museum after a successful Christmastime concert.

"I was introduced to David's music in a most unique way," says Linda Fischetti, the museum's education and programs manager. "Irene Dalis, the general director of Opera San Jose, told me that her podiatrist had written some children's music that might be a good fit for our visitors, so I decided to give him a try."

Sharpe performed titles from his just-released CD, "All the Things You Dream."

"I am very excited to be interacting with children through the power of song," Sharpe says. "I think it is important to educate children about caring for our Earth now, while they are young and open to learning."

Sharpe, a Bay Area resident since 1974 and partner in the Silicon Valley Podiatry Group who is on the medical staff at Good Samaritan Hospital, has been writing music and playing guitar for more than 40 years. But it was only recently that he began sharing his songs with people outside his circle of family and friends. He is the father of two daughters and grandfather of three. He lives with his wife Laura in Willow Glen.

"In the past few years, David has become re-inspired by his grandchildren, and their dreams and observations about the world around them," says longtime family friend Joshua Russell, "so he has taken their stories and turned them into songs."

Sharpe, who has focused primarily on his profession as a podiatrist for the past 30 years, decided to record the songs so that he could share them with other children, parents and grandparents. Keeping it local, he recorded his CD at Open Path Music Studio on Lincoln Avenue.

For those interested in his music who missed the museum gig, Sharpe's acoustic guitar and vocals can also be heard around town at the Seven Trees Public Library, April 27, 3 p.m.; at Discovery Meadow as part of the San Jose Public Library's Children's Faire, April 28, 11-4 p.m.; at the Children's Fantasy Faire in Los Gatos, May 5, 3:30 p.m.; at the park at Santana Row as part of the Mommy and Me program, May 8, 10 a.m. to noon; and at Westgate Mall as part of the Mommy and Me program, May 9, 10 a.m. to noon.

Earth Day is officially April 22 this year, but Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is recognizing the day with weeks of activities, concerts and lessons.

In addition to Sharpe's recent concert, the museum has a number of Earth-focused activities planned through April 22. Visitors to the museum between now and Earth Day can help make a unique river quilt, check out a solar cooking demonstration or get their hands dirty digging for worms in the garden.

To learn more about Willow Glen musician David Sharpe and his passion for children's music, visit www.davidsharpemusic.com. For more information about the Children's Discovery Museum, visit www.cdm.org.