The Sing-A-Lingo^® Story

Piña and Michael Madera, co-founders of Sing-A-Lingo, are Spanish speaking parents who made the decision to raise bilingual children. Seeking products that would support their efforts, Piña and Michael tried a variety of learning aids available on the market–music, movies and books. While they found that some were helpful, they had trouble finding products that integrated useful Spanish for kids into their daily lives.
 

Piña and Michael found that most Spanish teaching materials pinpoint simple nouns or colors, with limited communicative language. Others simply translated traditional songs, like “Old McDonald.” Determining that “cow” had limited uses in their daily life, Piña and Michael were more interested in teaching phrases like “I’m hungry,” or “Hurry up, put on your coat.” And as musicians themselves, they also wanted to create music-based materials that offered fun melodies and lyrics for parents and children to enjoy equally. Frustrated with the options available, Piña and Michael developed Sing-A-Lingo to help address their own needs, as well as to help others in their same situation.

Piña Madera, founder

Piña has worked as an educator since 1987 – Montessori, piano teacher, ESL textbook editor, curriculum developer, teacher. She is also invested in teaching Spanish to her own kids (ages 5 & 7). It is her Mexican mother’s language — Piña was raised bilingual. She wrote all the original songs on our 1st CD ‘En MiCasa’ and that’s her voice and piano playing you hear in all the songs, and she designed our class curriculum.
 

Michael Madera, co-founder

Michael holds an M.A. in Spanish and a doctorate in Psychology and is a part-time rock ‘n roller (when he’s not running his consulting business or being a Dad). You’ll hear his musical contributions on our CDs.

He is also a Groove Pop. You can be one, too. Hear his music and see videos about this band at: Groovepops.com