Choo-Choo Soul helps 'train' kids to learn in a fun way

ROCHESTER - All aboard! For one day only the Rochester Opera House presents two performances by Disney Jr.'s Choo-Choo Soul. Follow the musical adventures of the hip-hop singer, Train Conductor, Genevieve Goings, and her dancing, beatboxing engineer, DC, as they entertain kids while performing soulful and current renditions of the ABC's and 1-2-3's.
This show will have you singing and dancing to the beat! Imagine parents honestly being able to enjoy the music that their children enjoy. Imagine soulful and current renditions of the ABC's, 1-2-3's, and learning how to be polite. Imagine a diverse, and incredibly hip duo, teaching children through music on an animated train... And Choo-Choo Soul is born!
Choo-Choo Soul was developed by video game designer Greg Johnson while working on his project 'ToeJam & Earl III, Mission to Earth' for the Xbox. Burke Treischmann, who was the audio lead and music director on the project, had a working relationship with Johnson for over 15 years. The two met Genevieve Goings when she auditioned for one of the voiceover roles in the game. Although she didn't land the lead part, she recorded several character voices, some of which were gospel singers.
Genevieve suggested actually singing the lines as opposed to speaking them. Greg and Burke were so blown away by the soul in her voice that Greg edited the script, adding over 10 pages of new singing lines for Goings.

"I had down time between game projects and was being driven crazy listening to bad children's music, and searching stores for something the family could all enjoy together, and thus was born the concept of Choo-Choo Soul" Johnson says.
He began by writing the song concepts, melodies and lyrics and recruited Burke and Genevieve to translate the concepts into full and complete songs. The music is contagious and soulful, with a focus on trains and learning. After the completion of the project, Johnson pitched the CD around to various outlets, hoping for a distribution deal or possibility of an animated series.
Having a working relationship with Disney from a previous pitch, Johnson sent the CD in and the response was amazing. Goings and Johnson were flown to Los Angeles for what turned out to be an unprepared audition in front of a classroom of 4-5 year olds. The children loved her and the execs at Playhouse Disney decided to move ahead with filming 10 interstitials that now air on the Disney Channel daily and feature Goings as the Star in character as the Train Conductor assisted by DC, her beatboxing, and breakdancing engineer.
The first show is at 11am. (Doors 10am) The second show is at 2pm. (Doors 1pm) Tickets $12. Reserve tickets online or call/stop by the box office (603) 335-1992, M/W/F from 10-5pm and 2-hours before the show. This show is sponsored by TD Bank North, Eastern Propane, Shaheen & Gordon P.A., and Norm Vetter Foundations. The Rochester Opera House is located in City Hall, 31 Wakefield Street, Rochester NH. Visit www.RochesterOperaHouse.com for more information.


Matt Wyatt
Publicist & Co-Producer