Retiree Is In Tune With Kids

He’s strict, yet loving, old-fashioned, yet hip. He talks like Dom DeLuise, sings like Kate Smith and is the most popular character to hit the West Valley’s elementary-school music scene in a decade.

“Allen Brandt is absolutely phenomenal! He’s the most wonderful person in the world,” said Joanne Rygh, a kindergarten teacher at Pomelo Drive Elementary School in West Hills. “He is interested in every human being he comes in contact with. He’s caring and humanistic. He’s one in a million.”

The 68-year-old retired textiles executive is a school volunteer, who takes his mixed bag of vintage songs, patriotism and mathematical mastery to students at three West Valley elementary schools each week.

“Allen makes it cool to sing the old songs,” said fifth-grade teacher Phyllis Englander, while Brandt led her Woodlake Elementary School students in a rousing rendition of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

There was no mistaking his impact on Englander’s Woodland Hills students Tuesday. The fifth-graders clapped, whistled and hand-motioned their way through tunes, such as “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” that they’ve been singing with Brandt since kindergarten.

“He’s so animated. He’s never boring,” said 10-year-old Lauren Snyder. “Boys usually don’t like to sing, but Mr. Brandt gets them to do it every time. We just know he loves being with us kids.”

The Woodland Hills resident, a married father of three grown children, refers to himself as a one-man show. He doesn’t read music nor does he bring any instrumental accompaniment to his classes. Yet, when the first two words of “My Daddy’s Whiskers” escape his mouth, the children suddenly turn the a cappella oldie into a foot-stomping choral extravaganza.

“Allen is able to connect the generations, and he brings a sense of joy to our school’s history and the country’s,” said Woodlake Elementary Principal Patricia Pelletier.

Brandt grew up in the Bronx, where as a young man he launched his career with a large textile company. He climbed the corporate ladder and moved to California in 1971. His 38-year tenure with the company ended in 1989.

“Early retirement was the best thing that ever happened to me,” the Woodland Hills resident said. “It got me into the most rewarding work I’ve ever done. Who cares how much fabric I’ve sold, anyway?”

A week after he retired, Brandt called the school nearest his house, which was Woodlake Avenue Elementary, and asked what they wanted him to do.

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After a short stint as a classroom aide, he put together a program that included math tutoring, geography lessons and his first love, singing. A number of teachers signed up, and before long, the whole school climbed on board.

The following summer, he signed up to help out with Pomelo’s special-education program. He currently gives a combined 25 hours a week to Woodlake, Pomelo and Haynes Street elementary schools. In between, the tennis enthusiast brings his one-man show to area convalescent homes.

“I really have no idea what my impact is,” Brandt said. “But if I can change one kid’s life, then everything I do is worth it.”

Personal Best is a weekly profile of an ordinary person who does extraordinary things. Please send suggestions on prospective candidates to Personal Best, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Or fax them to (818) 772-3338. Or e-mail them to valley.news@latimes.com.