60 Seconds With . . . Jose-Luis Orozco

The crowded music-for-tots scene may have reached its saturation point years ago, but bilingual singer-songwriter Jose-Luis Orozco is still going strong and plans on being around long after the current generation of toddlers is off to college. Born in Mexico and educated in Berkeley and San Francisco, Orozco has built a successful career as a children’s author, performer, recording artist and educator. He performs 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Skirball Cultural Center.

YOU TRAIN EDUCATORS HOW TO USE MUSIC AS A LEARNING TOOL. TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC AND ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS.

Art is the human language of the children. Music is a nonthreatening tool for teaching and learning. When resources aren’t available, the most important thing a parent can do is play an active role in their child’s education by volunteering, taking them to the library, reading and singing them songs they learned as a kid.

HOW DO YOUR GRANDKIDS FEEL ABOUT HAVING A ROCK STAR AS A GRANDPA?

They like it. They are 6 and 4 and go to my concerts whenever possible. My kids help me on tour too. Any chance they have to go to Puerto Rico, Florida or New York, they come with me. My youngest one plays the guitar. We’ve performed once or twice together.

YOU HAVE A HUGE FOLLOWING. HAVE YOU HAD ANY ELVIS-LIKE EXPERIENCES?

Every year at the UCLA Festival of Books it gets a little crazy. I’ve gotten used to it. But it’s most satisfying when a parent tells me how my songs have helped their child with their speech problems. One teacher who had two kids with autism told me how my music helped them to express themselves better. It’s nice to know my work has some impact.

WITH TODDLERS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS BEING YOUR BIGGEST FANS, IS IT HARD TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR NEVER-ENDING ENERGY?

It’s all reciprocal. All the energy from audience participation keeps me going. I do have two dancers in the show, but it’s all about the interaction with the kids. Seeing the children singing and dancing gives me great joy. What else can I ask for?

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-- Liesl.Bradner@latimes.com