Goldbas Music, I Wish That I Could Be a Whale

Darien Library is proud to welcome Kate and Jake Goldbas for a special book launch celebration featuring an interactive concert inspired by Kate’s debut picture book and original song, I Wish That I Could Be a Whale!

When it’s time for bed, one curious child’s imagination is just waking up. What would it be like to sing like a whale, swing like a monkey, or build like a beaver? Through shared music-making experiences families will explore how melody, rhythm, and tempo help tell the story and bring the I Wish That I Could Be A Whale world to life!

Following the concert, families are invited to a book signing and meet-and-greet with the author, illustrator, and performers. Copies of I Wish That I Could Be a Whale will be available for purchase at the event.

Recommended for children with their parent or caregiver. Please register each member of the family who plans to attend.

About the Team

Author Kate Goldbas is an opera singer, author and teaching artist who has taught, curated and implemented early childhood programming for over two decades on behalf of cultural institutions, schools and libraries throughout the country! Together with her husband, Jake, they formed Goldbas Music which fuses Kate’s operatic prowess and Jake’s percussionist expertise to bring audiences innovative performances and educational programming. Inspired by her eldest son, I Wish That I Could Be A Whale is Kate’s debut children’s book! Kate lives in Wilton, Connecticut with her husband, Jake and their two sons William and Louie. 

Illustrator Olivia Chinadmo is a New York–based illustrator and acclaimed jazz vocalist originally from Australia. I Wish That I Could Be a Whale marks her debut children’s book, bringing her dreamy illustrations to young readers for the first time. Olivia’s portfolio spans a wide range of mediums, from oil painting to watercolor to digital art, and often features expressive cityscapes and richly textured scenes. Olivia lives in Queens, New York, with her husband and two very naughty cats.

Jake Goldbas is a drummer, educator and Deputy Director for Josh Groban's Find Your Light Foundation. He was the principal drummer for Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway and has performed with Aretha Franklin, Cynthia Erivo, Darren Criss, Ariana DeBose, Miss Piggy, Christian McBride, and more! He has designed and implemented new education programs for Jazz at Lincoln Center, National Young Arts Foundation, Louis Armstrong House Museum and Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College. This year Find Your Light Foundation will provide $1.5M in grants to arts education programs across the country. Jake lives in Wilton, Connecticut with his wife Kate, and their two sons William and Louie.

Mike Bono is a guitarist currently living in NYC, where he is playing, teaching, composing, and recording. Mike has performed from Carnegie Hall to Birdland to The Blue Note to venues across the world from Europe to Africa. Mike has worked with artists like Erykah Badu, Chris Cheek, Andra Day, Dayna Stephens, Julian Lage, Rich Perry, Elmo and Miss Piggy amongst many others. Mike currently plays guitar for the hit broadway show &Juliet.