Introducing YellowKat!

Mama Bear Productions is proud to announce our next featured artist, YellowKat. YellowKat is not just, well a,"yellow cat" as one might gather from its name. Rather it is a group of 3 Australian Children’s music entertainers who in the last 3 years have taken Sydney by storm!

Humble Origins

Sonia Hardie, mother of 2, Director, songwriter and founder of YellowKat Productions, says,

It started with Matt Humphreys (my brother and part time guitar player for the group) and I, recording some of the songs I was singing when mucking around with my kids. I gave a copy of the recording to my son's preschool, who were very encouraging asking me to perform the songs to the kids. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I had a kids show and album!

Joining Sonia is her sister-in-law and brand new mother, Gabrielle Thompson, who plays the leading role of YellowKat in their shows. Gabby’s background is in dance. Right from the start her family knew she was destined to be a dancer as she was dancing shortly after she began walking! She’s studied “acrobatting, ballet, jazz and tap” Gabby worked as a professional dancer for 5 years touring Japan. Upon retiring from overseas work Gabby continued to perform working in Sydney for Six Pak Productions in variety shows and RSL’s.

Anton Koritni came to the ensemble when Matt asked him to play keyboard on YellowKat’s very first professional album Sing In My Singlet. Anton has achieved a high distinction with the Australian Songwriters Association (ASA), which opened many doors for him. He’s played with some of Australia’s finest musicians including: Jack Jones of Southern Sons, Human Nature, The Jimmy Barnes Band, Dave Leslie from Baby Animals, Mark McEntee of Divinyls, York Sherrit of Diesel and Phil Small of Cold Chisel.

Earning fans one at a time!

As an ensemble, YellowKat’s popularity grew and they were asked to perform at many pre-schools, schools, child care centers, school fete’s and fairs, street fairs and many Christmas parties. They were even flown up to Queensland for the last New Years Eve celebration in Mackay.

Dictinctions & Honors

Last year Sonia’s song Ants in the Kitchen, the first demo song that was recorded in Matt’s apartment (which YellowKat offers as a free download on Mama Bear Productions), made the top 25 children’s songs in the ASA’s Songwriting Contest, children’s division. This honor got Sonia to wondering what would happen if she recorded an album professionally. The results, Mama Bear Productions is delighted to announce, is that this year not only is YellowKat busier than ever, but 3 of Sonia’s songs (Uh Oh it’s YellowKat, Clap Your Hands and Have You Ever) are currently nominated for the ASA’s Children’s Song of the Year and are among the top 25 songs submitted from around the world!

Congratulations YellowKat, we wish you continued success for all your hard work!