From her earliest childhood, music came naturally to Tutti Druyan, an Israeli American singer-songwriter whose decades-long career includes performances on world stages and in award-winning recordings.
Her repertoire swings from jazz to Hebrew music and klezmer. Last year, she produced and recorded “Kantika” with her husband, Edmar Colón, and brother, Shaqed, also a musician. The innovative compilation includes contemporary adaptations of Sephardic music she learned as a child from her grandfather.
Druyan moved to Boston from Toronto 15 years ago, at age 19, when she attended Berklee College of Music. Wanting to keep their tight-knit family together, they also settled in Greater Boston.
Druyan, who grew up in Moshav Shoresh, near Jerusalem, is the daughter of two professional Israeli musicians. Her mother, Gitit Shoval, is an award-winning vocalist who captured the hearts of Israelis when, as a teen, she performed at the Pre-Eurovision competition the first time it was held in Israel. Her father, Ron Druyan, is an alum of Berklee and a sought-after music producer.
The second-oldest of four children, Druyan took to the family business from the age of 3, when she joined her mother in leading roles doing voice-overs in Hebrew-dubbed cartoons produced by her parents’ company. Among her credits are “The Smurfs” and “Dragon Tales.”
It was a dream come true for the young girl, Druyan told JewishBoston in a phone conversation, along with her father, Ron.
“I wanted to be part of it so badly,” she recalled. Her parents were hesitant but agreed to let her voice a brief line for what they thought was a minor character. To their surprise, it was a main character—a role that launched her burgeoning career as a voice-over actress. There was no turning back.
As she got older, Druyan took on other behind-the-scenes responsibilities, from translating to directing.
Even then, they were all eager to create something of their own, rather than for someone else’s production, she and Ron both said.
Five years ago, Druyan earned her master’s degree in teaching Hebrew from Middlebury College with a concentration in early childhood education. She taught at synagogues and at MetroWest Jewish Day School in Framingham.
Now 34, and the mother of a 1-year-old, Druyan has branched out again with “Tiny Tutti,” music videos for the preschool set that weave together her passion for music and education.
Launched in December, Tiny Tutti is a family venture produced by the family’s production company, including Shaqed. The videos stream on Tiny Tutti’s YouTube channel.
Most of the upbeat, interactive videos feature original tunes; others are popular American children’s songs, including “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Druyan and her mother team up for many of the videos, blending their lush harmonies. In upcoming videos, kids will welcome Grandma Gitit in her own role.
They even took Tiny Tutti on the road, with a live show at B’nai Shalom in Westborough, with plans for more.
Druyan’s performance of her original “Face Song” was a 2024 semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.
The guiding light for the entertaining, educational channel is the family values Druyan grew up with: warmth, self-confidence and acceptance, Druyan said.
A childhood fan of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” the public television program for preschoolers, she is inspired by his gentle and kind rapport with children.
Tiny Tutti is made for a general audience, but the show also reflects her family’s deep-rooted Jewish values, she said. Themes of chesed and kavod—the Hebrew words for kindness and respect—are emphasized, as well as the importance of respect for the home and community.
Druyan and her mother care deeply about children with special needs and she has plans for new episodes that will feature families from all backgrounds.
As Israeli Americans, life has been challenging since Oct. 7, Druyan acknowledged.
“But we’re strong and we do what we can to thrive and be the best people we can be,” she said.
Tutti’s parents are beaming with naches about her professional achievements.
“We are beyond thrilled,” Ron said about Tiny Tutti. “We are pouring a lot of energy into helping to make this happen.”
Becoming a parent with her husband, a saxophonist, composer and Berklee professor, has added a personal lens for Druyan.
“I am much more inspired and motivated now,” she reflected.
Playtime often sparks new songs that she’s adapted for Tiny Tutti.
“Becoming a mom has made my life so much better—personally and professionally,” Druyan said. “I feel very blessed.”
Subscribe to Tiny Tutti on YouTube.
