Lynn Ahrens

To pigeonhole Lynn Ahrens as a lyricist or librettist overlooks her distinguished career as a producer of children's television. Yet it is in the former capacity that she has achieved her greatest success. The daughter of bohemian parents, Ahrens was born and raised in Manhattan. After earning a degree in journalism from Syracuse University, Ahrens embarked on a career in advertising as a copywriter and composer of jingles. When a co-worker overheard Ahrens singing, she was invited to audition to work on a children's television show. Soon thereafter, she became a contributing songwriter to "Schoolhouse Rock!" (ABC). In the late 1970s, Ahrens founded her own production company and went on to create a number of successful children's informational programs, earning an Emmy for "H.E.L.P.! (Dr. Henry's Emergency Lessons for People)," about the Heimlich maneuver, as well as nominations for "Kids Are People Too," "The Doughnuts" and "Willie Survives."