THE STORY OF LYDIA MAHNKOPF & LULLULA
The founder of Lullula shares with us the inspiration behind her brands beautiful name and why she wanted to create a calm and warm space for Mothers and babies to enjoy and learn music.
BY SHIRLEY ERSKINE-SCHREYER
Lydia Mahnkopf I was really lucky to have a very early and super inspirational introduction to classical music as a child. That magical introduction made a huge impact on my life, to this day – and led me to pursue a career as a musician.
When my son was born in 2018, I looked everywhere for early music classes that had that same magic. And as a new mom, I was personally looking for an experience that included me too. It too often feels like, once a baby is born, nobody really thinks too much about the comfort or happiness of the new parent. But it’s not an easy time!
So I wanted to create an early childhood music class that would not only be that magical, foundational experience for babies and young children, but also include the parent in a really nourishing way. Not finding what I was looking for was a big motivation to jump in and create it!
WS What is the meaning behind the name Lullula?
LM “Lullula” is the genus name for the woodlarks, which are famously virtuosic songbirds. Lullula Music has been focused on the voice from the very beginning, so when I was looking for a name, it felt right to connect with nature’s best vocalists.
And, from the sound alone “Lullula” is already fitting with what we do: it makes me think of a lullaby, of course, but also the way kids will playfully make up a tune with no words.
“Lullula” is the genus name for the woodlarks, which are famously virtuosic songbirds. Lullula Music has been focused on the voice from the very beginning, so when I was looking for a name, it felt right to connect with nature’s best vocalists.”
WS Your Studio is beyond beautiful, what was the inspiration behind the design?
LM Thank you! The studio’s interior was inspired by the history and materials of the building itself. In fact, a big part of the inspiration came from the 19th century tiles in the bathroom and the 1920’s pharmacy cabinets that were left behind.
Above all, I wanted to create a warm and calming space for music. I wanted the experience of music there to feel like a beautiful, intimate house concert. And, as a new mom going to activities with my baby, the last thing I personally wanted to see was primary colors and a dirty gym floor. So Lullula was also designed to be the antidote to that.
WS You opened at the height of COVID-19. How have you been able to navigate?
LM Our opening was super badly timed – the first COVID-19 case in Berlin was reported the very next day. It was a shock to close two weeks later, and throughout this year I’ve been navigating a lot in the dark, as I think we all are.
What’s helped me is connecting with the needs of my customers, especially now in shutdown 2.0, and trying my best to support the amazing community I have in Lullula. It’s also pushed me to create and move outside my comfort zone, in a way that running our full studio schedule from day one never would have – so in this way, I’m grateful for the push and I’m really excited to launch our audio music class subscription in the new year.
WS What does your typical work day look like?
LM My day invariably starts with playing trains and reading with my two year old, and ends with singing 10.000 verses of Old MacDonald Had a Farm with him. That’s basically the only consistent part!
When Lullula was open August-November, I taught five days a week. So I spent most of my work days singing, dancing, playing, and of course disinfecting. While our classes are back on pause and our kita remains open, my work day looks slightly more normal – but I’ve been busy preparing our Winter 2021 courses, growing our community, and finding ways to make early childhood music education more accessible.
WS Do you have a support system to help you juggle motherhood and career?
LM Yes, for sure. The tricky part for me however is calling on that system when I really need it – so I’m learning to be more vocal when things get hard.
WS What do you find most exciting about Motherhood?
LM How fast kids learn and how excited they are about learning and discovering the world around them. Watching these first discoveries of concepts that are pretty mind-bending when you think about it (dinosaurs! spaceships!) is really fun.
WS What do you like most about raising your child in Berlin?
LM I grew up in a rural area as a kid, so raising a child in a big city with a rich, diverse arts & culture scene is something I’m very grateful for and very excited to share with him.
QUICKIES
1) Favourite Book you are reading?
I recently finished The Mirror and the Light, the last installment of Hilary Mantel’s trilogy about the Tudors (and loved it very much).
2) Favourite Kids Book?
The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin with illustrations by Marc Simont. It’s an extremely cozy and comforting book about all the musicians of an orchestra leaving their houses to go to work and play in a concert, and I’ve never ever gotten tired of it.
3) Favorite local restaurant?
It’s hard to choose a favorite because I miss eating in any restaurant, full stop. I love Lon Men’s Noodle House on Kantstraße. And I would be very happy to go to Le Petit Royal again for dinner with my husband when everything reopens.
4) On repeat on your playlist?
Already listening to Christmas music, which for me means Choir of King’s College, Cambridge.
5) Favourite local shop?
I like Van Nord on Grolmannstraße and I love the trove of bookstores in our neighborhood, like Marga Schoeller on Knesebeckstraße.
6) Favourite place to go in Berlin with your son?
Right now, the Zoo! Though I think he’s now a bit (understandably) nervous knowing there are elephants living 15 minutes away from our apartment.
