Edmonton-based children’s musician Beppie has released her eighth album, Puzzle Pieces, featuring the singles “Nine” and “P-O-T-A-T-O Crew.” The 13-track project continues the JUNO-nominated artist’s work in Canadian family entertainment, combining educational songwriting, funk, hip-hop influences and collaborations with young performers.
The release follows a period of professional recognition for Beppie, whose career spans music education, live performances and recorded children’s entertainment.
Beppie Builds on Growing Career in Canadian Children’s Music
Born Stephanie Nhan in Regina, Saskatchewan, Beppie has lived in Edmonton since 2006 and has established herself as a performer and educator.
She has released seven previous albums since 2017, earned two JUNO Award nominations and received four Western Canadian Music Award nominations.
In 2023, she won Children’s Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. That year, she also received the Edmonton Arts Trust Fund Award and became a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.
Her professional activities include membership in the Recording Academy and a distribution agreement with Platoon through Apple Music.
Over the past six years, Beppie has secured more than $100,000 in funding from organizations including the Canada Council for the Arts, Edmonton Arts Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, SOCAN and FACTOR.
That support has contributed to her touring activities and music development.
With 25 years of teaching experience, she performs more than 70 shows annually at schools, festivals and community events. Her recordings have accumulated more than two million streams worldwide.
New Album Features Educational Single ‘Nine’
Funk-Inspired Counting Song Developed With Justin McDonough
One of the album’s featured singles, “Nine,” grew from Beppie’s experience as both a mother of three and a music educator.
Seeking a different approach to traditional children’s counting songs, she worked with longtime producer Justin McDonough to develop a funk-influenced arrangement.
“The mission was clear, it had to be funky, and it had to be fun,” she says.
The recording developed from an initial musical idea into a fuller production incorporating several instruments.
“We started with a funky little riff and then everything just started flowing,” she explains. “The drums, the strings, the flute! Once we got going, we didn’t stop until we got to, you guessed it, nine!”
The track emerged during two additional studio days originally reserved for vocal and drum recording.
“I’m so glad we did,” Beppie says. “‘Nine’ is my favourite song out of the 13 tracks included on my new album. I love singing it live with kids and seeing how quickly they catch on to the rhythms and the words.”
The decision to end the counting song at nine rather than 10 has also prompted questions from young listeners.
“It’s always good to keep your listeners wanting more,” she says. “Even if they are preschoolers.”
‘P-O-T-A-T-O Crew’ Brings Family Collaboration to the Album
Hip-Hop Track Features Fyütch, Aura V and Beppie’s Children
Another featured single, “P-O-T-A-T-O Crew,” originated during a gardening activity with Beppie’s son Elliot, who was 11 at the time.
While harvesting potatoes, they imagined an underground world involving a potato king and an elaborate battle.
Beppie later developed the concept during a songwriting retreat with McDonough.
“When you write music for kids and with kids, you can pretty much write about anything you want,” she says. “It’s crazy to think that this is actually my job.”
The resulting song draws on 1990s hip-hop and features characters representing different potato dishes.
Children’s musician Fyütch participated in the project and suggested that his daughter, Aura V, voice the character Mash.
Beppie’s son Elliot performs as Fry, her daughter Amelia voices Spud, and Beppie portrays Chip.
According to the release, Aura V subsequently became the youngest Grammy-winning artist in history, a development welcomed by the recording team.
The track has also become a regular high-energy segment of Beppie’s live performances.
Beppie Announces Alberta Concerts and British Columbia Tour
The album release is accompanied by scheduled performances across Western Canada.
Beppie will hold an album release concert at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove, Alberta, on October 24, 2026.
Additional appearances include the Red Deer Museum on February 15, 2027, followed by a British Columbia spring tour from March 20 to 30, covering Vancouver, Victoria, Burnaby and Richmond. Specific dates and venues for those performances have not yet been announced.
A further concert is scheduled for April 4, 2027, at MacLab Theatre in Leduc, Alberta.
Puzzle Pieces Continues Beppie’s Work in Family Entertainment
With Puzzle Pieces, Beppie continues combining her background in music education with contemporary musical styles and family participation.
The album’s release, alongside upcoming Western Canadian performances, marks another stage in a career supported by arts funding, industry recognition and a growing audience for Canadian children’s music.
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