Conductor Jack Norton (born Jack Atreus Norton, March 15, 1980, Los Angeles, CA) is an American children's artist, rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor, producer and entrepreneur. He is the co-creator of the preschool television show and brand, (The Zinghoppers), along with wife DJ Kitty. He stars on the PBS show, "Totally, Zinghoppers!"
Jack was born in California but grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Not raised by his birth parents, Norton is of Dutch and French descent. His family encouraged his artistic pursuits and as a child Norton developed a love of music, writing and performing. On the first day of middle school, Jack become best friends with Kitty Guadalupe Martinez Reyes (stage name DJ Kitty); the two would later marry and co-create a children's brand called, The Zinghoppers.
After high school, Norton studied Early Childhood Education and his experience as a preschool teacher helped form the educational principals found in the Zinghoppers music. Norton's senior thesis (entitled, "The Childhood Dignity Movement"), helped form the Zinghoppers core goals of "educating, entertaining and engaging" young children. While in college, Norton's love of hip-hop culture and dance music led him to attend raves and underground rap house parties. Electro, hip-hop, Disney pop and dance music serves as the basis of Norton's musical influences.
The Norton's moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2009 to begin production of "Totally, Zinghoppers!", a series for public television.