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By Jonsie Evans ’95, Director of Alumni Relations

On a typical day in Park Slope, Brooklyn, you’ll find Kristen Anderson-

Lopez ’90 and her husband, Robert Lopez, singing with their two children,

accompanied by the piano, in their home recording studio. But what looks like

play is really the passion behind the work of two very talented artists, writers,

and performers. Kristen and Robert are the dynamic duo behind the music and

lyrics of various feature films and theater productions, including Disney’s new

animated film Frozen. Their song “Let It Go” from Frozen was nominated

for both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for “Best Original Song.”

Kristen Anderson-Lopez ’90 and her husband strike a melodious note

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The success of their work-life partnership was unmistakable, and major players in the industry took notice. Since Finding Nemo, Kristen and robert were brought on by Disney to co-write songs for Winnie the Pooh, released in 2011, and Frozen, the animated hit of the 2013 holiday season.

From Gorelick Family Theater to BroadwayKristen’s interest in music and theater started early. From performing with the Children’s Theater of Charlotte to playing Mary Magdalene in the Upper School production of Jesus Christ Superstar her senior year, she was drawn to the creative process. After graduating from Williams College, thinking she wasn’t seasoned enough to audition in New York City, Kristen

headed to Jupiter, Florida, to work with a small musical theater group. “We were basically indentured servants, 10 of us working as both cast and crew and putting on 13 productions per year,” she says.

It wasn’t too long before Kristen found her way to NYC, where she spent most of her twenties temping and playing minor roles in small productions. “These are what I refer to as my ‘lost years.’ The performance highlight was playing nuns

(yes, plural!) in New Hampshire, but really I was mostly learning how to be an adult,” she shared.

Even though she was pursuing a career as an actress, Kristen was constantly rewriting lyrics to songs and coming up with spoofs to musicals. When Mark Hollmann, a Broadway composer and lyricist, said “You’re a lyricist,” it clicked for her. Yes, she was a lyricist, but she didn’t really know what to do next.

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Kristen, robert, and their daughters Katie and annie walking the “white carpet” at the Frozen world premiere in Hollywood last november.

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Scan the code to watch a video of Kristen and

her husband discussing what it was like to work

with stars Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel on the

film Frozen. http://bit.ly/anderson-lopez

Kristen’s Country Day ExperienceKristen entered Country Day as an Upper School student when her family moved to North Carolina. She vividly remembers the great teachers who influenced her development as a student and engaged her as an artist.

Thanks to Mary Allen Todd, Kristen’s obsession with Shakespeare began in junior English. She fondly recalls how passionate she was writing from the perspective of a lawyer defending Portia, the heroine of The Merchant of Venice.

Rob Williams directed the play Jesus Christ Superstar, in which Kristen played Mary Magdalene her senior year, and inspired her love of the stage (pictured left).

Stephanie Wilder (formerly Felder) was a role model for Kristen and taught her that “literature is cool.”

Gary Forbis played a large part in developing her musical talents. “Mr. Forbis was incredibly dedicated. He gave us really challenging stuff, like Benjamin Britten and Handel.” She added that the choir trips to perform in Florida were a highlight.

Math teacher Tim Timson really helped Kristen understand her own “out-of-the-box” approach to math. “He would always give a problem during class that would allow me to shine.”

working as writer and composer on the Walt Disney World production of Finding Nemo–The Musical.

The success of their work-life partnership was unmistakable, and major players in the industry took notice. Since Finding Nemo, Kristen and Robert were brought on by Disney to co-write songs for Winnie the Pooh, released in 2011, and Frozen, the animated hit of the 2013 holiday season.

Working on Frozen was truly a family affair, both in inspiration and creation. In addition to Kristen and Robert composing eight original songs for the film, their daughters Katie (8) and Annie (4) also have voice parts. It was a dream come true for the Lopez family—to have the opportunity to collaborate with the master storytellers at Disney and work with incredible talent like Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell, two of the featured voices in Frozen.

“Listening to a 72-piece orchestra play our songs, walking the ‘white carpet,’ and seeing our work realized on a giant movie screen was incredibly transcendent,” says Kristen. Of course, being nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe definitely adds icing to the cake.

Back in Brooklyn…Currently, Kristen and Robert are back in their Brooklyn studio focused on several upcoming projects. In a recent USA Today interview, Kristen said, “I get to play all day with my best friend, and he also happens to be my favorite Broadway composer. We’re both very, very grateful.” The duo is working on a yet-to-be announced Disney project and a stage production called Up Here.

Luckily, Kristen found the perfect program for her to develop her passion and skills through the BMI Foundation—an opportunity that she looks back on as a “one-stop shop” for her personal and professional life. During the three-year program, Kristen was introduced to talented industry professionals who she still collaborates with today, including her husband.

Life, Love, and WorkKristen and Robert’s relationship began in 1999 at a New York forum for writers and musical theater. Robert performed a song from Avenue Q, the musical which later earned him a Tony Award for Best Original Score, and it was love at first sight. In 2002, the couple first collaborated professionally on several songs for Disney/Jim Henson’s Bear in the Big Blue House television series. Kristen and Robert were married the following year, and in 2006 they began