Meet Emmy-Winning Sesame Street Puppeteer, Megan Piphus
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When Nashville's Megan Piphus opens her mouth, magic happens — whether with a puppet on Sesame Street or in a room full of young girls realizing their talents. A four-time Emmy winner, Megan is the first Black female Sesame Street puppeteer and the driving force behind a new musical collaboration with the nonprofit Saving Our Daughters. We caught up with her to talk puppets, purpose, and the power of dreaming big. Get to know this talented FACE of the South!
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What has been the most rewarding part of bringing Gabrielle to life on Sesame Street?
The reaction from parents and grandparents! Gabrielle has inspired young girls around the world to be comfortable with their uniqueness — their skin, their hair, and their culture. A grandmother told me that Gabrielle inspired her 5-year-old granddaughter to be comfortable wearing her natural hair to school; she now wears her hair in puffs just like Gabrielle.
Your new album, Cinderella Sweep, sounds incredibly inspiring. How did the collaboration with Saving Our Daughters come together?
When I started working on my album Cinderella Sweep, I realized that the primary audience for the project would be young girls. And what better group to partner with on the album than Saving Our Daughters? The organization mentors young girls in the arts and media by pairing them with celebrity mentors who are experts in their fields, ranging from Broadway stars to broadcast journalists.
Pin
How do you approach writing lyrics that resonate with children, while tackling big topics like self-esteem?
I start by writing music like a song you would hear on the radio. Then, I thoughtfully craft lyrics that fit within that musical framework. My favorite song I've written is about financial literacy. It teaches the concept of credit through a frivolous frog who maxed out his credit card without realizing he would have to pay everything back with interest.
With your book Talk to the Hand, set to release in 2026, what message do you hope young readers take away?
I hope that readers learn to be brave — so brave that they share their voice with their peers, and so brave that they are inspired to try something new … even if it seems super different and as peculiar as talking to a puppet.
Pin
As a mom of two boys, how has motherhood influenced the stories you tell and the characters you create?
Many of my stories are inspired by my two boys. I write many songs while sitting in their room and playing. I was inspired to write the song 'Good Morning' by sitting in their room and imagining what song they would like to hear every day to encourage them to have a good day. I ended the chorus with 'Good morning to you,' and my youngest son changed the line to 'Good morning to you, you, and you,' which made the song feel like it was being sung to a room full of kids in a classroom.
Who were your heroes growing up?
My parents. My dad is a pastor and musician in Cincinnati who founded an influential non-denominational church that grew internationally with up to nine churches in Western and Eastern Africa. He inspired me to live by faith and with purpose. He used music to heal and inspire our community.
My mother is a veteran teacher and speech-language pathologist for Cincinnati Public Schools. She uses highly creative teaching methods and pulls from her own resources to make customized curriculums for her students. My parents' influence and creativity taught me to use my gifts to give and teach.
Pin
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
It was from a 30-year-plus veteran security guard named Mr. Meridy at my high school. He said, 'I've seen many students come and go. I've seen them succeed and fail.' He looked into my soul and said, 'Be a leader, not a follower.' I remember that advice when thinking of what projects I want to work on. I lead with purpose and intention instead of chasing what's popular.
Finally, we always ask: What are three things can't you live without?
1. Movement. I love to dance and run.
2. Traveling. I love experiencing new places.
3. Freedom. I love having the freedom to create and dream.
**********
Meet more inspiring Southern women at our FACES archives!
About the Author Jenna Bratcher
Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
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Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit When Nashville's Megan Piphus opens her mouth, magic happens — whether with a puppet on Sesame Street or in a room full of young girls realizing their talents. A four-time Emmy winner, Megan is the first Black female Sesame Street puppeteer and the driving force behind a new musical collaboration with the nonprofit Saving Our Daughters. We caught up with her to talk puppets, purpose, and the power of dreaming big. Get to know this talented FACE of the South! Pin What has been the most rewarding part of bringing Gabrielle to life on Sesame Street? The reaction from parents and grandparents! Gabrielle has inspired young girls around the world to be comfortable with their uniqueness — their skin, their hair, and their culture. A grandmother told me that Gabrielle inspired her 5-year-old granddaughter to be comfortable wearing her natural hair to school; she now wears her hair in puffs just like Gabrielle. Your new album, Cinderella Sweep, sounds incredibly inspiring. How did the collaboration with Saving Our Daughters come together? When I started working on my album Cinderella Sweep, I realized that the primary audience for the project would be young girls. And what better group to partner with on the album than Saving Our Daughters? The organization mentors young girls in the arts and media by pairing them with celebrity mentors who are experts in their fields, ranging from Broadway stars to broadcast journalists. Pin How do you approach writing lyrics that resonate with children, while tackling big topics like self-esteem? I start by writing music like a song you would hear on the radio. Then, I thoughtfully craft lyrics that fit within that musical framework. My favorite song I've written is about financial literacy. It teaches the concept of credit through a frivolous frog who maxed out his credit card without realizing he would have to pay everything back with interest. With your book Talk to the Hand, set to release in 2026, what message do you hope young readers take away? I hope that readers learn to be brave — so brave that they share their voice with their peers, and so brave that they are inspired to try something new … even if it seems super different and as peculiar as talking to a puppet. Pin As a mom of two boys, how has motherhood influenced the stories you tell and the characters you create? Many of my stories are inspired by my two boys. I write many songs while sitting in their room and playing. I was inspired to write the song 'Good Morning' by sitting in their room and imagining what song they would like to hear every day to encourage them to have a good day. I ended the chorus with 'Good morning to you,' and my youngest son changed the line to 'Good morning to you, you, and you,' which made the song feel like it was being sung to a room full of kids in a classroom. Who were your heroes growing up? My parents. My dad is a pastor and musician in Cincinnati who founded an influential non-denominational church that grew internationally with up to nine churches in Western and Eastern Africa. He inspired me to live by faith and with purpose. He used music to heal and inspire our community. My mother is a veteran teacher and speech-language pathologist for Cincinnati Public Schools. She uses highly creative teaching methods and pulls from her own resources to make customized curriculums for her students. My parents' influence and creativity taught me to use my gifts to give and teach. Pin What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? It was from a 30-year-plus veteran security guard named Mr. Meridy at my high school. He said, 'I've seen many students come and go. I've seen them succeed and fail.' He looked into my soul and said, 'Be a leader, not a follower.' I remember that advice when thinking of what projects I want to work on. I lead with purpose and intention instead of chasing what's popular. Finally, we always ask: What are three things can't you live without? 1. Movement. I love to dance and run. 2. Traveling. I love experiencing new places. 3. Freedom. I love having the freedom to create and dream. ********** Meet more inspiring Southern women at our FACES archives! About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
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