Pandemic Inspires Unexpected Musical Duo: "Spooky Cat" Creators Captivate Audiences

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unexpected musical collaboration was born. Krissy Mondelli, a music teacher, and Todd Millenacker, a freight broker, joined forces to create the family-friendly music duo Todd'n'Tina.

The two had known each other for over a dozen years, having previously worked together on a car wash jingle. But it wasn't until the pandemic restrictions stifled Mondelli's creative outlets that the duo decided to take their musical partnership to the next level.

In mid-July, a crowd of excited kids gathered in St. Louis Park's Wolfe Park, chanting "Spooky Cat! Spooky Cat! Meow! Meow!" at a Todd'n'Tina concert. The high-energy, silly performance captivated the elementary schoolers, who jumped and danced along to the catchy melodies and humorous lyrics.

Millenacker's background in writing jingles for companies like Little Caesars and Davanni's has translated into incredibly catchy choruses, while Mondelli's editing skills help shape the duo's quirky, kid-friendly songs. Their debut album "Dynamite!" was released in January 2022, followed by "Kaboom!" in 2023 and "Bombtastic!" in 2024.

Unlike the more traditional children's entertainers like Barney or Raffi, Todd'n'Tina have built a loyal following among young audiences with their unique brand of intellectual, yet extremely silly, music. The pandemic may have been the catalyst for their unexpected collaboration, but their infectious energy and creativity have made them a beloved act for families across the region.