Cheryl E. Hardwick (b. 1944) is a composer and keyboardist who wrote several songs for Sesame Street. Hardwick began performing at an early age, participating in minstrel shows in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. She sang, danced, played the piano, and was known as "Brownsville's own version of Shirley Temple." She later formalized her talent at Juilliard, studying as a keyboard artist, and earning a master's degree in piano performance. In 1975, Hardwick became one of two keyboard players in the Saturday Night Live band, wrote song sketches for the show, and later became Musical Director in 1986.