“Music is the strongest form of magic.” - Marilyn Manson. The magic of music has helped Marleena to express herself and connect with others during her growing years when she was struggling to accept her genetic condition Albinism. In her first opportunity at age twelve, she was a featured soloist on an album by Mike Nobel titled “Color me green” and recorded television jingles and directed local musicals and talent shows. After college Marleena went on to serve as the Choir Director for over ten years at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles and has also performed in the Southern California area in numerous musicals and cabaret shows. Besides performing, she is also involved in Very Special Arts, an arts and disability organization associated with the Kennedy Center. Marleena was also recognized by the Kennedy Center via the VSA California Young Soloist award as well as by her alma mater, Whittier College, for her advocacy work.

Can you tell us about your musical journey? How has music influenced your life?M: My musical journey began at a young age when my parents noticed my affinity for music. I was enrolled in piano and dance lessons as early as the age of 3, but it was at age 10 when I discovered my love for singing. I performed for an audience for the very first time at a school talent show. I remember singing “The Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston, and feeling very connected to that song. The lyrics were relevant to my situation as a young girl with Albinism struggling with self-love and acceptance. Realizing that I could use music as a vehicle to express myself was life changing. I remember feeling a connection with my audience and feeling like they were seeing who I really was for the first time. From the moment I heard the roaring applause, I knew that singing was something I wanted to pursue, so I participated in all the music programs provided by my school and community and continued with private piano and voice lessons all the way through high school. I would take every opportunity to perform; singing at county fairs, charity events and singing the National Anthem for sports games. When I was 12, I was given the opportunity to record a song as part of an environmentally themed children’s album which was part of campaign through the local NBC affiliate television station in Maine. The songwriter for the project became a wonderful friend and mentor to me and provided me with additional opportunities to record jingles and original songs he had written. I have been very fortunate to have several wonderful teachers and mentors over the years who have taken the time to work through my visual obstacles and provide the best possible education and coaching. By 15, I was working for local summer camps directing musicals and talent shows and discovering that I loved teaching and mentoring youth through theater and music. I majored in music in college, and since then, have been blessed to have experienced a little of everything throughout my musical journey as an adult; classical music, musical theater, singing in cover bands, contemporary a cappella, recording, arranging, directing, and most recently dabbling in song writing. But no matter what aspect if music I am involved in, it really goes back to why I fell in love with it in the first place; self-expression and connecting with others.

What is your most memorable performance as a Cabaret artist?M: In my most memorable performances as a Cabaret artist, two stand out in my mind. I was invited by the Kennedy Center to perform my one-woman show about my life growing up legally blind with Albinism for the 2010 International VSA Festival. The festival featured artists with disabilities from around the world. To be featured among the caliber of talent that was showcased was truly an honor and an experience I will never forget. The second, and most recent performance, was for the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2016. This performance was particularly special in that it was the first time I had performed for the Albinism community. Here, I was performing for an audience where most shared similar stories and feelings of what it was like to have Albinism. It was an extra special connection. I was especially touched by talking with parents of children who have Albinism after the show. We shared tears and embraces and I realized that my story gave them a glimpse of what their child’s experiences may be like. I felt like my story gave them hope (and relief) that their children would be OK.

Can you tell us about your involvement in the Braille Institute in Los Angeles?M: I worked for the Braille Institute, a non-profit organization that provides free services for the blind and visually impaired, for a little over eleven years. I directed a choir of all blind and visually impaired students ages 8-18 which I considered a great privilege and some of the most meaningful work I have done in my life. I was proud to have led the choir to gold-ratings at adjudicated festivals, created a young men’s choir and implemented a summer musical theater program including two musical productions during my time there. I left my position in 2016 to pursue a Maters degree in non-profit arts management, and hope to continue to provide arts opportunities to those who may not normally receive them. At times I miss teaching, but I’m looking forward to what this new chapter holds.

Which do you prefer, singing or teaching music and why?M: This is a tough question to answer as I love both teaching and performing equally. However, I receive different things from each. In performing, I love to connect with audiences, especially through cabaret performance style which is intimate and conversation-like. I feel like the audience and I share a moment in time together where, through hearing my story and songs, they are reminded of their story and are prompted to feel and relive moments of their journey. In teaching, I enjoy witnessing the transformation that occurs through music and theater; watching students open up, climb out of their shell and discover their voices and let go of their insecurities. I feel like both teaching and performing provide a great sense of satisfaction; a giving of myself, yet at the same time, receiving so much in return.

How do you involve yourself in advocacy?M: I consider myself to be an advocate in the sense that I strive to be a voice for my students and other artists with disabilities by raising awareness and breaking stereotypes through various speaking engagements and performances. I also strive to be a model of independence for my students and to my audiences, demonstrating that those of us with extra challenges are just “differently abled”--- that we are just as capable and can be just as successful as our “fully abled” peers.

What challenges did you face during your school days? What or who motivated you to face those challenges?M: Looking physically different from my peers was a challenge for me in my early school years. The genetic condition I was born with, called Albinism, affects the pigmentation of the eyes, hair and skin, causes sensitivity to sunlight and also affects visual acuity. I had frizzy, curly, white hair, thick glasses and used several vision aids in addition to a white cane which drew a lot of unwanted attention. I was called granny, old lady, Casper, Q-Tip, white-haired mummy and Albino in a mocking way. I grew up in a small town in Maine, and though a wonderful town in many ways, lacked diversity. I definitely stood out and that sometimes made me feel isolated. As I mentioned above, music was truly my saving grace. As soon as I began to discover my abilities in music, I began to notice a shift in how others’ perceived me. My peers began to focus on my ability rather than my disability and I began to feel more and more confident about who I was and my place in the world.
I am also grateful to have a “problem-solver” attitude. I’ve always been the type of person to question “why not?” or “how can we make this work?” I am extremely determined and when I set my mind to something---especially if I am passionate about it---I’m set on achieving it! I think this outlook has helped me through many challenges in my life. Finding creative ways to adapt to the world around me has proven that there is often more than one way of doing things. I attribute much of this attitude to my parents who taught me to work hard, even if that means you might have to work harder than your peers, and encouraged me to dream big.

Who is your musical inspiration?M: Children and youth are my musical inspiration. It is what drives me to create and perform. I have a deep rooted belief in the power of believing in oneself and self-love. It is so important to me to instill these ideals in young people. It is so rewarding to watch a child connect with themselves and others through music.

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?M: I am a huge fan of Disney and conveniently live 10 minutes away from the happiest place on earth. My husband, two daughters and I have annual passes and we spend much of our free time enjoying the magic Disney provides. I also love to bake and partake in arts and crafts with my girls. Over the past two summers I’ve create Disney movie themed weeks where I create scavenger hunts at Disneyland park, arts and crafts and baking activities that coincide with each week’s theme. I also love photographer and like to practice on friends and family with some armature photo shoots.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to learn music?M: I think it’s important to find teachers and mentors who are willing to be work with whatever your special needs may be. If you have certain physical limitations that may make learning music or playing an instrument challenging, be creative to find ways to adapt and accommodate your learning. There is always a way! A unique quality of the arts is that anyone can participate, enjoy and express themselves through a variety of mediums.

Any special message for our community?M: Find the gifts that make you unique. Having a disability, or a physical difference already sets you a apart from the rest, but it is not all of who you are. You are not your disability. I encourage young children to find what their special interests and talents are and parents to help their children identify and nurture those talents. For myself, when times were tough and I found myself feeling down about myself and my challenges as a visually impaired person, I could turn to music and be reminded that my artistic talents and all my other interests were who I was, not my Albinism. In the words of my favorite song: “learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.”