Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Snow.
Hi Mariah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been performing on stage since the age of 4. I studied Vocal Performance at Seminole State College and have 30+ years of professional performing credits. Some favorite performance experiences are; performing at the World’s Fair in Spain in 1992, performing as “Dolly” in “Hello Dolly”, “Pontius Pilot” in an all-female cast of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, The “Chaperone” in “The Drowsy Chaperone”, and “The Narrator” in “Joseph and The Amazing To Dreamcoat”. Some other favorite roles were in Evita, Pajama Game, Mack & Mabel, & The Pirates of Penzance.
I am an accomplished musical director and the owner of Mariah’s Music & Arts. I teach full time in person in my home state of Florida, as well as a large group of virtual students in Northern Virginia, where I spent 25 years. Additionally, I teach virtually internationally. I teach voice, piano, acting, public speaking, and media training. I host bi-annual recitals in both Florida and Virginia. I teach students, ranging in age from 5 to 95 and believe it is NEVER too late to pursue your love of music and the arts.
For the last year and a half, I have also served as Director of Music/Choir Director for a local congregation.
I also hold a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from Old Dominion University and spent 13 years in D.C. working for KPMG Consulting/BearingPoint providing professional consulting services to more than 15 Federal Government agencies. I specialized in Business Process Improvement, software implementation, client relations, and training.
Although that seems like a career path far from the arts, I performed in professional theater productions during those years up north and the experience in the business field truly prepared me for successfully running my business all these years! For that, I’m truly grateful!
However, in order to provide a stable schedule and be available for my young children, I left the corporate world and established Mariah’s Music & Arts in 2012 and have loved every minute since. One of my greatest joys is teaching others and building their confidence in not only the arts, but also skills for success in life!
In 2021 when everything went virtual due to the pandemic. I took advantage of the opportunity to returned to my beautiful home state of Florida and live out my dream of living at my childhood beaches. I feel truly blessed to be “home”!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Is there ever a smooth road?!! lol No!! However, I can say that I have been truly blessed. My faith, philosophies, positive thinking, drive, and refusal to be limited has always propelled me through. I learned some tough lessons along the way, however, the positives in my life have always outweighed the bad. Was that because it’s what I focused on, or were there more blessings? I’m not sure, but we all have a choice in what we focus on and how we respond. It makes ALL the difference.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I believe what sets me apart from others is vast experience and empathy. So many in the arts field have forgotten where they came from, the struggles, the pain, and the sheer emotional toll it takes to put yourself in front of people. I also believe that my style and philosophy of teaching sets me apart. I DO NOT sit at the piano and listen to my students sing. I actively watch every breath, movement, mouth shape, and posture change. I listen to every glitch and slide and pitch. Is it intense for my students? Absolutely. Do they excel? HECK YEH!! And we both thrive on their success!! NOTHING makes me happier!!
I teach one of the most weird and difficult instruments known to man. The voice. I can’t touch it or even see most of it. So, teaching voice has to remain a creative visualization and experiment between you and the artist. Every voice, body, and artist is different and that takes intense attention and focus on my part to adapt MY teaching to best serve each individual. It is NOT a “teach it one way” or “memorize this” and everyone will get it kind of job. It’s my job to figure out how each individual learns as well as the special and amazing quirks of their instrument. It takes patience, encouragement, stamina, and sometimes tough love.
I also specialize in teaching all ages to play piano and chord through songs in only a few lessons. It brings me great joy to see those who’ve struggled their whole lives, sit down and play and sing!
Another speciality is audition prep! There are just some things that come with age!! (Which we won’t talk about in detail lol) So much of audition prep is having a vast repertoire in your head to pull from. Knowing not only what songs fit your students’ voice but also fit the style of the show or school requirements is a skill all on its own. Hearing a melody and pulling 3 other similar sounding songs comes with time and experience.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Well… here’s 3 Stay One Step Ahead if you want to keep inspiring people. You cannot be lazy. You must think ahead, work ahead, create ahead and keep leading!
Your brain believes anything you tell it! Stay positive!
Know when to let go and let God!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariahsmusicandarts.rocks/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahs_music_and_arts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=mariah%27s%20music%20%26%20arts-private%20voice%20lessons
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mariahsmusicarts2210
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mariahs-music-and-arts-ormond-beach
Image Credits
Mike Kitaif
