- As someone who grew up with only a brother, what was it like to not be the only daughter in the house?
For the most part, I would say I enjoyed growing up with a sister. She was someone I could relate to and go to for advice on things that I don’t think I would have gone to a brother for. However, I think there is a natural competition that arose due to how close we were in age. There was an unspoken rivalry to see who could get the best grades, have the coolest friends, go to prom with the cutest boy, be the best at sports, etc. Not to mention, I never got to buy my own clothes because I was constantly getting her stupid hand-me-downs. It sometimes was hard when we were younger, as I felt I had to be an exact replica of her, but as we grew older we became closer and the competition began to fade.
- Any fun memories about the bunnies you raised growing up?
My most vivid memories about my bunnies involve the birth of the three baby bunnies we raised. It was so fun to have three baby bunnies running around the house as well as two adult bunnies. They all had their unique personalities and I grew attached to them all in different ways. One of my favorite memories is going into my sunroom, where we kept the bunnies, and sitting by their cages and reading children’s books to them.
- What was it like the first time you sang in front of someone? An audience?
The first time I really remember singing semi-alone in front of an audience was probably during a short duet for my church choir. Honestly, I was terrified. I was so nervous and I sang so quietly that I really don’t think anyone could hear me. I specifically remember one boy from my class saying “Wow good thing someone else is singing with her cause she is as quiet as a mouse, you can’t even hear her.” Singing was never something I imagined I would grow so confident and passionate about. I definitely give credit to my family and my teachers for seeing something in me and pushing me to continue singing despite my nerves.
- What age did you stop believing in Santa and what caused that earth-shattering realization?
I don’t remember the exact age I stopped believing in Santa, I want to say maybe around fifth or sixth grade. One day I went into my mom’s room and I found a Build-A-Bear reindeer in her closet. I then proceeded to get that reindeer from Santa a few days later. I, of course, had to confront my mother about this, and she proceeded to tell me Santa was not real … and neither was the Easter Bunny … or the tooth fairy … or leprechauns. I was so heartbroken, my whole world was flipped upside down and everything I previously knew seemed to shatter. Oh, how I wish I could go back to the days when Santa was real and everything was magical.
- What was something you would beg you parents for as a child but never got?
Throughout my whole childhood (and even into my teenage years) I begged my parents to buy me a horse. Not a stuffed animal horse, a real live horse. I started riding horses at six years old and my love for horses grew throughout my middle and high school years. There was nothing in the world I wanted more than my very own horse. I saw other girls at my barn get horses that were my age and I was so jealous. I could not possibly understand why my parents wouldn’t get me a horse. Come to think of it, maybe it was because they cost thousands upon thousands of dollars to care for… I may occasionally still ask for a horse for Christmas, just in case they change their minds someday.
- It’s a bright and sunny day in the great city of Rochester, NY. What could Kiddo Marianne be found doing?
Kiddo Marianne would either be at the barn riding the many horses that she leased throughout the years or she would be at spotlight studios rehearsing for the next play she was going to be in. I would often try to keep up with horseback riding competitively, and also be in a musical at the same time. This kept me very busy and happy. I have so many memories of going to the barn on a hot summer day and going on trail rides with my friends, and then going to rehearsal later that night and singing my little heart out.
- Do you think Kiddo Marianne would be proud of Marianne today?
Honestly, I think kiddo Marianne would be very proud of Marianne today. If only kiddo me could see a glimpse of me now, I think she would be so incredibly happy. I have gone on to pursue musical theatre as a career, and I have become a confident and passionate performer, something I would have never thought was possible. I have the most incredible boyfriend in the history of the world; the first man that I dated will be my last. I think kiddo Marianne would be swooning over that. Also, I have actually figured out how to speak in social situations… I no longer am afraid to say words to other people… That was something kiddo Marianne really struggled with and I think she would be proud of me for overcoming that.