Marci Lynne Solomon, who as a child wowed classmates with her version of “Over the Rainbow,” has landed in her new home of West Windsor with both feet on the ground and is ready to share her expertise with singers of all ages. She is presenting workshops at Cookie Cottage in Hamilton and Alphabooks in Lawrenceville, and singing lessons at Quakerbridge Learning Center in Lawrenceville, in the next few weeks.
“Over the Rainbow” is her signature song since age three. Solomon has more than 50 years of singing, dancing, and acting, for stage, films, and television, under her belt. A third generation performer (her grandparents and her mother worked in vaudeville), she began singing the song under her mother’s tutelage when she was only three.
She, and her daughter, Mardi Alayna Lee, present “Music and Movement for Children,” a singing and dancing program for ages 18 months to four years at Alphabet Soup Books in Lawrenceville. The first session on Saturday, September 9, is a free introductory presentation. She also offers, “Fear of Singing,” a workshop for people who have a fantasy to sing, at the Cookie Cottage in Hamilton on Thursdays, September 7 and 14.
Solomon, born in Bridgeton, began her professional career at the age of eight at Vineland Music Center, her parent’s school of performing arts. As the new kid on the block she sang “Over the Rainbow” to get people’s attention.
She is a graduate of the American Theater Wing and the Herbert Berghoff School of Acting, both in New York City. She toured the continent with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and has had numerous one-woman shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Austin. When she left home at 18, she told her mother “I have to be on my own to grow up” and headed to New York City by bus. When she was invited on the road to do rock and roll, her parents took turns accompanying her. Her past also includes USO tours, opening for Sammy David Jr. and Rodney Dangerfield, and gigs in the Borscht Belt and the Poconos. During the 1960s, she worked New York City clubs, including the Living Room, Playboy Club, Rat Fink, and Dangerfields.
Solomon moved to West Windsor a few months ago and is enjoying her daughter and grandsons, Steven, 3, and Carter, 13 months, who live in Lawrenceville.
“Early learning is important to develop the ear, promote listening, and teach timing,” she says. The program presents new and familiar songs and each child will be using a tambourine, triangle, or shaker to assist them in keeping time with the music. The children will also be dancing and using their hands to express and interpret the songs.
“It takes a community to raise a child but there’s only a small window of opportunity to watch grandchildren grow and be a part of their lives.”
It wasn’t until she was 45 that she realized she had a learning disability. “I had not been taught well in the school system,” she recalls. Now Solomon takes learning differences into consideration with each student. “I can teach anyone to sing,” she says. “I’ll go through any door and do whatever it takes to help someone learn.”
“Learn How to Sing in Tune” is both her training CD and a workshop she teaches. She owns the Performing Arts and Human Concern Center in Austin, Texas, where she has taught pop, jazz, blues, acting, public speaking, and rap. Two of her students, Autumn Barr and Mary Jo Pierce, have been Star Search winners.
Her CD, “The Life of a Singer: Marci Lynne Solomon,” features her signature song as well as songs relating to her life. It is available at www.marcilynne.com.
Fear of Singing, Cookie Cottage, 3697A Nottingham Way, Hamilton, 609-530-0320. www.marcilynne.com. Workshop for people who have always had a fantasy to sing. Free. Thursdays, September 7 and 14, 7 p.m.
Sing and Dance: Music and Movement for Children, Alphabet Soup Books, Lawrence Shopping Center, 609-530-0320. Introduction to new music program for ages 18 months to four years. Register. Free. Saturday, September 9, 10 a.m.
Singing Lessons, Quakerbridge Computer and Learning Services, 4044 Quakerbridge Road, Lawrenceville, 609-530-0320. www.marcilynne.com. Register.
