Mary G. has said that music is her real passion. Recently, she has been taking that passion to new heights during her classes at the WAE Center, where she has been exploring not only singing but also the world of music production.
One afternoon, Mary walked into her solo vocal class with Tammy Weiner, the WAE Center’s Music Facilitator, carrying something special: a CD of her own recording. The group gathered to listen together, and as her voice filled the room with Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb,” everyone cheered.
The recording itself was simple—just a single take with some basic editing and mixing so that Mary could bring something home to share. With help from WAE Center Digital Art Facilitator, Bill Hall, she found both the original song and an instrumental track. Although she preferred to sing along with the full version, Bill helped to line up the tracks so that her voice could shine through on its own.
For Mary, this project is more than just singing a favorite song. She faces challenges with enunciation, making it difficult at times for listeners to understand the lyrics. Recording and practicing the piece has become an opportunity to work on her clarity and expression, with the gentle guidance of her voice teacher, Tammy. Together, they are preparing not only Mary, but also other WAE Center members, to perform the song in an upcoming WAE Center showcase.
Mary’s interest in recording began with a small question. One day, she noticed a microphone stand and asked what it was for. That moment of curiosity opened a new door—her schedule was adjusted to include digital arts where members pursue their own projects.
Each step of the way, Mary is proving to herself—and showing others—that her voice matters. Her journey with “The Climb” is not just about mastering a song, but about discovering confidence, creativity, and pride in her own abilities.
As Miley Cyrus sings: “There’s always gonna be another mountain.” For Mary, each new verse, each new recording, is another step forward on her climb.