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People On The Move: Anna Maria Mannarino
04/30/2009
NON-STOP CREATIVITY
Between her livelihood and her dream, Anna Maria Mannarino gets to express her creative side every day. As owner of Mannarino Designs, the Holmdel resident works as an interior designer and also puts together special events and productions, including weddings, cocktail parties, party receptions, and themed parties. She doesn’t always stay behind the scenes, however. Anna Maria is an accomplished singer, having performed for the President of Finland, Tarja Halonen. In addition, she has taken the stage at Nell’s in New York City, and was accompanied by legendary trumpet player, Ted Curson. You can find her singing at Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair several times each year; next date…May 21.
“Music is my passion,” says Anna Maria, who has been officially running her business since 1996. “I am inspired so much by music. I really love all kinds of music. I get it watching movies or [sometimes] seeing a certain type of show inspires events and themes for events. It all comes back to having a creative side.”
Anna Maria always thought her life was going to be about music. She has been performing on stage since she was in high school and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, majoring in music and theater. After graduation, she worked with a number of different bands doing a variety of music. Additionally, she helped put together a number of special events held at an art gallery in SoHo (in New York City) where she was working. She loved doing it, and eventually left the art world to devote more time to special events. From there she progressed into interior design after she was asked often by clients at her events for decorating tips. Now she is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
“I just have to be in the creative process somehow, and I’m lucky I get to do that,” says Anna Maria, who, when she’s not planning or singing, enjoys cooking and entertaining at home. “I am very fortunate I get to do that. The interior design and the special events overlap more than you think.”
For the interior design part of her business, Anna Maria helps her clients with everything from single day consultations to complete renovations. Recently, she has been helping home sellers prepare their homes for the real estate market…to attract buyers. The special events, which she has been doing for more than 18 years, have become quite a production. She has created a Wizard of Oz themed party at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City (one of her favorite events), and recreated a 1950’s theme, complete with a drive-in movie theater, for a birthday party.
When she decided to put her “all” into her business, Anna Maria actually stopped performing; however, several years ago, some of her friends and clients encouraged her to return to singing. She reluctantly entered the Singin’ New Jersey contest and ended up a semi-finalist. That was where she met the owners of Trumpets, who then invited her to perform at their club, which, in turn, opened the door for her music comeback. Then she met Curson, who further encouraged Anna Maria to do more singing. She is currently working on a recording.
Those who see Anna Maria perform (in a show that lasts over three hours) will hear her sing one of more than 100 songs in her repertoire – from pop to adult contemporary to standards from Ella Fitzgerald and Barbra Streisand. She even sings some tunes normally sung by men.. No matter what the song, Anna Maria revels being on stage.
“I love it,” she says. “I feel very comfortable when I have a mike in my hand and I am singing. I really kind of lose myself on stage. I love having the feedback and reaction from the audience. Once the music starts a switch goes on.”
In music and design, artists develop a sense of style. Anna Maria is lucky she gets to display hers in both. Must be a dream come true.
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Julia’s in Atlantic Highlands
FAVORITE MUSICIANS
Rob Thomas and Barbra Streisand
FAVORITE MOVIES
Yentl, West Side Story, and Crash
PET PEEVE
call waiting
THREE PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
Charles Gibson, Hilary Clinton, and Pope John Paul II
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