by Stephanie Struyck Elgin
When she takes the stage, it’s no doubt…she is a star.
Meet the multi-talented Marie Wise Hawkins, 24-year-old country singer and Santa Clarita native. Marie, who attended Sulphur Springs Elementary, La Mesa Junior High, and Canyon High School, also received a degree from the California Institute of the Arts where she majored in Classical Voice. 
No stranger to the stage, Marie fell in love with singing very early on. “I started singing when I was two years old,” states Marie. “I feel like God gave me the gift to sing and that’s what I was born to do.”
Marie’s talent has lead her to Monroeville, Alabama, where she was part of the ground-breaking Alabama China Symposium to help revitalize Alabama. “I performed for Governor Robert Bentley, George Landegger and Coach Gene Stallings,” states Marie. “They also gave me a key to the city. It was quite an honor.”
The talented young star was recognized as Female Vocalist of the Year by the North American CMA, won the Colgate Country Showdown Competitions at K-HAY (Ventura) and K-RZY (Santa Ynez) and received OMNI Awards in categories for Country, Country Duo, Broadway, and Gospel, as well as the Bertha Savage Award for Operatic Performance. Marie has performed at the Louise Mandrell Theatre in Piegeon Forge, Tennessee, the Mel Tillis Theater in Branson, Missouri, to name a few. Recently, Marie was chosen as one of six regional finalists to perform in Romano’s Macaroni Grill’s The Opera Sing Off in Dallas, Texas.
This summer, Marie will be opening for Peter Brandon at The Muck Theater in Fullerton. “I am so excited to be a part of this event,” states Marie. “Peter Brandon has shared the stage with country superstars including Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allen and many more. The concert is on July 25 and it is going to be an amazing show!”
“I grew up with country music, and it’s always been my passion, but I do love to perform for the theatre.” In fact, you may even recognize her as she has starred as Patsy Cline in Always….Patsy Cline and Betty Jean in The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Canyon Theatre Guild. Marie also played the roll of Eponine in Canyon High School’s production of Les Miserables. In April, Marie will be heading to Nashville, Tennessee to play the role of Betty Jean at the Actors Point Theatre Company Playhouse.
An active philanthropist, Marie has been a part of Relay for Life, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital’s Hometown Jamboree, Child & Family Center’s Taste of the Town, and many more. “From the time I first collected door-to-door for the Michael Hoefflin Foundation and then served as Little Miss SCV, including at more charitable events than most could ever imagine, I gained a sense of pride in being a part of our community. These benefits have taught me the importance of making a difference, be it for the less fortunate or on behalf of the organizations who tirelessly dedicate themselves to worthy causes.”
“None of this would be possible without Jesus Christ who gave me the gift of singing and the ability to share beautiful music with you over the years and now,” states Marie.
For more information about Marie, visit www.mariewisehawkins.com.
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