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Marianna
“Finding a Voice through Music”
A daughter of immigrants, Marianna has had to overcome adversity. The struggles of
growing up with immigrant parents has meant tough realities and life changing situations that
have affected Marianna personally. Finding your own voice and place of belonging are
challenging to anyone, but Marianna has risen above adversity and found hers through the
Latino Arts String Program (LASP) at the United Community Center.
Marianna entered the program in kindergarten with low self-esteem and as a painfully
shy child. Marianna’s mother enrolled her in LASP seeing the positive effects it had on her older
brother, a guitarist in the program. The Latino Arts Strings Program makes a long-term
commitment to its young musicians, nourishing a student’s growth for a period of 12-13 years.
As a result of musical training, students make positive choices and progress in all areas of their
lives. Marianna was no exception.
Throughout the years, Marianna’s musical talent has flourished, helping her evolve into
a self-assured, articulate, disciplined young woman. Continuous training,solo and group
recitals and Mariachi concerts have affected Marianna in a positive way. Through music,
Mariana has found her personal and cultural identity.
“Personally, theStrings Program has helped me discover myself. Before I used to be really shy,
and not speak up. But now I can play in front of 350,000 people and I’m proud. I feel that my violin has
given me a voice. When I play,I find I have a voice. Not a speaking voice,metaphorically the music I play
has a voice. Everyone here has their own voice when they play and it defines who we are.I see them
expressing themselves through music. Each voiceis
unique, but we share one thing in common. We are all
Latinos.”
Marianna has become a rising star as one of
the most accomplished young performers in LASP
and in her community. Marianna has won local, state
and national competitions and auditions, recently
receiving an Exemplary Soloist award at the
Wisconsin School Music Association’s State Solo
competition. She is often a spokesperson for LASP
on radio, TV, and fundraising events sharing her
story. She volunteers her time to fundraise for LASP
during outreach concerts and helps tutor young
violinists in the program. Marianna makes it a point
to share her talent with her community.
“One time I heard a child say to her father“I
want to be just like them.” That means a lot to us! It
makes us feel very proud thatotherLatino kids want to be
like us. We live in a Hispanic community and we are the

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only youth Mariachi group in our area and we are really well known for our talents. It’s important,
because all Hispanic youth need to know theculture that theirparents grewup with.”
Marianna’s musical achievement has also translated into academic achievement.
Carrying a 3.95 GPA, Marianna recently received a Five Star Scholarship giving her a full ride to
Brookfield Academy, one of the most prestigious private high schools in the area. Moreover,
she was one of 30 students in a national competition to receive a full scholarship to the Sphinx
Performance Academy at Oberlin College.
“I also see my older friendsin the Strings Program achieving their life goals, getting scholarships
to the best high schools, like University School, Brookfield Academy and Marquette. By going to all the
best high schools, they’rebecoming the leaders of our community. A lot of us have gone on to colleges, like
Marquette, Madison and Northwestern University.The strings program inspiresyouth like us to make a
difference in our community.”
Through LASP, Marianna has found a place in her community, found her voice through
the tune of a violin and continues to grow as a community leader. Marianna has a very bright
future ahead!
Program: Latino Arts Strings Program (LASP)
Submitted by: Dinorah Marquez