Local singer dreams of stardom
Published on December 13th, 2000
STONEHAM ,MA - What do you get when you combine a sweet singing voice, great presence, unsinkable ambition, and huge admiration for the pop group N'Sync into one small package? In these parts, that mixture is otherwise known as Greenview Road resident Marisa Martignetti who, at just 14 years old, has a musical resume more befitting someone twice her age.
The Stoneham High School freshman is a singer, who will sing anywhere, anytime, even during interviews.
"I sing all the time...I even sing in school. I'm not scared ...I'll just sing," says Martignetti.
But let us not put a label on this young talent. Along with singer, Martignetti could also list performer, actress and songwriter to her occupation history, if she was old enough.
While Martignetti always liked singing and could belt out a tune as a youngster at family weddings, a 1994 course at the Barbizon Modeling Agency set into motion pursuit of a dream that might have otherwise been considered just a "phase" the young girl was going through.
But six years later, Martignetti's list of accomplishments with respect to that "phase" is a growing one, having performed in a number of venues and always looking for more challenges.
She has performed in plays during her Stoneham Middle School years, including Hooray for Hollywood and Pompadours and Poodle Skirts.
She has brought the town to its dancing feet at past Town Day celebrations, and was a finalist in the essay and singing contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Find Your Voice - "Keep It Fresh," part of the state's campaign to teach young people about the dangers of smoking. She also sings in restaurants such as Caruso's in Melrose and Via Montefalcione in Waltham.
This summer, Martignetti performed in the King Richard's Fair. Playing two roles, that of the lead, Dorali, as well as Princess Elizabeth, required Martignetti and family to spend two months worth of weekends in the southeastern Massachusetts town of Carver, where the fair is held each year.
Singing lessons at the Bristol Studios in Boston and acting lessons at the Wheelock Family Theater have also helped Martignetti perfect her craft, and now, she is adding songwriting to her credentials.
With her own CD out, the pop singer who loves all kinds of music, has composed three songs, “When I Walk On My Own,” “I Need You,” and “My Broken Heart.”
Martignetti's range is growing since her dad sent the latter to a record company who has distributed the songs to 100 radio stations across the country, including local stations KISS 108, 106.7, 94.5 and WMJX.
Once the Christmas song that she is currently working on is complete, Martignetti hopes to enlist her parents help in composing an Italian number.
Though not yet proficient in reading music, Martignetti does not let that stop her from music composition.
"I think of the melody and the words, then sing it to my studio, and they figure it out," she explains.
While much of her inspiration comes from inside, Martignetti also credits that famous all-boy band with keeping her singing.
"If I'm scared before going on stage, I listen to N'Sync...They always get me in the mood."
The supportive Martignetti family also includes older siblings Annamaria, a Stoneham High School senior, who captains cheerleading and field hockey and, according to her sister, also has a great singing voice, and Dominic, a college man at Brandeis.
One evening last week found Martignetti and her parents scouring the house to find a video of the singing sensation to submit to the Jenny Jones television show. Mrs. Martignetti submitted her daughter's CD several months ago after seeing that Jones would be holding a talent show. The show liked what it heard and, just last week, asked for a video of Martignetti performing. Whether Martignetti makes the Jones cut remains to be seen, but Stoneham already has much to be proud of in the teen.
"I just want people to like my singing," Martignetti said. She praises her friends for their support of her endeavors.
"They just are good friends. We have fun when we're together. They don't just focus on that (her music)."
She offers this advice to any other aspiring singer:
"Never give up ... Get a lot of experience. Go out there and sing."
A loving family, good friends, a boat load of talent, and dreams of becoming a professional singer. Could one teenager possibly ask for anything else?
"Oh yeah, I want to meet N'Sync."
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