Port Charlotte, Florida, United States
Meet Mary Ouelette
"SINGING AND SIGNING" FOR SOUTHERN MICHIGAN AND TOLEDO COMMUNITIES
Hello! I’m Mary Ouelette (that’s o-let!) and I love music and entertaining! When I’m not behind my guitar I make my living as a full time sign language interpreter, which is very demanding but also extremely rewarding! I currently work in the K-12 setting as an educational interpreter but also freelance in the community in the Toledo, Ohio area.
I grew up watching my dad play music. He was a truck driver by day and a country western musician and singer on the weekends. I inherited the musical gene and eventually joined my dad’s band when I was 18 playing keyboards. After teaching myself to play acoustic guitar, I started entertaining on my own for festivals, luncheons, in church and talent shows. I also continued to sing with my dad and am so thankful to him for sharing his talent with me!
Meeting Lori Adams and becoming one of her movement specialists has truly been a blessing! Lori and I sang back up vocals for a band I’m in and that is how we met. She has become a dear friend and also a musical mentor to me. Watching her performing and doing movement with her audiences got me hooked on Movin and Groovin and here I am!
I love to perform toe-tappin’, hand clappin’ songs as well as a ballad or two. Great music, movement, and laughter are great for the soul as well as the body and mind!
I also teach some simple signs in American Sign Language that is easy to learn and use in songs. Did you know that signing is great for arthritis? We’ll sign away the stiffness! See you soon!