Delightful Diva

Marcia Hines biography is called Diva and such is the nature of the lady she would dismiss the title wholeheartedly but Marcia is a Diva in the nicest sense. Nowadays, we associate the word with the pop star who makes extraordinary demands, such as the number of Evian water bottles to be stocked in their hotel room, or the décor that must be such and such a colour to give them that perfect ambience but away from that, Diva is from the Italian and refers to a celebrated female singer, a woman of outstanding talent in opera or other genres. Diva is ‘goddess’ and Marcia is certainly a goddess of outstanding musical talent.

Marcia is humble though and lists her perception of a diva to be Dame Joan Sutherland.

Marcia will be presenting her outstanding talent to Tasmanian audiences at the Launceston Country Club on 29th July 2011.

Tassie readers may be surprised to know that Ms Hines once made her home in Tasmania. When Marcia first came to Australia to perform in ‘Hair’ she lived in both Launceston and Hobart. More recently Marcia spent a 3 day holiday at Freycinet so her links to our island state are longstanding.

But before all that Marcia’s story is one of an immigrant from Jamaica that made her home in Boston, Marcia is related to other famous Jamaican alumni in Colin Powell and Grace Jones.

It’s hard to believe that Marcia as a 16 year old made the decision to travel from Boston to Australia to take part in ‘Hair’ but as Marcia says as a 16 year old she had no fear and she also had a very supportive and strong lady in her Mum Esme who attended Marcia’s audition with her.

Marcia has never regretted her decision to leave Boston and make a new home in Australia and begin the stellar career that led to her now icon status here.

A career that has seen Marcia perform in ‘Hair’ as the youngest feature cast member in the world, star as Mary Magdalene in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and win Queen of Pop three times in a row as well as being inducted into the ARIA hall of fame.

When I asked Marcia if any of these stood out as her most memorable career highlight she noted that all were of equal significance, but one accolade she prized especially, because it gave her an emotional ‘wow’ was winning Queen of Pop for the first time. At that time she was only an Australian resident not yet a citizen and the win made her feel that the Australian people had adopted her as their own. Now Marcia holds dual citizenship and quite fairly says that she has a love for both her homes, Boston because it was her birthplace and the place that shaped her and to Australia because when she returns to Sydney after a trip to Boston she says “I’m home”.

Marcia like her Mum is a very wise woman and won’t indulge in hypotheticals. When I ask her about what she would do if she were not a singer she would rather not consider an alternative although she does admit that it would have to be something artistic.

And art plays an important part in Marcia’s life. When she took a hiatus from singing some years ago she spent time making mosaics, not for exhibition because as a true artist the criticism, even if it was constructive, was not something she courted. Instead the mosaic making is therapeutic and the pieces are given to her friends. The appreciation by someone of a piece she has created is all that Marcia wants.

Marcia in turn is a very loyal person an example being that she has been represented by the same promoter her entire career!

Marcia also is involved in many causes, one dear to her heart is medical research which she supports through the Garvan Institute. Marcia is also involved with Diabetes Australia. Marcia has been diagnosed with type one diabetes, not a pleasant situation in any circumstances, but even more so for someone with a sweet tooth. Marcia and I chatted about how good it is that now being Diabetic doesn’t mean you have to give up sweet treats with a range of recipes and sugarless sweet options available.

Marcia’s musical talent also merges with one of her other causes, that of helping children with learning difficulties through the healing power of music.

With so many things going on in Marcia’s life it seems appropriate she is also an author penning a book on inspiring thoughts to get one by.

Marcia has gathered many inspirations along the way. People that inspire her are, firstly her Mum with whom she had the most incredible relationship. Marcia was very unteenage like, when she went along to her audition for ‘Hair’ with her supportive Mum.

Other people that inspire Marcia are Deepak Chopra, Wayen Pryer and the remarkable Elizabeth that works at a fistula hospital in Ethiopia.

Maybe the reason Marcia’s singing is so emotional is that she is compelled by storytelling. Listening to John Laws and Jack Thompson reading from Banjo Patterson she cites as one such event that showed her the magic of story telling.

With a lady that has interpreted so many beautiful songs something I wanted to do was find out what songs had special meaning for her. Most recently Marcia released an album covering Carol King’s ‘Tapestry’ and one of her favoutire songs is ‘So far away’.

She is also partial to the Nat King Cole’s ‘When I fall in love’. Nat King Cole was her Mum’s favourite singer and when he passed away she witnessed her Mum’s tears which left a deep impression on her.

Of her 7 years on ‘Australian Idol’ Marcia is again very fair. She is proud of all the talent that came through the show and the many contestants that have forged ahead in their musical careers. To those that would denigrate the formula. She mentions that the US version has seen many of the most popular pop stars such as Lady Gaga desire to guest on the show so it is held in high regard in spite of its detractors.

Marcia’s upcoming concert in Launceston will be a mix of old and new music. Marcia will perform at the Launceston Country Club on 29th July.

An evening which is sure to be a great treat with a very talented lady.
Paula Xiberras