Silent Storm

Born in Ontario, Canada, the happy and energetic middle child of seven children, Mary's first start in the performing arts was at an early age taking ballet lessons and performing at the Eaton's Auditorium in Toronto, Canada. Although unable to pursue her dancing career, Mary enjoyed school performances and later studied music where she later played a musical instrument in a concert band. Mary loved to sing and would accompany known artists on the radio or television by harmonizing or singing along with them. It was not until her introduction to a friend, an opera singer, who encouraged Mary to combine her talents of singing and writing that she found her forte. He instructed Mary in her singing and introduced her to a small annual production where she participated in dance, skits and chorus. Her last two years in the productions were marked with her astounding solos and skilful talent in writing musical compositions for four part harmonies. Although Mary has continued to study guitar and writing composition, she has assisted other artists, including teachers, with her vocal and writing abilities in the recording industry. For many years she has been a back up artist for various bands and participated in charitable events and organizations. Mary follows in the footsteps of family members with various artistic talents such as writers, painters and musicians, including her second cousin, Blake Fordham, also known as Kelly Jay, from the well know band, “Crowbar”. Of the many artists who inspired Mary in her singing and writing career, are names such as, Faith Hill, Celine Dion, Amanda Marshall and Linda Ronstadt stand out. Although Mary likes the new country style of music, her vocal and writing talents have developed to other areas such as soft rock and blues. Two first place trophies in singing competitions in Toronto, Canada attest to her gifted and natural ability to inspire her audiences with emotion. Mary’s dream is to one day write music for a major production and also simply for people to hear music and lyrics and connect with her emotionally on a musical level. Mary continued her dream of writing and singing with her husband Ray Bonin (RBA Records) and was soon to release a CD of her own original compositions. On Feb. 9, 2006, Mary slipped on some ice in the parking lot of the local hospital, on her way into work. She suffered a complex acetabular fracture of the left hip. Despite the many efforts of her husband, family and her family doctor, to get her the immediate treatment that she deserved; the system kept her waiting for surgery which caused her to develop a fluid overload in her lungs. The health care system that she so proudly served, failed her and she tragically passed away on Feb. 23, 2006. Mary sadly did not get to see the final product of all her efforts and dreams ... the release of her own CD of original compositions and being asked to write the music for a Broadway play.