Face to Face... with Marlene O'Neill

May 2005

Marlene O'Neill (www.marleneoneill.com) is one of Canada's most sought after, multi-award winning vocalists who is no stranger to the Canadian music audience given her 30-plus years of experience!  (Yes, she started at a very young age!)  She went into full-time music ministry 8 years ago and has not looked back!  She is a powerful vocalist, inspirational communicator and worship leader. 

Marlene has impacted audiences of television, stage, studio, and radio throughout Canada, the United States, and abroad to Zambia, Africa. Performances include everything from large theatrical stage productions and corporate events to concerts and various women's conferences.  

Marlene's connection with Women Alive began many years ago as a young girl singing with her mother at a small meeting in the Toronto area. Since then she has sung at a few local events where she became acquainted with the President, Margaret Gibb. Most recently, Marlene was the featured soloist at the Waterloo Conference, April 2005. [Editor's note: 'And she did a superb job!!']

Marlene's transparency with the audience lets them know she is simply a real-life woman with a real-life, yet professional approach to a Christian music presentation.

Marlene says, "I look forward to participating in many more Women Alive events, as the Lord would allow. I so enjoy spending time with women in this type of setting where they seem to feel un-inhibited to worship freely."

Personal                                            

Birthplace:  Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON                                        

Hometown:  Toronto, ON

Current hometown:  Mississauga, ON

Number of Siblings:  One awesome brother, Tim, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 29 after a two-year bout with cancer.

First Job:  hostessing at a restaurant

Where you met your husband: He came from Sault Ste. Marie, ON to go to college and work.  We worked together at Casey's Restaurant at Yorkdale Plaza (Toronto).  He was a chef and I was a front door hostess at the time.

Anniversary: August 1, 1987

Children: Kayla (14) and Tyler (10)

Best Kept Secret:  My favourite household appliance is a power drill that I requested for Christmas last year!

Preferences                                     

Good Book Read Recently:  'Traveling Light' by Max Lucado

Favourite current chorus:  oh, so many... 'Here I am to Worship', 'Awesome in This Place', 'All About You'...

Favourite hymn(s):  'Great is Thy Faithfulness'

Favourite Christmas Carol:   'Go Tell It on the Mountain'

Style of music most enjoyed: I like it all!  Currently in my CD player are Greg Sczebel, Michael W. Smith - Worship, Sting, Michael English, Jazz Hymns and Toby Mac! (OK, it belongs to my kids!)

TV show frequently watched: ER and The Contender

Pleasure                                             

Favourite season: Spring - Ever since I was a kid I have loved the feeling of wearing shoes outside for the first time after wearing boots for the whole winter!

Pastime pleasure: Watching both of our children play ice hockey

Favourite Restaurant:  Cracker Barrel (US) and fajitas at Texas Longhorn Cafe (Canada)

Favourite Movie:  Miss Congeniality

Most Memorable Vacation: Acapulco, Mexico with my husband and children

Sweet & Salty Cravings:  Skittles

Salt & Vinegar Chips - or anything with nuts in it!

Tea / Coffee Time:  A Tall, Skinny Chai Latte from Second Cup

Recipe to share: 'Chicken Ritz' - but I can't share the recipe

Picks                                                     

Travel Wish List: The Holy Land, The Caribbean

Pet Peeve: When the person who pulls up beside you at a red light in their car, turns up the volume of the radio full blast to hear their favourite song, and doesn't lower the volume when the local news comes on!  

Persuasion                                            

Best Advice Mom ever gave:  Turn your radio down after you've heard your favourite song so the person in the car beside you isn't annoyed by the very loud news cast!!

Favourite Bible verse: Proverbs 3:5-6  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

Influential Bible character:  The Lord Jesus Christ, because He treated everyone with respect, even when they didn't deserve it.  He also lived such a humble, obedient life knowing what His Father had in store for Him on the cross.

Most influenced by: Christ's sacrifice, my brother, un-named friends over the years         

A Special God-moment:  Just when I think I'm not making a difference with my music ministry, God always sends along an email, a letter or a person who shares how, through my singing, God has encouraged them, brought them through a trying time of life, or even kept them from suicide.