As the producer and host of Sounds Of Hope, Mary has made a career out of singing to create more than good music.  Since 2002 she has led a vast array of musicians and charities together to entertain, educate, and inspire audiences at weekly benefit concerts.

An after-school arts instructor and full time ambassador for peace, Mary is known throughout the DC area for her performances, activism and recordings.  One highlight is Celebrate!, a 2006 live album of a benefit concert where Mary led professional musicians and a handful of kids (ages 4-10). The concert and CD mark the 25th anniversary of Little Friends for Peace, a non-profit peace education program (where Mary has taught for over a decade).

Mary is available for performances, production, parties and instruction. Her venues include pre-schools to international conferences, festivals to fundraisers, birthday parties to weddings, street demonstrations to sacred spaces. Mary’s production experience includes music videos and over 300 benefit concerts. She has an MA in education and enjoys teaching song writing and guitar.

Mary’s first solo album, The Time is Now, is due for release this summer. Filled with originals about peace, love and understanding, these songs come straight from her heart. “Family” and “40” will have your feet tapping while your mind is captured by simple hooks. Anthems such as “Sacred in All” and “The Rain" will draw emotions you scarcely knew existed.  Mary’s true self explodes in rocking soulful melodies such as “Smile”, and her title track “The Time is Now” inspires us all to become a part of history. The CD will be available at www.MaryShapiroMusic.com and CDBaby. She'll tour the midwest in July (including her homelands of Minnesota and Wisconsin), and back to the east coast and southland for the fall.