Singer, musician, producer, promoter and independent record label owner, Meredith DiMenna had a very musical career at GA, clearly a premonition of great things to come. While at GA, she sang with the Madrigals for three years, learned to sing in five languages and moonlighted as a back-up singer for In the Attic, a band of Brunswick School students that went on to sell 8500 albums as an independent act.

After graduating from Colby College in 1995, Meredith moved to New York City and began singing in an acoustic duo, playing the guitar and writing original songs. She eventually moved to San Francisco in search of new musical collaborators, and, by 1977, had released her first solo album entitled Academy. She returned to the East Coast in 2000 for a guest appearance with her mother, Lynn DiMenna, at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City. Soon after, she put together another band, The Saucers, and a hit act was born. They were selected as a top-ten finalist by the American Music Awards in the Coca Cola New Music Contest. This solidified Meredith's songwriting and business partnership with musician/producer Keith Saunders.The two formed Exotic Recordings to release their debut album Eternal Intermission. A video for the first single Late Bloomer received national airplay and resulted in a guitar endorsement from Epiphone Guitars. Meredith is featured in the 2005 Epiphone Guitars Women in Music Calendar, along with country sensation Gretchen Wilson and singer Joan Osborne.

Meredith's record label Exotic Recordings secured national distribution in 2005, and the company will release four albums this year. Meredith and Keith continue to perform in The Saucers and will participate in a benefit concert for The Clear View School on March 5 at the Canal Room (www.canalroom.com) in New York City. Please click on Maybe You're Waiting to listen to Meredith's music.

Q: What inspires your career in the performing arts?
A: "I love music, but I love business as well. Right now I am very lucky because I am able to make music, but I also can market and promote music. I strongly believe in the positive effect of powerful small businesses in creative industries. Being small enough to respond quickly to trends and maintain quality, but being powerful enough to have an effect is my main goal."

Q: How did GA prepare you for your career in the performing arts?
A: "I was very lucky to be a Madrigal while I was at GA. I learned to sing in eight-part harmony, sing in different languages and sing a capella. It was wonderful training that I call on often."

Q: Did you have any mentors at GA that inspired you?
A: "Deborah O'Brien. I was a Madrigal all through high school. The technique I learned from her has been invaluable. Her positive attitude and commitment to excellence is something for which I constantly aim."

Q: How did you train for your career after GA?
A: "I started playing the guitar during my senior year in college and began writing my own songs. I moved to NYC and began performing in an acoustic duo. Since then, I've been in many bands and projects, and I have picked up other instruments along the way. Most of my training has been on the job, so to speak."

Q: What is your advice for students and alumnae interested in pursuing music as a career?
A: "As soon as you know that it's what you want to do, start immersing yourself in it from every angle. All of your success is based on the people you know and the relationships you build with the people with whom you enjoy working."