By Riley Fontana
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Mary McAvoy is a Walpole resident, currently competing on “The Voice”. She has been a musician her whole life, inspired by her family. She is training and competing on Team Snoop, getting to work with famous rapper Snoop Dogg.
Her musical journey started when she was 25, finding her passion for songwriting. “I’m 35 and I’ve been making music for a little over 10 years now,” she said. “I’ve been singing my whole life but really started to pursue music seriously after I graduated college. I had a bunch of different day jobs to support myself, but always did music on the side.” She’s been working nonstop on her music to further her career.
“I’ve been pursuing it for a while and then ‘The Voice’ reached out to me in February, one of the casting directors found me on Instagram and sent me a message asking if I’d want to potentially be on the show,” she said, on how she got to audition in front of the judges. “So I did a couple of Zoom interviews with them and then got on the show.”
Since her audition, McAvoy has been working on Team Snoop, being coached by Snoop Dogg. “It was pretty surreal to work with him. When he turned his chair, I was just so relieved and excited,” she said about her coach. “He’s just such a genuine person. He’s been in the business for a really long time and he’s kind of a living legend. He is just very down to earth, personable and cared about us a lot.”
Her music career started in Walpole, where she grew up. “I always did chorus and concert choirs. In high school I did jazz choir and the all-female chorus,” she said about her music experiences growing up. “Music has always been a huge part of my life. In the public schools, I had some great teachers who really fostered a love for music and continued that for me. I always loved music as a kid so being able to do that in school was amazing.”
“Anyone that’s ever told me not to quit,” she said, about the most influential advice she has been given. “When I was in my twenties I took voice lessons in Boston, and my voice instructors there helped me see for the first time ‘Oh maybe I can make a career of this’. Anyone along my journey that’s encouraged me to keep going.”
People along her journey have helped to shape her into the performer she is today. “My family’s been huge supporters, since day one they have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and come to my shows,” she said on her support system. “My network of friends, I’ve got a lot of music friends in New England that have been really supportive. Anyone that’s helped me book shows, there’s a lot of people that have helped me get here.”
She wants the local audience to know it is packed with talent, that is untapped compared to larger cities. “I’d encourage people to pursue what they are interested in, whether it’s music or art. There’s always going to be ways to make that happen,” she said. “Go out to local shows, there is a community in small areas, it’s so important to support local arts.”
While McAvoy continues her run on “The Voice,” she can be found playing smaller local shows around New England. Her music, story and upcoming shows can be found on her website marymcvavoymusic.com, and her social media.
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