Meet Marissa Conniff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Conniff. 

Hi Marissa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am the type of person who does not fit into one kind of box. I am a business owner, an artist, a mother, and so much more. 

Since I was a kid, I have wanted to be financially independent, maintain my passion for singing, and eventually have a family. I am so happy to share that I have accomplished all of these things, and I am living my dream thanks to a lot of hard work and allowing myself to be who I am. 

In high school, I was definitely “a theatre kid,” but I was also acing all my math classes, which I genuinely enjoyed. I started marketing the high school’s plays on Myspace, which was the beginning of my professional career. 

I started as an accounting major and Theatre minor in college at Eastern Michigan University. I eventually found myself in the Arts & Entertainment Administration department and changed my major. 

I worked with MASS MoCA, Performance Network Theatre, and Destination Ann Arbor as a marketing professional at the beginning of my career. With these creative jobs, I could be involved in local arts organizations and perform at local venues. 

Then I went to work for a large tech company which paid a lot of money but stifled my individuality. I did not have time for my newborn son, let alone a singing career. I left that job in February 2020 to start my freelance marketing business…right as COVID was beginning. 

My marketing business is called Upward Anthems, which I established in March 2020. The first year was incredibly slow as marketing budgets were being slashed in the struggling economy. Things began to pick up in 2021, and by 2022 I was making as much money as I had been at my stressful 70-hour-a-week job. 

This was when I decided it was time to re-focus on my life as an artist. I had not performed or written any music in years. Of course, I still sang every day! It’s my passion! But I was no longer sharing what I loved with my community and the world. 

I took some audio engineering classes at Washtenaw Community College to understand how to manage my recording and sound equipment. I have also been taking voice lessons with VanAlstine Voice for the last two years, and I feel more confident in my singing than I ever have! 

In August 2022, I saw the call for submissions for the Motown Museum’s Amplify the Sound of Detroit singing competition. I used my new recording skills and equipment to film two videos of myself singing and was notified I qualified for the top ten! (Here are my audition videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7NWimv3OWc, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG4L0S8mm9E) 

This program offers me a once-in-a-lifetime artist development program to prepare my competitors and me for the big show on March 15, 2023. To say I am honored and thrilled to be a part of this experience is a vast understatement! We all got to hear each other sing at our orientation; everyone is incredibly talented. 

As my music career is blossoming, I am still finding ways to balance it with my professional marketing career, life as a mother, and a multifaceted human being. I think the more we get to know ourselves and each other – we see many of us are beautiful unique contradictions. I recommend owning this as much as you possibly can. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
By the time you turn thirty-three, you have faced one type of struggle or another. 

I think the ultimate struggle was believing in myself. I did not think I was worthy of my dreams. Once I started believing in myself, everything fell into place. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Regarding my marketing career, I specialize in social media and marketing strategy. My business Upward Anthems will be three years old in March 2023, and I have worked as a professional marketer for twelve years! I can see the big picture and the little details. I enjoy working with small businesses and non-profits. You can learn more about my business at upwardanthems.com. 

As a singer, I am a rock artist at heart. I draw inspiration from Freddie Mercury, Brandi Carlile, and Paramore. I minored in Theatre at Eastern Michigan University and have performed throughout Southeast Michigan as a solo artist. You can learn more about my music on marissaconniff.com. 

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Many people will tell you to “never burn a bridge,” but I have found some bridges are worth burning. If you encounter a person who is toxic, discriminatory, or disrespectful – get away from them! Your time is better spent with the people who appreciate and understand your goals in life. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.upwardanthems.com/ and https://www.marissaconniff.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upwardanthems/ and https://www.instagram.com/marissadoesmusic/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-conniff/ 

Image Credits
Hitsville Next