About
the founder
"The value of your performance is your AUTHENTICITY"
"No one else in this world can do what YOU do. You are purposefully unique and that is your power"
Mary Mendoza
MUSIC TEACHER
Some may consider Mary a chameleon; she is a fun, creative and encouraging teacher who sings, raps, writes songs/poetry, records/mixes vocals, dances, plays instruments, acts, performs as a Disney Princess, and is the author of an inspiring book about mental health and resiliency.
Born in the Philippines and raised in Toronto, Mary Mendoza (stage name: Madette) is a multi-faceted artist specialized in R&B/Soul/Pop, who has taken her performances to countless stages including Nathan Phillips Square, Ontario Place, TD Beaches Jazz Festival Main Stage, Roy Thomson Hall - Reception, Flato Markham Theatre, and the International Centre in front of thousands of people, as well as sharing the stage with Alicia Keys' drummer, Maxwell's keyboardist, the iconic Liberty Silver, Juno-award winner Carlos Morgan, Triumph's Rik Emmett, Taboo from Black Eyed Peas and most recently, opening for Jonathan Reynolds.
Her songs co-written with Toronto's most talented musicians have received radio airplay on Jewel Radio, Jazz FM, CBC Radio and NewsTalk 1010. She has been featured on Bell Fibe TV, Dolce Magazine, Pinoy Radio and Cogeco. In November 2021, Mary received a Special Award in a National Songwriting Competition to have her co-written original song placed in Grammy & Tony-Award winning producer Jhett Tolentino's motion picture "Asian Persuasion" that has won the Audience Award at the Soho International Film Festival 2023.
With a 3-Year Diploma in Media Arts at Sheridan College where Mary discovered her zeal for producing live concerts, and over 20 years of vocal/performance lessons with legendary vocalists and teachers such as: Elaine Overholt (The Ellen DeGeneres Show), Brandon Brophy (The Weeknd), Jasmine Denham (Michael Jackson), Lorraine Lawson (Alessia Cara), Falconer Abraham (Jully Black), Liberty Silver (Juno Award Winner), Cindy Tanas (Eric Morris), Leon Blackwood (Ariana Grande), Michael Challenger (Musical Chicago) and Tom Jackson (Taylor Swift).
Along with her passion for mental health, Mary provides a holistic approach to music lessons and caters to the students’ individual learning styles and goals. She has also taught lessons and led music camps at the The Granite Club School of Music and Elite Music Academy in Toronto.
As well as being an instrumentalist and a previous representative of the Songwriters Association of Canada, Mary also provides beginner piano/guitar/songwriting lessons and can incorporate guidance counselling to help students build their music careers.
No matter your age or level, you will learn secret tools to bring more depth to your singing/musicianship, authenticity to your stage presence, and impact to your divine purpose.
Aside from teaching music, Mary offers a Performance Coaching Program for aspiring artists who want to conquer performance anxiety. Click on Mary's Story to learn more about how music helped her build confidence and resilience after coping with anxiety and depression.
Mary understands obstacles from vocal limitations to stage fright having been there herself, and she has developed creative and effective techniques proven to helping her students become resiliently unstoppable!
SPEAKER & MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE
Mary is also a keynote speaker who shares about her mental health journey and inspires her audiences about the power of turning hardships into masterpieces.
She is certified in Mindfulness & Mindfulness Meditation (University of Toronto), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA Canada), completed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Centre of Mindfulness Studies), Nutrition & Mental Health (Institute of Holistic Nutrition) and is a supporter of Workman Arts (an arts & mental health organization empowering artists with mental illnesses).
