Hooray Miss Marae is a ukulele hugging singer, songsmith, international performer and teaching artist. Her early childhood songs are playful, catchy and delightful for kids and their grownups to enjoy together. Her children’s music is available on all music streaming platforms.
Alison has co-written and performed in 5 original children’s musical productions; Flap! Flutter! Fly!, Rhythm Red Riding Hood, The Fairy and the Dragon, Boogie Nad Boo!, and The Jingle Jangle Journey. Created with husband, songwriter/guitarist/producer, Wil Forbis. The original family productions are interactive, multi-disciplined arts shows featuring original music, puppetry, theatre, storytelling, dance and visual art. The duo has performed their music around the world in Paris, London, NYC, Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, San Diego and little towns in between.
Alison is also a jazz vocalist and songwriter with a soft spot for reimagining vocal jazz classics. Her EP of original songs and jazz standards, My Heart Can’t Take It, received a San Diego Music Award nomination in 2014. In 2022, she released Comes Love, an acoustic cover of the 1939 jazz standard.
During her 20 year career as a dance artist, Alison has performed with her own dance company, contemporary dance companies and independent choreographers. Her choreographic staged works have been featured in festivals, galleries and studios in NYC, LA and San Diego.
As a teaching artist, she has been guiding students of all ages for two decades. Alison has taught and created her own program curriculum for children, teens and adults in studios, public school arts outreach as well as staff for professional studios throughout San Diego since 1999.
Libraries
Alison has been a library performer/educator since 2014 (formerly known as Little Catbird prior to 2019). She is fully insured, background checked and approved to perform and teach in the City of San Diego, San Diego County, Orange County, CA and Multnomah County in Portland Oregon.
LIST of LIBRARIES Alison has worked with (in no particular order) in the City of San Diego: North Park Library, Mission Hills Library, University Heights Library, Mission Valley Library, Malcom X Library, Skyline Library, Downtown Central Library, College-Rolando Library, Ocean Beach Library, Rancho Bernardo Library, Scripps Ranch Library, La Jolla Library, Pacific Beach Library, Paradise Hills Library, Serra Mesa Library, Mira Mesa Library, Balboa Library, Benjamin Library, University City Library. San Ysidro Library. San Diego County: Alpine Library, Bonita-Sunnyside Library, Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library, Crest Library, Del Mar Library, El Cajon Library, Encinitas Library, Fletcher Hills Library, Grossmont Healthcare Library, Imperial Beach Library, Lemon Grove, Rancho Santa Fe Library, La Mesa Library, Poway Library, San Marcos Library, Santee Library, Solana Beach Library, Ramona Library, Vista Library. Orange County CA: University Park Library/Irvine, Heritage Park Library/Irvine, Dana Point Library, San Clemente Library. Portland OR: Sellwood Library, Hillsdale Library, Central Library. Riverside County CA: Temecula Library. Marine Corps Community Services Library San Diego.
Highlighted Music Past Events:
- Dia de Los Ninos Festival at Imperial Beach Library 2024 and 2025.
- City and County of San Diego Summer Reading Tour 2023-2025.
- Hullabaloo’s Waterfront Summer Concert Series 2023.
- Children’s Discovery Museum Summer Serenade, 2023
- Discover Mission Bay Concert Series 2022.
- San Diego County Summer Reading Library Tour 2018/2019.
- Hullabaloo 20 Day Song Project (invited guest songwriter/singer) 2018.
- City of San Diego Summer Reading Library Tour 2014-2017
- San Diego Botanic Garden Summer Concerts, 2016-2018.
- Portland, Oregon Library Tour, August 2017.
- Hullabaloo Family Music Festival, San Diego 2016.
- Pacific Northwest Music Tour August 2016.
- San Diego Botanic Garden Fall Festival 2016.
- San Diego Ukulele Festival 2015 (performer and workshop instructor).
- European Music Tour (Paris, London) Oct 2015.
- Unplugged Music Festival, San Diego 2015-2016.
- San Diego Music Award Nomination (jazz album, My Heart Cant Take It) 2014.
- San Diego Music Thing Festival, San Diego 2014.
- Hawaiian Music Tour July 2014.
- Adams Ave Music Festival, San Diego 2014.
- Libertopia Festival at Humphries by the Bay, San Diego 2013.
What People Say
“Kids who visit us at the Garden just LOVE Miss Marae! Her interactive performances are both entertaining and educational, not just for children, but the entire family. She is professional, easy to work with, and a joy to have here at the Garden. We always look forward to having her and her friends here with us!”
Lisa R. S.D. Botanic Gardens
“Miss Marae performs a fantastic music show that is fun for toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers. Their upbeat energy and sense of fun means everyone in the audience has a great time. You can’t help singing along and moving to the music!”
Angie S. YSL San Diego Library
“Miss Marae is fantastic. My 12 year-old daughter has taken ukulele lessons from her for 3 years…written a multitude of original songs and loves to play and sing. Miss Marae is truly a fun, kind and gifted teacher. My daughter is extremely shy but with Alison she has built the self-confidence to take on the stage with storm.
Julie W, a happy momma
Hooray Miss Marae 