Years in the industry: 10+ years

What is your current role?

I am the Female Lead Vocalist for the Moana Live-to-Film Concert.

What sparked your interest in the arts?

I grew up in a Samoan church that frequently used the arts to tell Bible stories. We would rehearse for months at a time for various performances that were presented to other Samoan churches. In the first half of the year, we prepared for a summer Samoan music and dance recital, and in the second half of the year, we focused on two major events: White Sunday and Christmas. In between all of this, we had choir rehearsal about four to five days a week. Doing this for the first 13 years of my life sparked my passion for the arts.

Also, the Disney princess movies were always full of beautiful songs to sing along to, and I’d always use the movies to practice singing. Your youngest self will always know what you want, listen to that inner child and feed her.

What advice would you give to young women entering the arts?

My advice to young women entering the arts is to find what you love to do and stick to it. It’s better to be stressed and tired over something you love than over something you barely tolerate. Learn as much as you can about your industry to protect you and your craft—knowledge is power. It’s a tough industry to be in as a woman which is why it’s so important to step into it with an open, inquisitive mind.

Also, work with other women because we just get each other.

What is one of your favorite behind-the-scenes moments or photos?

My favorite moments behind the scenes are when the band and I get together to do vocal warmups and pray together. It calms my anxiety and recenters what matters in the moment, which is the show full of eager kids!

Is there a costume or object that holds special meaning for you?

The band got me an oar and I think it’ll be the thing I take home with everyone’s signature at the end of the tour to commemorate it. For now, I’m trying to figure out a way to creatively use it during our show to be a little more interactive with the kids!

At 97-years-old, and after nine decades of performing, Marilyn Maye isn’t slowing down. When asked if she’s ever considered retiring, she says, “It’s not in my vocabulary.”

Early career

Starting in 1966, the celebrated vocalist appeared 76 times on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” the record for appearances by a singer. Johnny called her “Super-Singer” and would often turn to the camera after she performed and say, “And THAT, young singers, is how it’s done.”

Throughout the 1960s-1970s, she also performed multiple times on “The Merv Griffin Show,” “The Mike Douglas Show,” “Hollywood Palace,” “The Jim Nabors Show,” and made three appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

Recent and upcoming events

In 2023, Maye presented a two-hour solo concert in the Isaac Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall in front of a sold-out audience of more than 2,800 fans. Accompanied by the New York Pops Orchestra, she received 12 standing ovations during the concert, and eight rave reviews followed the success of the glorious night. During the event, New York City Mayor Adams issued a proclamation declaring March 24, 2023, “Marilyn Maye Day.”

In 2025, Marilyn will perform for the 13^th consecutive year at New York’s prestigious 54 Below nightclub. Her engagements there are always scheduled for 10 days in April and 10 days in October. Each December, she performs eight shows at the renowned Birdland jazz club in New York City.

As part of a celebration for her friend Johnny Carson’s 100^th birthday, she’ll also perform two nights at the Lied Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her solo performance on October 22 will be in the Carson Theater.

Maye keeps up a demanding performance schedule. “This is what I was put on this earth to do,” said Maye. “My mother played piano, and I started singing when I was probably 6-years-old and doing shows when I was 7, 8 and 9 in amateur contests. And then when I was 9, the gift that they gave you for winning was a radio show. So I was 9-years-old, doing my own radio show.”

Maye’s advice to artists

On what advice she’d give to young artists, Maye says, “If you’re talented and willing to work, it brings great joy, with many ups and a lot of downs. It takes great dedication—more than eight hours a day. Yes, it’s fun, but you have to love what you do—love your process and your audience.”

“I also believe strongly that you should respect the people who come to see and hear you. We should acknowledge and honor their presence. That’s our job! We should bring joy into the lives of the people who come to see and hear us. It’s not a contest. It’s our job, our mission to make them happy. It’s called entertainment!”

And yes, she still includes her signature high kicks in every show.

See Maye in action

You can see Marilyn Maye’s solo cabaret show in the Lied Center’s Carson Theater on October 22. She’ll also perform as part of Carson Tonight: Johnny’s 100^th Birthday on October 23 on the Lied Main Stage. Tickets and info for both events are available at liedcenter.org.

Forward for UNL women’s soccer team
Years playing: Since I was 5

What is your current position on the team?

I am a forward and sometimes a midfielder. For both positions, always in the attack, usually dribbling down the wing, crossing the ball, and shooting to score goals!

What sparked your interest in athletics?

My whole life I have always loved to be active and be outside. My favorite part of sports is competing, and the competition side of sports is what drew me to athletics.

What advice would you give to young women entering athletics?

As a young woman entering athletics, be confident and unapologetically yourself. Have confidence in who you are and be passionate about your game.

What is one of your favorite moments or career highlights?

We won the Big Ten regular season title two years ago. We played great all year and to win the Big Ten was exciting and contributed to us hosting the first three rounds of the NCAA tournament.

What is a uniform or object that holds special meaning for you? What does it represent?

I have a bracelet that says “see the good.” I wore it throughout my recovery of two back-to-back ACL injuries and it’s a good reminder of what I’ve been through and the mindset I try to keep both on the field and in my life.

Goalkeeper for UNL women’s soccer team
Years playing: 19

What is your current position on the team?

I play goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team at UNL.

What sparked your interest in athletics?

Growing up, I was always watching my siblings play sports and going to their club and high school competitions. My parents always said I copied them and would practice whatever sport they were doing. I know that is where I started as many sports as I could from a young age. Trying them all out and learning which ones I liked and which one I loved.

Who are the women in athletics that have influenced you the most?

I grew up watching the Olympics every year it was happening and absolutely loved Shawn Johnson. I am from Des Moines originally and got to meet her which made her an amazing role model and influence on me when I was younger. I looked up to her as a person and as an athlete.

What advice would you give to young women entering athletics?

You are amazing. Keep driving, keep working, and keep kicking butt. Don’t let anybody determine your ability or worth in or out of sport. Build that strong foundation and find your support system to be strong in yourself. GO GET YOUR DREAMS!

How have you seen the role of women in athletics evolve?

Being a collegiate athlete during the last few years has been a privilege and an amazing chair to the progression of media coverage, growing fan bases, resources for female collegiate athletes, professional athletes, and all the levels before that. The WNBA (basketball), NWSL (soccer), PWHL (hockey), WER (rugby) and so many more being able to grow and spread throughout the United States and have platforms has been so exciting and encouraging. Even the Paris Olympics reaching full gender parity was a massive step for women’s sports.

What is one of your favorite moments or career highlights?

I have loved being able to create such a community in a new state and a new university. Being able to join a team that prioritizes the community so much has helped me in my time at Nebraska. Going to different schools and reading to kids, talking to the kids about my life as a student athlete and what it takes to get there, or helping hand out candy at Boo at the Zoo. There have been so many opportunities through our athletic department to create that community and be a true part of the Lincoln community, and I have truly loved that.

Is there a uniform, award or object in sports that holds special meaning for you?

Receiving the Sam Foltz leadership award this last spring was one of the most amazing feelings and achievements in my career. It is an award based on leadership and involvement outside of sports in your community. Being able to impact my community in a positive way has been a huge part of who I am throughout my whole life. Being able to use my platform as a Nebraska athlete and be someone this Lincoln community can look up to has been a huge honor.

What is your current role?

I’m playing Tina Turner in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical.

What sparked your interest in the arts?

My mother trained me from a young age.

Who are the women in the arts that have influenced you the most?

Tina Turner, Beyoncé, Audra McDonald, Natalie Portman, Hayley Williams, Whitney Houston, Renee Fleming, and Misha Greene.

What advice would you give to young women entering the arts?

Get educated in the business side of the industry. Consider either double majoring or taking performance classes privately while majoring in something like entertainment, law, or arts administration. Treat yourself like your own small business: know your rights and know your worth.

Is there a costume or object that holds special meaning for you?

We have not quite gotten into props and costumes yet, but I am most excited to wear the dress in “Disco Inferno.”

What is your current role?

I’m playing Elsa!

Years in the industry?

I’ve been doing this since I was five, but pursuing it professionally for five years.

What sparked your interest in the arts?

I started singing when I was five years old. No one in my family is in the arts so it was kind of a fluke accident. My parents enrolled me in kiddy soccer and they found it suspicious that instead of playing the game, I was holding hands with the opposing team singing Disney songs, so they thought maybe piano would be a better route. About half way through my first piano lesson, I asked if I could sing instead. I was VERY stubborn and incredibly passionate. The rest is history!

Who are the women in the arts that have influenced you the most?

For me, my education was really important. Coming from a family who was just as clueless as I was about theatre and were (probably) hoping this was a phase, I had to seek elsewhere to find guidance if I wanted to learn. All of my singing mentors to this day have been women and they have  sparked the joy and discipline that I carry with me in my work today.

Prior to college, almost all of my educators (singing, dancing, and acting) have been woman as well. They were able to see things in me I couldn’t see in myself and provided me with the skill set and the courage it took to take my career to a collegiate level. This is a hard question really, because along with the legendary performers who I look up to, the real influence comes from the women I immediately work with and learn from day to day. This is a really tough industry to make it in, particularly for girls, so anyone working with me or around me has something incredibly powerful to bring to the table that I can learn from.

What is one of your favorite behind-the-scenes moments or photos?

This process has been so much fun! Elsa is, excuse the pun, in a kingdom of isolation most of the show and never really interacts with the  cast. Because of this, I want to make up for it by finding time backstage with the people I never see onstage. During “do you wanna build a snowman” there  is a great little musical beat that happens, and backstage, we have choreographed a really silly dance to it. Every night before we go onstage, a little group of us circle up and groove it out.

Is there a costume or object that holds special meaning for you?

I have two costume pieces that I find to be really special in this show. First and probably most obvious is Elsa’s iconic blue dress. Without any spoilers, there is some amazing theatre magic that happens with that dress that is really breathtaking from the audience. People, both kids and adults, sit wondering how on earth Elsa does that.

The second costume piece I find special is the two piece outfit I wear towards the end of the show. More than it looking really cool, I think it is so amazing that for a second you see a really strong, powerful and fierce Disney queen NOT in a dress. To me, there is so much incredible symbolism in that and I am so stoked this production is leaning into Elsa’s power by putting her in an outfit that she realistically could actually save a kingdom in!

Huskers Spirit Squad Head Coach
Years in the industry: 19

What is your current position or role?

I’m the spirit squad head coach.

What sparked your interest in athletics?

I come from an athletic family. My dad played D1 basketball in college and I had uncles and cousins play football and baseball professionally. Early exposure and participation in sports allowed me the opportunity to be physically active, learn how to be a good teammate and understand what it means to be accountable to a greater goal.

What advice would you give to young women entering athletics?

Participating in sports has far reaching benefits beyond trophies. Of course, we pursue competitive excellence, but the real value is in the practice gym. Work hard, discover new levels to your mental fortitude, physical strength, skill and believe in yourself.

What is one of your favorite moments or career highlights?

My college dance team took second place in division 1A during my junior year. We weren’t favored to make top 10 going into the competition, and we had to work through a lot of adversity together. Reflecting on the journey, our silver finish has always felt like gold.

Is there a uniform or object that holds special meaning for you?

No tangible object but I cherish the photos I have from that time. One of my teammates has since passed away and I like to honor her memory by looking back at our time spent bonding in practice and remembering what we accomplished competitively.

Huskers Radio Network Host and Producer
Years in the industry: 17

What is your current position or role?

Huskers Radio network producer, reporter and host. Host of Sports Nightly, sideline reporter for Husker football broadcasts and host/producer of the Huskers Radio Network Podcast, Huskers social/digital media talent.

What sparked your interest in athletics?

My dad was a basketball coach, so I grew up in a gym. I fell in love with the game and played all throughout high school. I also grew up watching football and basketball with my dad and brother. Sports were always a part of my family and so much of what we did together growing up.

Who are the women in athletics that have influenced you the most?

Stacey Dales. She played basketball at Oklahoma and then began a very successful sports broadcasting career and is now on the NFL Network.

Pat Summit. I was a huge fan of hers and Tennessee as a young girl and just admired the way she so was so fiercely her and stood up for other women in sports, using her platform to grow the game for young women.

Since I’ve been at Nebraska I immediately think of women like Rhonda Revelle, who truly is a pioneer, from athlete to coach and leader and one of the kindest, caring human beings. She sets the example of how you can be both fiercely competitive and genuinely kind and gracious. She’s the best cheerleader one can ever ask for, same goes for Amy Williams. I admire their friendship and how these two strong women support each other so loyally.

What advice would you give to young women entering athletics?

Believe in yourself and have confidence in your individual talents. Don’t do the comparison game, just don’t do it. There’s only one uniquely you, and nobody else can do what you were specifically created to do, embrace that.

How has the role of women in athletics evolved?

So, so much. First is just the interest and viewership numbers. People are tuning in and watching and caring more than they ever have. In my kind of role specifically, you see women all over doing so many different roles throughout sports media, and when I first had a peaked interest in getting into this field, it was primarily just as television sideline reporters. Now, I not only feel valued for my presence on air, but also for my thoughts and ideas to help grow and develop our overall product.

What is one of your favorite moments or career highlights?

Serving as the sideline reporter for the TNT team stream at the NCAA Final Four Men’s basketball tournament. Being the first woman to ever call play-by-play for an Oklahoma men’s basketball game. And telling the countless feature stories of student athletes, having them open up and share some of the highest of highs and lowest of lows, and learning what those stories mean to those athletes and their families.

Huskers Athletic Partners: Partnership Service
Years in industry: Three

I serve as the bridge between businesses and the Nebraska Athletic Department, helping connect brands to Husker athletics and our passionate fanbase. Through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and creative campaigns, I work to ensure each collaboration is impactful—both for the businesses involved and for the overall fan experience.

What sparked your interest in athletics?

Growing up around sports and later cheering at the University of Nebraska, I quickly realized how powerful the sports world is—not just in competition, but in building community, tradition and pride. I was drawn to the energy and passion that surround collegiate athletics, and I love getting to contribute to that in a behind-the-scenes but meaningful way.

What advice would you give to young women entering athletics?

Believe in the value you bring. Sports is an industry that moves fast and demands flexibility, creativity and determination—qualities women often naturally bring to the table. Don’t shy away from asking questions or sharing your ideas. Build real connections, be dependable and know that your career path might not always be a straight line—and that’s okay. Some of the best opportunities come from just being present, prepared and willing to grow.

What is one of your favorite moments or career highlights?

One of my favorite career highlights actually came from my time as a cheerleader. I was on the court during Volleyball Day in Nebraska, holding up the “3” when the world record was announced. That moment gave me chills, and the photo captured from it will live on forever. Being part of history, especially in a way that celebrated women’s sports, is something I’ll never forget.

Is there a uniform or object that holds special meaning for you?

My traditional Nebraska cheer sweater holds a lot of meaning for me. It’s something we have framed when we graduate, and mine now sits on my desk as a daily reminder of the pride, hard work and memories that came with being part of Husker spirit. It represents a chapter of my life that shaped who I am and the passion I carry into my work today.