I could practically sing before I could talk. Although I was terribly shy as a young child, that shyness did not extend to singing. I instinctively knew it was something special, and the ability to sing became a gateway to social success and happiness for as long as I can remember. I was regularly put down by everyone around me, except when I was singing. Then and only then, accolades were lavishly heaped upon me. My mom had a beautiful singing voice and I think I inherited that special gift from her (as our voices were quite similar). My brother on the other hand had a tin ear – couldn’t sing his way out of a paper bag much less into one. Be that as it may, when I had my first opportunity to perform in a community show at our local church in Lake Success, New York, I was a thrilled little girl. I was about four years old and strutted down the aisle singing and dancing to the iconic tune, “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” I wore a hot pink leotard with sequins, Queen Anne heels, and a big floppy hat,(originally olive green) that my mother had covered in hot pink material to match my leotard. The audience seemed pleased as punch at my performance and I was dizzy with happiness in that moment. Right then and there, I knew I wanted to be in show business.