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.