Meet Mary Paige Snell

We recently connected with Mary Paige Snell and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Paige, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

I believe my optimism may be genetic. My mother was a fierce conductor. Being as there were very few, if any, female conductors in her time- she basically created local community events to conduct. As well, she conducted alone, all the time in the house, studying recordings and scores. The strange thing was, from my perspective, I thought she had not fulfilled herself. When she was dying, and I heard how seriously she took herself, and how brilliant she believed she was. (She was brilliant) I had to completely change my perspective of how her life had unfolded. As well, to the end, she would stare out her window with wonder and amazement. I had a mother who didn’t need much, who took herself very seriously, and who treasured herself and her abilities, whether anyone else did, or not. This seems to me to be optimism.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a writer. I have a novel I am trying to get out into the world. It is called “Theda.” It is a homage to unhinged women. It is full of terror and tenderness. It is mad and precise. I act when I can. I have most recently been working on film and tv productions with Whole Picture Films in Brooklyn. For steady income I work in one of the most cut throat businesses in the world. It is kind of fascinating. I love New York City and my 21 year old son deeply. My brother just sent me a still from a Stephen King movie and said “I had to do a double take. This could have been you!” He is right. Even I am shocked at how much I look like whoever was in that movie. Julien Beck was great in Poltergiest II. I am from the lineage of Julien Beck. I enjoy being my age. I relish how I feel. I have memorized the Shim Sham Dance, the Coles Stroll and have almost gotten the BS Chorus down. I have no idea why I have picked up tap dancing after a 40 year haitus but these days, I just follow my obsessions. I am from New England and my father, who was a mathematician, turned a barn into an Opera House.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The last thing I have is any advice. There are the usual things, like discipline. Mark off hours to do things you want to do or be every day whether you get any support, or not. If someone you love is dying, go see them. It is more important than anything else. On a more mundane note, there are always ways to make money if you need to. No matter what your age, not matter what your circumstance. Live minimally. Exercise. Those endorphins are real. Please don’t worry about your god damn looks.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents believed and supported me, without needing to see any evidence of accomplishment. I hear this is rare. In fact, I had a psychic look at me and say “I never see this. You had two amazing parents.” She then told me the bird at the window was there for me. And then she died from a disease she didn’t know she had. I do think my mother came back as a cat when my son was in crisis. The most impactful thing both my parents did for me, was stay completely involved in their own fascinating interests. They remain exceptionally vivid to me, even as they have both passed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @marypaigesnell
• Website: https://marypaigesnell.com/

Image Credits

Portraits: Bill Bernstein
Novel Cover Performance: Joel Giguere