Mariani-Roth, Claudia

San Pedro native, Croatian-American and Mary Star graduate left San Pedro 25 years ago—first for other parts of California, and eventually for far away Switzerland. She lives in Thun with her husband and two children.

Now she is hoping to bridge the distance between San Pedro and her adopted home in the Alpine foothills by connecting her Swiss friends—a group of 30 disabled and non-disabled singers pursuing their dream to see California—with her old schoolmates.

"No doubt I will always have each foot in a different land," she said. "But I've learned you can build bridges between those places, and sometimes cross over them with your friends—and your feet—close together again."

This inspirational group of Swiss music makers, with and without disabilities, face and conquer mountains every day. They bring a joyful mix of generations, cultures, physical abilities, musical styles and a repertoire ranging from folk & gospel styles to English pop songs & Swiss-dialect standards.

WAG, pronounced VAWG, is a residential and occupational community for the disabled in Gwatt, Switzerland. Because two WAGmusic! members are in fact home-grown Californians, the group has a special connection to the golden state as well as invitations to perform here. Honored and excited by the challenge, WAG members have decided to turn what would seem only a dream into a reality: a trip to the USA to share their magical mix of musical ability and joy!

10/08/2010 San Pedro, California
10/12/2010 Aragon School, San Mateo
10/14/2010 Detention Facility, Fresno County
10/15/2010 Break the Barriers, Fresno
10/16/2010 Break the Barriers, Fresno
10/17/2010 CCCC United Church of Christ, Fresno

The Tidings included this in the October 8, 2010 edition:
http://www.the-tidings.com/2010/100810/mariani.htm