American Actress/Singer, Helen Hayes Award nominee, and recording artist Mary Millben has been one of Oklahoma’s best kept secrets – until now. For Mary, singing in church started it all. Referred to as a "Songbird,’ at a young age, Mary quickly overcame stage fright when repeatedly called on to sing in church by her mother – now a retired Pentecostal, music pastor and former classical soprano. Thanks to her mother, who raised Mary and her siblings as a divorced single parent, it was just a matter of time before this preacher's kid would go from the plains of the Midwest to the stages of the world. Through high school and college, Mary proudly represented the state of Oklahoma in public arenas as a young leader - thrust in front of U.S. Presidents, world figures and corporate America as a voice for those underrepresented. Mary was the presidential runner-up at the American Legion Auxiliary 1999 Girls Nation, gubernatorial runner-up at Oklahoma Girls State, and the Oklahoma delegate at the 1998 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) World Congress in Washington, D.C. In college, Mary was elected the second African- American female Student Body President and the first African-American female Vice- President at the University of Oklahoma (OU) – governing 30,000 students. While serving in student leadership, Mary was a featured singer for University dinners and private events hosted by former Oklahoma U.S. Senator, Governor and former President of OU, David L. Boren. As a professional student, Mary served the state of Oklahoma at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Crowe & Dunlevy Law Firm, and later Press Secretary & Director of Communications for the Oklahoma Republican Party under former Chairman Gary Jones. Making her way to Washington, D.C., Mary served as a White House intern and White House Presidential Appointee to George W. Bush, wearing diverse hats as a junior staffer. But most of all, it was Washington, D.C. that gave Mary her start at a professional career in music. Thanks to the generosity of President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, while serving The White House, Mary regularly performed for White House Christmas parties and tours, private political functions and even debuted with the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Kennedy Center) with the late Marvin Hamlisch, who later served as a mentor to Mary. Today, Mary has become one of the most sought after voices across the world. In just a few years, Mary has performed for a number of U.S. Presidents, international royalty and great leaders across the world including President Donald Trump, President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Her Royal Highness Princess Basmah Bint Saud Bin Abdulaziz, Oprah Winfrey, His Royal Highness Prince Dimitrije "Dimitri" Karadordevic of Yugoslavia, Duke Carlos DeAlba (Royal Family of Spain), Her Excellency Mathilde Mukantabana, His Excellency Paolo Zampolli, Canadian billionaire & business magnate Jim Pattison, and many more. In addition, Mary has been a featured soloist at notable arenas including The White House, the United States Congress, the Kennedy Center, Major League Baseball, Off-Broadway, XLIII Superbowl Halftime Show w/Bruce Springsteen, the famed Copacabana, and more. American Singer and Helen Hayes nominee Mary Millben has had the great pleasure to perform for the 43rd U.S. President, 44th U.S. President, and now for the 58th Presidential Inauguration Victory Celebration of the 45th President of the United States of America - Donald J. Trump. Video caption of Mary performing at the 58th Presidential Inauguration Victory Celebration hosted by the Republican National Committee and Presidential Inaugural Committee at the National Building Museum on Wednesday, January 18th, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Approximately 3000 in attendance. Pictured: Former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, Broadway pianist Ken Lundie, and Sara Armstrong – CEO of the58th Presidential Inaugural Committee. Click on image below for live performance! On February 5th, 2019, Mary made her National Basketball Association (NBA) debut returning to her home state of Oklahoma to perform the National Anthem for the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Orlando Magic NBA game. Click on image below for live performance! Credit: NBA TV Broadcast "One of my greatest loves is performing America's patriotic music. The Star-Spangled Banner, our country's National Anthem, is a song that binds us together in the blessing of freedom and American citizenry. Performing the National Anthem during Black History Month takes on an even greater value as I consider those who paved the way for me to stand on stages and sing. I have had the great pleasure to perform for three consecutive U.S. Presidents: President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, and President Donald Trump. I was honored to perform the National Anthem for the 58th Presidential Inauguration Victory Celebration for President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. I travel the country weekly, performing the National Anthem for events that support America’s troops, veterans, military spouses, their families, those who protect our country, and gatherings that celebrate our love of country. How grateful I am to now have performed the National Anthem in front of my beloved Oklahomans, cheering on the OKC Thunder, and celebrating our love for America. Sports is a powerful arena that unifies. Music is an even greater force that unites us. Marrying sports and music creates an opportunity to elevate our common bond as humanity. Furthermore, performing the National Anthem at any public venue is a sacred moment to pause, reflect, and show our gratitude to the men and women who daily sacrifice for our freedom and to commemorate those who have died defending it. I pray each time I am invited to enter this sacred moment and perform the National Anthem, souls are lifted beyond the earthly constraints of difference and connected by the divine truths that we hold so dear as Americans. I thank the Oklahoma City Thunder organization, John Leach (Director of Events and Entertainment for the OKC Thunder), Morgan Wallace (Game Presentation & Entertainment Coordinator), and the NBA for the opportunity to salute our great country through music.” Pictured (left to right): Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, British Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch, Mary, and David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City, following Mary's performance. Aired Live: NBA TV, FOX Sports Oklahoma (FSOK) and FOX Sports Florida (FSFL). Photo Credit: OKC Thunder/Orlando Beeker Based in New York and Washington, D.C., Mary has been in Los Angeles since Fall of 2015 recording original music with a number of award-songwriters including Steve Dorff – 2018 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, three-time Grammy and six-time Emmy nominee, Michael Levine - Governor of the Emmys Television Music Academy, and more. Steve Dorff, Producer - Greg Phillinganes, Piano/Organ/Keys, - George Doering, Guitar - Neil Stubenhaus, Bass – John Robinson, Drums - John Guess, Recording and Mix Engineer - Michael Woodrum, Recording Engineer and studio – Album Choir: Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, Carmen Carter, Bobbi Page, Clydene Jackson, Dorian Holley, Alvin Chea, and Kevin Dorsey. Mary migrated to Los Angeles with one desire in mind: to discover her voice in original music. Teaming up with Steve Dorff, Mary did just that. Among other original songs, Mary's new single "Grace Will Lead Me Home" was birthed in collaboration with Steve. “Grace Will Lead Me Home” is the closing song in the new film “The Meanest Man in Texas,” directed by Justin Ward, and produced by award-winning producers Brad Wilson and Casey Bond. Premiering in film festivals all over the United States, the film has garnered over 40 awards and nominations. "Grace Will Lead Me Home" was nominated for 'Best Song' in the 2017 Nashville Film Festival. Recently, "Grace Will Lead Me Home" and the film received the award for 'Best Picture' from Influx Magazine - the 5th 'Best Picture' award for "The Meanest Man in Texas. On April 9th, 2017, Mary made her national television debut performing her new single "Grace Will Lead Me Home" on BET's inspirational show 'A Joyful Noise.' “Grace Will Lead Me Home” is available now on ITunes, Spotify, Google Play, YouTube Music, and all leading digital platforms across the world. “The Meanest Man in Texas” and “Grace Will Lead Me Home” premieres in 2019! 2017 Worldwide Release of Mary’s First Single – “Grace Will Lead MeHome” - Available on ITunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, and all leading digital platform. Click on image below for live performance! 2017 National Television Debut – ‘Spotlight Artist’ – A Joyful Noise – BET Network http://m.newsok.com/video-oklahoma-native-and-gospel-singer- mary-millben-makes-national-tv-debut-releases-debut- single/article/5546484. Mary debuting new single 'Grace Will Lead Me Home' in Vancouver, British Columbia. One of Canada's leading churches, Coastal Church is one church with four locations spanning across Vancouver with the main campus situated in beautiful downtown Vancouver. Mary is grateful to call Coastal Church Pastors Dave and Cheryl Koop dear friends and Coastal Church her new family. Dress by Ted Baker. On Thursday, July 13th, 2017, Mary joined Steve Dorff in concert at the Iridium in New York. In her guest appearance, Mary debuted her second, original single recorded with Steve, "Faith in Love." “Faith in Love” is available on all leading digital platforms worldwide! “Mary has a wonderful and unique understanding of the material she is singing," Steve shares. "An amazing range and beautiful voice that gives a producer lots of options as to how to approach a performance.” Click on image below for live performance! On October 29th, 2018, Mary was the featured entertainment for the 25th Anniversary of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum tribute dinner in New York honoring Museum Chairman and friend Howard M.