Person Biography:
Mara Beltrami-New, also known as Mara Beltrami, is a multifaceted individual with a rich history and a plethora of accomplishments. Born in Milan, Italy, she hails from the Beltrami House of Fashion, which has been active in Italy since the early 1900s. The Beltrami family began as tailors and shoemakers before evolving into clothing designers and manufacturers in the early 1920s.
Mara's passion for clothes led her to start the Golden Needle Awards in 2004 to recognize and award emerging designers. She later moved to France, then to Australia, where she graduated in Architecture and studied Acting at the Karnak Playhouse in Mossman, Queensland, Australia, with Diane Cilento and Roger Hazel.
In Australia, Mara appeared in numerous live shows and television productions. She then moved to Canada, where she joined a dance group and began working in radio, eventually landing a position with MTV (Multicultural Television) in Toronto. During her stay in Canada, she became friends with Marco Valenti, who later became her brother-in-law, and worked as the road manager for the Liberace Show.
Mara is an active member of several charities, believing that "Giving is Receiving." She has received numerous awards, including being named "One of the Most Influential Women in LA" in 2004, alongside notable figures such as Doris Roberts and Rhonda Fleming.
In June 2006, Mara received the Y.E.S. Award (Young Educated Singers) alongside Dionne Warwick and Chief Bernard Parks at the LA Blues Festival. She also received the "Angel Award" from Reef Check, honoring Jean Michel Custeau, along with Cheryl Holdridge-Post and Suzan Hughes.
On December 1, 2006, Mara received the Golden Star Halo Award for her performance in the play "The Problem" at the 70th Anniversary of the Southern California Motion Picture Council. Other recipients included notable figures such as Jayne Meadows and Stella Stevens.
Mara is also an accomplished painter, having won several European competitions. She has had the privilege of meeting Pablo Picasso and is a good friend of her mentor, Huala Dio. Mara and her husband are involved in producing CDs for jazz and blues artist Barbara Morrison and have promoted the LA Blues Festival with great success.
Mara is currently busy with her internet TV show "Boutique Discovery" and acting roles in several major movie productions. She is also a board member of FAB (Film Advisory Board) and an advisory board member of the American Musical Academy.
