“He wasn’t creating music for one race or religion or gender,” she said. She says record producer, songwriter and label founder Berry Gordy dreamed of unity in America through music. Holmes loves “Motown the Musical” because it tells the story of a black American dream.

“I was surrounded by adults, professionals with years of experience, but doing it made me want to do more. “It was my first full-time job and I was still taking classes,” Holmes said. Holmes’ young professional career has already had plenty of Motown moments - locally she played Diana Ross in “Dancing in the Streets” and Deena in “Dreamgirls.” But it was in spring 2015, while still a student at Berklee, Holmes’ breakout role came when she won the part of Dorothy in Fiddlehead Theatre Company’s production of “The Wiz” at the Strand Theatre. Then I was in a wedding band on the weekends during my Berklee college career, and all anyone wanted to hear was Motown.” He and my mom both had the music on in the house all the time. “My dad, who is a singer, was very influenced by Motown music. “It wasn’t until I was cast in this show that I realized how I have always been surrounded by Motown,” Holmes said, from the production’s stop in Toronto. Holmes didn’t realize it at the time, but the former Berklee College of Music student now sees that the iconic label’s songs have been with her on every leg of her musical journey. Quiana Holmes spent most of her life preparing for her role as Mary Wilson in “Motown the Musical” (Tuesday through June 17 at the Boston Opera House).

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