Published on: Thursday, May 05, 2011

By Colette Whitney

A mother, songwriter, award-winning performer and teacher, Patrice Moerman has done it all. And as part of the regional Mamapalooza — an all-mom music festival held at Union Jack’s pub in Bethesda on Sunday — Moerman sends a loud-and-clear message to local mothers: You’re never too old to rock.

As her children grew up and started down their own paths, Moerman, now 57, purchased an electric guitar, and turned her passion to writing and performing music. She successfully recorded an album entitled, “Following a Dream,” which was produced by Grammy-award-winning producer and recording engineer Jim Robeson. On the album, Moerman performed on guitar, piano and vocals. Her website callers her music style a “true melting pot of musical expression” with rock, blues and alternative country influences. Nine of her songs have since won Billboard World Song Contest Honorable Mentions.

Once she finished her album, Moerman began going to open mic nights and performing regularly —  despite the fact that she had never before set foot on a stage to sing.

“I recorded a CD, then got out of the house to play live; as a middle-aged suburban woman I found it funny but was also very serious about it,” Moerman wrote in a blog posted on the Mamapalooza website.

Before long, she discovered the Mamapalooza festival, which features moms of many trades, including musicians, authors, dancers, educators, craftswomen and community leaders, among others. Founded in 2002 by award-winning singer Joy Rose, Mamapalooza has grown in size and numbers over the years, expanding nationally.

Moerman began working as a local coordinator for Mamapalooza in 2004, according to the event’s website, which describes Mamapalooza as the “coming together [of women] in a collaborative effort to highlight the challenges of motherhood in an ever-evolving” society.

Through this event, Moerman found her voice, as well as the other members of her band. Today, she continues to compose songs and perform with her bands “Hot Flash” and “Noisy Neighbors.” In addition, she teaches rock guitar and piano from her home and from Bach to Rock in Bethesda, Md.