First Nations mezzo-soprano Marion Newman "has a distinctive, dusky voice that suggests drama with every note" (Toronto Star) and has been noted as "a show stealer" (BBC Music Magazine). In her debut with Cork's Opera 2005 in the title role of Carmen, she was widely praised for her "superbly sinuous sexuality" and "as a very exciting new talent" by the Irish Examiner. She returned to Cork to appear as Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and has appeared as Tisbé in Cenerentola, Margret in Wozzeck and Juno in The Tempest with Pacific Opera Victoria, Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte with Vancouver Opera, Cherubino and Cinderella for Opera Lyra Ottawa and Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana and Hansel for Opera Hamilton.

Highlights of Marion's recent seasons include the roles of Flora in Verdi's La Traviata and Cherubino in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro in Sulmona, Italy as part of the C.O.S.I. programme. the lead role of Noodin-Kwe in the world premiere run of Giiwedin, a first Nations opera by Spy Dénommé-Welch and Catherine Magowan, and Thunderbird, an Aradia Ensemble concert in which traditional Kwagiulth dance and song meet the Baroque era. International appearances include performances in the Czech Republic and Germany as Don Ramiro in Mozart's Die Gärtnerin Aus Liebe and Ericlea in Il Ritorno di Ulisse. Marion also sang the roles of Zita and La Zia Principessa in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica in Italy. As part of the Banff Centre new music programme, she toured France with Richard Dubelski's What's Goin' On.

On the concert stage, Marion has performed with the Victoria Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, National Ballet of Canada, Portland Baroque Orchestra, CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble, San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra, Kingston Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, Elora Festival Singers, Talisker Players, Aradia Ensemble, Toronto Philharmonia, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, St Lawrence Choir and Fanshawe Chorus London. Her extensive repertoire includes Handel's Messiah, De Falla's El Amor Brujo, Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, Mozart's Coronation Mass and Davidde Penitente, Copland's In The Beginning, Bach's St. John Passion, Magnificat, and Cantata no. 4.

Marion has also demonstrated her "luscious mezzo soprano voice and captivating vivacity" on television, having been featured four times as a soloist on CBC's National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, and opening the 2002 Royal Golden Jubilee Gala at Roy Thomson Hall, where she performed the National Anthem with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Marion's discography includes five discs with the Aradia Ensemble for Naxos: Polly by Samuel Arnold, Sacred Music by Vivaldi, and Griselda, also by Vivaldi, Handel's Rinaldo and Charpentier's Messe de Minuit pour Noel and Te Deum. As well, she recorded Sea Change, featured in the contemporary work Brush Strokes by Linda C. Smith, with Continuum Contemporary Music and Handel's Dixit Dominus and Bach's Cantata no. 4 with the CapriCCio Ensemble for Virga Recordings.

Marion made her orchestral debut at the age of sixteen with the Victoria Symphony, not as a singer, but as a pianist, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto K. 488 in A Major. She holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the University of Victoria and a Master of Music with Distinction in vocal performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is the recipient of a Career Development Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.