I started singing with Maya around the age of 8 or 9 years old. I initially came to her because conventional voice lessons and choir practices had left me frustrated, uninspired and insecure about my vocal performance.
My mother knew I needed something that would bring back my confidence and love of singing in front of people, so she removed me from the stress ridden and ridicule laden environment of competitions and exams and sent me to Maya, who emphasized a playful and lighthearted approach to an otherwise serious study of the vocal arts.
We knew right away her coaching was multidisciplinary because I was first introduced to Maya when she was one of my dance teachers at the School of Alberta Ballet. Not only is she a talented musician, but also a gifted dancer and choreographer. Mayas coaching emphasized a focus on all parts of the body and mind and how they impact one another. This training was both unconventional (by most north American standards) and very effective for me.
It was a slow process for me to overcome my stage fright but the nonjudgmental and encouraging environment Maya helped build around me allowed me to take more risks and come out of my shell. First I would only sing for her, then my mother… then other students and before I knew it I was anxious to have an audience once again. Maya’s voice training not only helped me to be a better singer over all, but she helped me find a confidence and a way to ground myself that I would not have discovered otherwise.
It sounds cliché, but she really did help me find my voice. And for that, I will forever be grateful.
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