Conversations with MAYA

Today we’d like to introduce you to MAYA.

Hi MAYA, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Music has always been a part of my life. As a kid, I was obsessed with karaoke and couldn’t get enough of Hannah Montana, Camp Rock, High School Musical, and Lemonade Mouth (to name a few). I’d record myself singing in the kitchen on our family computer, and in school I sang, played piano, taught myself violin and ukulele, and performed in musicals. I was also a competitive dancer for years, and being on stage has always been where I feel most alive. As I got older, I started doing karaoke in bars, which gave me a way to perform and connect with people. For the longest time, I never thought I could write my own music (english wasn’t my strongest subject) and I didn’t think I had the words. But after something really traumatic happened just before I turned 21, everything changed. After graduating college, and living on my own for the first time, at 22, I was forced to confront my feelings about this traumatic event, and I started writing and recording songs on my iPad as a way to process it all. I eventually got involved in the Indianapolis music scene, met incredible artists, producers and engineers, and now I’m finding my way in the LA music scene. Performing has always been a part of my life in some way, so sharing my music on stage feels like where I’m meant to be.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles for me was learning how to face my emotions and be honest in my music. I spent a lot of time ignoring my feelings, and it was hard to finally sit with them and turn them into songs. On top of that, Breaking into the music scene and figuring out how to make connections, get opportunities, and find my own sound has been a learning process. But every challenge has taught me something, and has shaped me as an artist.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I make music that’s really personal and honest, often focusing on mental health, life’s challenges, and the emotions we sometimes struggle to express. I write, record, and perform my own songs, and I’ve also worked with producers and other artists to bring my vision to life. I think I’m known for creating music that connects with people on a real, emotional level, something that listeners can feel and relate to.

I’m most proud of staying true to my voice and being able to turn my own experiences, even the difficult ones, into songs that resonate with others. What sets me apart is how deeply personal my approach is, combined with my background in performing, growing up dancing, singing, and being on stage, and my love for storytelling through music. I aim to make each song feel authentic while creating a space where people can feel seen and understood.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’ve been lucky to have so much support along the way. Professor Cutler Armstrong at Butler University helped me rediscover my love for music, my friends in Indianapolis and LA have been amazing cheerleaders, and my family has always believed in me. My dad inspired me to chase what makes me happy, and that encouragement has stuck with me. All of that support has meant so much and helped me get to where I am today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaallcaps/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MAYAMUSICOFFICAL

Image Credits
@solus_adrift (David Caldenas), @bo_rqlsnts