Native California pianist/singer songwriter Maya Carina has been classically trained from the age of 4 and influenced by Monk, Prince, Joni Mitchell, Mahalia Jackson, Bob Dylan, and Sade.  Writing songs and composing her own piano accompaniment was innate to her and she used it as her most powerful method of  communication as a child.  While she was getting her degree in Piano Performance, she decided to follow other passions in Science. 

 

After she landed a  career as a medicinal chemist in southern California, Maya continued to write and perform originals and covers with musicians in Los Angeles.   During this time, she signed to a U.K. label and created her first solo album ‘Sonic Soul’.  Leaving the world of chemistry to tour in support of this album, Maya traveled across the country to perform and record with legends such as Jimmy Cobb (Miles Davis drums), Deacon Jones (John Lee Hooker), Hammond B,  Danny 'Kootch' Kortchmar (Carole King, guitar), Larry Campbell (Levon Helm guitars & fiddle), the Reverend Lois Dejean's gospel choir (Mahalia Jackson), The Jerry Jumonville's Spotted Cats Brass Section (Dr. John), Guitar Skip Edwards (Lucinda Williams), and others.  The splash created by ‘Sonic Soul’ provided introductions to many Los Angeles based songwriters and to a lot of fun performances.

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She is currently working on new songs with her  writing group Aqua Summers, incorporating trap beats, pop vocals, and danceable empowering themes.  For a sneek peak at this sound, go to https://soundcloud.com/aquasummers.

  

Maya Carina taught a 6 week summer program at the Tony School of Music headed by super producer D'wayne Wiggins of Tony Toni Tone.  (D'wayne Wiggins is also credited for  the rise of Beyonce and Alicia Keys.)   She is currently nurturing new talent and teaching in the North California area.

   

Maya believes in the power of music to uplift individuals and change the world!