Maija Melbardis

Bio

Maija (pronounced as “Maya”) began her classical training in the Bel Canto technique at the age of six. Although originally from California, she spent most of her upbringing on the East Coast in Rhode Island.

Moving around quite a bit, she also had the opportunity to study with the remarkable teacher June Bonner in Charleston, South Carolina. Upon returning to Rhode Island with her family, she continued her training under the notable opera singer Shoshana Feinstein.

Throughout the years, she dedicated herself to mastering vocal technique, studying pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries, different languages, as well as pop, country, and musical theatre.
For high school, she attended St. Mary’s Academy Bayview in Rhode Island, renowned for its strong emphasis on the Arts. Each year, she performed in a Cabaret choreographed and instructed by the late Christine Kavanaugh.

The Cabarets were highly praised in the press, often compared to Broadway shows. They featured compilations of Broadway music, all tied together with a common theme. Christine, a remarkable vocal instructor, excelled in teaching stage presence and choreography.

She was honored with the Best Vocalist award at Providence College during a vocal retreat and has participated in numerous musical theatre performances. Among these, her favorite role was playing Joanna in Sweeney Todd at The Barker Playhouse in Providence, RI.

Maija was awarded a full scholarship to Rhode Island College for Vocal Performance, where she attended only for a year as her sights were set more North, and she moved to Boston. Here she studied privately at New England Conservatory, and Longy school of Music.

The lessons have endured through time. To this day, she vividly recalls her vocal warm-ups on the 22nd floor of the grand theatre in Charleston, SC, the dimly candlelit recording studio at Shoshana’s home, and the auditorium at Bayview, where countless talented young women dedicated their time and talent to the acclaimed performances.
After Boston, she traveled and lived in Los Angeles and New Orleans, where she continued her voice studies, met influential figures in the arts, and immersed herself in the local cultures.

She had countless wonderful experiences, meeting and playing with musicians from all walks of life. She sang with a honky-tonk band in New Orleans and performed Christmas carols on the ferry down the Mississippi.

Returning to New England, where her heart truly belongs, she began studying with the world-renowned Countertenor, Mr. Thomas Mark Fallon. While living in Boston, she also performed weekly at St. Cecilia’s church, celebrated for its beautiful choir and globally streamed liturgies on YouTube.

She applies the techniques from her classical training to strengthen her voice for all genres of music, emphasizing focus, strength, control, and consistent practice. Her approach to teaching is both fun and supportive, aiming to make her students feel comfortable and confident in their unique vocal abilities.

Music has always been the heart and soul of her life, serving not just as a driving force, but as a deep, unwavering passion. Her ultimate goal is to pass on her incredible knowledge and techniques, making a profound and lasting impact on future musicians.

She is profoundly grateful for the experiences she has had, and the highly esteemed instructors she has learned from over the years. These instrumental figures in her life have not only shaped her as a singer but also as the person she is today.

With the same passion and dedication, her mission is to inspire and transform the lives of her students, guiding them to realize their own unique potential.

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