Andrew Fogliano
Voice, Drums, Guitar, Ukulele and Music Theory Instructor (2 Years)
Recommendation Letter (PDF)
"It is an honor and a privilege to recommend Maya Cueva for admission to your undergraduate program. As Maya's music teacher for the past year and a half, I have had the pleasure of watching her grow into an outstanding and inspirational young musician.
Maya is an undeniably talented singer, multi-instrumentalist, and performer. She routinely adds new instruments to her arsenal while being a sponge for music theory and ear training. She has superb and effortless control of her singing voice while also displaying musical maturity that is well beyond her years. Maya is the type of musician and person I would trust in any situation, whether it be mentoring younger musicians, sitting in for an absent drummer, or jumping on stage with professionals to debut her latest song.
What truly separates Maya from other talented musicians is her dedication to purity and her prolific songwriting ability. Her open mind is always primed for inspiration and change while her commitment to the voice within keeps Maya rooted in her own personal relationship to music. This unfailing connection to “the muse” makes her original music soulful and unique.
Maya’s spirit combined with her effortless understanding of the manipulation of sound not only makes her a top candidate for any music school, but also makes her a pillar of the songwriting community. In an age of flash, glitz, and no substance, Maya’s voice shines as a beacon of hope for the future of music.
I sincerely recommend Maya Cueva as a candidate for admission. She will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset for any music program, inspiring both peers and teacher as she continues to transcend any obstacle she may face."
"It is my pleasure to recommend to you a talented young woman, Maya Cueva. I have known Maya for over 4. years and have enjoyed watching her grow in both a musical and a personal sense. Maya is a talented singer, musician and songwriter with both maturity and presence.
I first met Maya while Music Directing for a youth theater group in Salem, MA. A talent, even then, she was always prepared for rehearsal and always gave her best effort. Maya was easy to direct musically and worked hard lo bring her best performance to light. In addition to seeking opportunities to perform, she also did work behind the scenes, learning the entire world of musical theater. She did costuming work, acted as an assistant for the younger students, and dabbled in choreography all while honing her own artistic talent. In short, she was hungry for any opportunity to learn.
About 2 years ago, Maya became my vocal student. Maya is a dedicated student who has a passion for music. We worked on solidifying her vocal range to provide support for her upper range as well as proper breathing and vowel formations for various styles of music. She has a strong and expressive voice and learns new songs quickly. Over this time, Maya began to study songwriting in earnest and showed another side or her talent. I had her perform for our end of year recital and encouraged her to sing and play one of the songs she had written. Not only did she sing, but she accompanied herself with a riveting stage presence and m;my audience members commented on her strong performance.
I have also given Maya some basic instruction regarding Music Theory. As a songwriter, she recognizes that a strong technical grasp of theory will give her many more tools with which to express her message in song. She caught on quickly and showed perseverance in tackling some or the harder theoretical ideas.
I know that Maya will be an asset to any program that she attends. Maya has only just begun to tap into her many talents and with college level training, I know that she will excel. I highly recommend Maya Cueva to your program."
"I am very pleased to recommend Maya Cueva as a candidate for admission. As a teacher and mentor to Maya for the past many years, I have had the pleasure of watching Maya mature artistically and personally into an admirable young adult.
Maya is a talented, smart, creative, and compassionate leader in all aspects of her life. I met Maya in 2011, when she auditioned for a role in our production of “The Princess Bride” at North Shore Children’s Theatre (NSCT), where I served as the Executive Director. Maya, even in her first theatre experience, was willing to take on extra roles, eager to learn all she could about theatre and the rehearsal process.
She has since starred in leading and supporting roles both acting and dancing, taking artistic risks and growing as a performer. One of her most memorable moments was when she played “Fiona” in “Shrek! The Musical,” where I was brought to tears watching off stage as she sang “Who I’d Be,” the Act I finale.
The maturity in her singing, the confidence in her movement, and her gleaming stage presence were a beautiful sight, knowing that she had grown from a shy, self-conscious girl just years before. Her continued hard work and dedication to her cast mates, teachers and learning are apparent in each amazing performance she has given. I have also seen her take initiative as a leader to the younger students, whether it was to guide them to take their places during the shows, or help them backstage with their nervous tears. Maya has taken advantage of many performance and learning opportunities beyond NSCT to further her learning and passion for music and theatre. She is also an avid song writer and plays multiple instruments, and she is an accomplished tap dancer. Her drive, dedication and thirst for learning will only continue to flourish as she journeys into the college experience.
I have also had the opportunity to work with Maya for three years as she was an Assistant Costume Designer and Assistant Teacher for NSCT during school year and summer programs. Maya helped to sew and create hundreds of costumes and props, as well as led drama games and summer camp activities overseeing children ages 3-16 years old. She has found yet another talent in costume design, inventing elaborate headpieces and accessories along with helping to sew custom garments. As an Assistant Teacher, she helped lead the students through acting, singing and dance exercises and managed the classrooms with confidence and ease. Trained along with our staff in Dr. Howard Glasser’s “Nurtured Heart Approach” of behavioral management, Maya became well versed in managing classrooms of students, attending to the behavioral issues, and especially helping those with learning difficulties. As a student and employee, she has shown tremendous growth because of her eagerness and willingness to learn, adapt, and work with others. Through her caring leadership, professionalism, and passion for the arts, Maya has been an invaluable asset to the company, both as a student leader and staff member and positive role model for younger students.
I firmly endorse Maya Cueva as a candidate for admission, as I know she will continue to make a positive impact on the community that is lucky enough to have her."