As a second-generation immigrant, the road wasn’t always easy, but the music never stopped calling. With the support of people who saw her potential before she could fully see it herself, Maira carved out a path that’s entirely her own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The power of passion and community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Maira reflected on the challenges she and her family faced from the very beginning. “We didn’t have a lot of resources. We grew up in a studio home. There were six of us, so that was very tumultuous.” However, Maira found her outlet in music \u2014 and, crucially, she found people who recognized her gift. “I had a really great village of people that saw something in me, believed in me, and pushed me,” she said. Although she couldn’t afford a choir dress, lessons, or being in the orchestra, her dedication spoke for itself. Maira said, “\u2026they saw that I went every single Saturday, and they let me go. They saw that I really enjoyed being there, and they didn’t take that from me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While in high school, Maira was paired with Nancy Josephson through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. Nancy’s investment in Maira’s future would prove life-changing. “She was very adamant about making sure that I went into college. She paid for 18 of my college applications, my SAT prep, and the test,” Maira said. “Her help was very pivotal in helping me get into Occidental College. I got a full ride from it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Music, motherhood, and Mariachi Tierra Mia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While attending grad school in 2016, Maira became pregnant with her first daughter. Motherhood shifted her perspective in a powerful way. “I’m a mother, so my schedule is not free all the time anymore, so I need to find a way to make income. That’s where the idea of Mariachi Tierra Mia came about,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to performing and directing the mariachi group, Maira has worked as a teacher, striving to give students opportunities she never had. “I feel that as a teacher, my way of giving back is with my students….every time I see them, I realize, like, man, these kids need a lot of love, so I try to do the best I can, to offer a little sprinkling of that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Maira, success is something far bigger than any single achievement. “I think success is something that’s ongoing. It feels successful as a mom because, even though I have my good and bad days, I know they feel loved constantly, and for me, that makes me feel successful.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n