Maria J  
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Salsa, Spirituals, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Mariachi, Avant-garde

I am a passionate advocate of the arts, performing, composing, and arranging a variety of music with a latin/jazz oriented focus. I am also a professional in communication development and media relations.  In 2013 I graduated in Organizational Communications and in 2015 I graduated from Berklee College of Music as a Professional Musician with a focus in Vocal performance and Jazz Composition. Teaching is another big passion in my life, mostly because I feel I really connect with my students to help them reach the goals they set for themselves. Voice is a such a personal and intimate instrument and getting to know the technical and theoretical part of it can be overwhelming, my objective is to make this road easier for you by breaking concepts down as much as possible and allowing you to enjoy the journey while keeping a focus in a safe environment. Here is a bit about me: Maria Alejandra is a versatile artist from Barrancas, La Guajira, Colombia. Her work as a singer and actress in Colombia, began in Musical Theatre with Teatro Musical de Colombia as part of “Claus, el Musical” and “La Tonada Siniestra”. She later moved to Boston to study Professional Music, and was selected to do a special performance for honorary degree recipient, Rita Moreno, at the 2016 Commencement Ceremony as “Anita” from “West Side Story”. In 2016 Maria moved to New York to continue her career and has collaborated in projects with Folklore Urbano and ID Studio under the direction of Pablo Mayor and, HOLA award winner, German Jaramillo. Today Maria Alejandra tours as part of the cast for “Americas 3” under the direction of Karin Stein, and as part of the Bilingual Birdies Band “Fiesta Tropical” production. As a musician, Maria Alejandra has recorded for several projects, including her own self-titled album “a l e a”. She has toured in the USA and Colombia giving stunning performances in places like the Louis Armstrong Wonderful World Festival (New York), The International Literature and Culture Fest (Medellín, Colombia), Worcester Mechanics Hall (Worcester, MA), Assembly Row - Berklee Summer in the City Series, Out of The Box, and the Latin America VIVE Music Festival (Boston, MA). She has also shared the stage with well known and grammy-award nominated/winning artistes like Totó La Momposina, Gregorio Uribe, Sinuhé Padilla, Pablo Mayor and Alex Alvear's Mango Blue. For more information on Maria’s music please visit www.alealeamusic.com Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications from La Colegiatura Colombiana and a Diploma in Professional Music (Jazz Composition and Voice Performance) from Berklee College of Music. This is what other have to say about my work as Alea, my artist name: -“Spectacular!“ - Alfonso H. Díaz, Canal Nuestra Tele TV -“Alea's compositions are courageous.“ David Frankel, Avenue B. - “Back to her roots [...] She has recreated her world away from her homeland. Her lyrics are a young woman's blues". - Arturo Arévalo, Photographer/Anthropologist Colombian artist Alea is a progressive and pioneering artist of her generation. Alea's music arrests you with authenticity and honesty. Alongside brilliant performers Sinuhé Padilla-Isunza, Jonathan Gómez, and Juan F. Ruiz; Alea delivers a high energy performance that travels through many countries in Latin America, recreating its rich culture. The band's stage presence is powerfully unmistakeable, and experiencing them live will transport one - while at the same time stamping their uniquely musical imprint. The group accentuates buttery vocals, deep-rooted grooves, holistic guitar conversations and riveting sax and clarinet performances. The communion of Cumbia, Vallenato, Rancheras, Jazz, and Pop make possible their diverse soundscape with that New York City edge. This versatile Artist has given stunning performances in places like Guadalupe Inn (NYC), The International Literature and Culture Fest (Medellín, Colombia), Worcester Mechanics Hall (Worcester, MA), Berklee Summer in the City Series, Latin America VIVE Music Festival (Boston, MA). Alea has also shared the stage with well known and grammy-award nominated/winning artists like Totó La Momposina, Sergio Mendoza (Los Hijos de la Montaña and Orkesta Mendoza), Gregorio Uribe, Pablo Mayor, Sinuhé Padilla, and Mireya Ramos (Flor de Toloache). After their debut tour in Colombia –Bogotá, Barranquilla, and Medellín- during September 2016, the group has crafted new music and arrangements to perform throughout New York. The local audience has experienced a more soulful, intimate, and passionate approach to traditional and contemporary latin folk music. The Colombian Born and raised artiste from Barrancas, La Guajira had lived in Boston during her studies at Berklee College of Music and made her move shortly after to New York.