Maria Alejandra Jimenez
Lesson Feesfrom $30.00 / 30 Minutes
Promotions Available
About
I'm a passionate advocate of the arts, performing, composing, and arranging a variety of music with a latin/jazz oriented focus. I'm 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 down concepts as much as possible and allowing you to enjoy the journey while keeping a focus in a safe environment.
Here is a short bio:
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 , Mexico, Colombia, Spain, and Belgium, 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 others have to say about my work as Alea, my artist name:
- “When alea gets on stage with her rebel curls, her body irradiating rhythm, and her powerful voice; music expands like a wave and floods every centimeter of the room.” - Mariza Bafile, Vice Versa Magazine
-“Espectacular!“ - Alfonso H. Díaz, Canal Nuestra Tele
- “Jazz, bullerengue, soul, funk and cumbia. An unusual potpourri full of flavor. That is what Alea is presenting.“ - El Tiempo (Colombia)
-“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. Her vision brings music from all parts of latin america, adds pop, jazz, urban beats and breaks through the usual models of what we define Latin music to be. Her music portrays a whole new generation of latin ethnic futurism and experimental folkloric music. Alongside brilliant performers Sinuhé Padilla-Isunza and Franco Pinna, Alea delivers a high energy performance that travels through many countries in Latin America. 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 Musikfest (2018), Tito Puente Latin Music Series (Boston), Guadalupe Inn (NYC), The International Literature and Culture Fest 2016 (Medellín, Colombia), Worcester Mechanics Hall (Worcester, MA), and 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, (Folklore Urbano) and Sinuhé Padilla (Jarana Beat).
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.
In October 2018, Alea successfully funded her newest work through an Indiegogo campaign, an album rooted in female and latinx empowerment. No Hay Na' is the first single to drop since and is setting the ground for what's to come in the coming months. Make sure to save the song on your Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube playlists. This neo-tropical and latin-urban groove was produced by Sinuhé Padilla-Isunza at Jarana Records in the Bronx and the music video was recorded and directed by Henry Burgos, in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Social Media
www.Instagram.com/alealeamusic
Youtube
More Videos!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTfJm7tS_PU
My Experience
I started teaching when I was about 15 years old, I lead a dance group and choreographed a 50 min show about african heritage in North and South American cultures. It was a big project and it helped me realize how much I loved teaching. From then on I've taught several subjects from dance, to Spanish and voice lessons. During my time at Berklee I was also a Core Music Tutor for Ear Training, Harmony, and Tonal harmony. Today I have private voice students in New York and Colombia, in person and also online. I'm always looking for better methods that will help my students in their path and thats why I constantly investigate books and new styles. Together my students and I are motivated to prepare their recitals and competitions for school or other bigger challenges. I love to help them be the best they can be.
My Methods
There are many methods in voice, but my favorite teaching method is Vaccai. Its a simple and thorough method that explores intervalic reading and understanding theory, as well as classical breath training. I also teach vocal improvisation with jazz standards and allow my students to research about other styles and genres that they are curious about. The most important thing is they keep a good vocal health practice that allows them to be versatile and creative. Singing is such a personal and meditative instrument that the more time you spend understanding your voice the more you will be able to achieve.
My Teaching Style
My biggest reward is seeing my students passionate about their voice, their instrument, their music. I focus a lot on understanding music from the piano so I feel very happy when they can demonstrate good musicianship skills in challenging settings. For this to happen I usually set up small objectives for each class and help them set new goals during their own practice time that will allow continuous improvement during our next lesson. For example, being able to sing a 3rd with just playing the tonic or dominant notes. This skill allows the student to find their place within the music in any future setting.
Diploma in Professional Music (Jazz Composition and Voice Performance) from Berklee College of Music.
Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications from La Colegiatura Colombiana