Meet Malaya Watson, Featured Alumna Soloist

A Winter Fantasy is this Sunday! Look forward to Malaya Watson's performance for the 10th Anniversary Concert event on December 17th.  

Malaya Watson spent two seasons with MOTCC and performed in the production of The Very Last Green Thing before finishing eighth place on the thirteenth season of American Idol. While touring in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2014 she worked on her debut EP, My Diary, and her unnamed album. She is currently attending Berklee College of Music as both a Composition and Contemporary Writing Major with digital singles, When I Was Your Man, The Long and Winding Road, Ain’t No Way, and Through that Fire. ​

Name: Malaya Watson
Hometown: Berkley 
Season in MOTCC: 

• 2008-09 Brundibár
• 2009-10 The Very Last Green Thing

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What was your experience like at MOTCC?
For me, MOTCC was my first time working professionally. The experience was refreshing; to be around people that have the same drive and interest as you musically is a tremendous feeling. It makes you feel like you belong somewhere, kind of like a family. It also exposed me to the classical side of music which I still enjoy to this day. 

Is there any advice you would give to students in the MOTCC now?
1. PRACTICE! When I first started, I was lazy. I didn't feel like practicing at all but I would go to rehearsal lost. Once I actually sat down and practiced at home, rehearsals would be a breeze and more enjoyable. Plus, the satisfaction from knowing you've got it all down is remarkable...at least to me
2. Listen to the people around you. That includes instructors and peers. Of course, like I always say: you take in what you allow yourself to take in and you leave pout what you allow yourself to leave out. But listen to the things people critique you on when it comes to music or your attitude in the work spaced. Analyze it and see if it applies to your life and if so how can you change it leave it the same or remove it all together. 
3. Stay true to who YOU are. Don't let other people's harsh opinions about you make you shift who you truly are. Coming from experience, it's hard to find yourself again once you've lost it. So, if you want to be a singer, be the best singer you can be. If you want to walk dogs, you walk those dogs like there's no tomorrow. Just always remember to be YOU.

What are your future goals and musical aspirations?
I'm going to become one of the biggest, if not THEE biggest performers while also film scoring, composing and MDing other artists.

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