Today we’d like to introduce you to Aja (Coolintentions) Maria.
Hi Aja, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From a young age, my passion for performance was evident. I started singing at three. At seven years old, my mother took me to see The Sound of Music at The Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland. I remember being in awe as an audience member. I was completely captivated. I looked at my mom and said “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life”.
Declaring my lifelong dream. Being the supportive mom that she is, my mom not only heard me but acted instantaneously! She took me on auditions as a child and from there I would go on to perform in many local musicals/plays around the city. Winning a McDonald’s talent show in a local mall, led me to my television debut at 9 years old on a popular Talent Show called “Its Showtime at the Apollo” in NYC. At 10 years old, I remember my mother came up to my school. Looking back, it’s so funny, my mom was so down haha.
She asked me in the middle of a school day if I wanted to audition for a Broadway show called “Hairspray”. I was super excited. Of course, I said Yes and it’s in the middle of a school day, whatttt YES! Haha. I auditioned for my first major role. Talk about nervousness and excitement all at the same time. Well, I did not get the part, and it was okay. I continued local performances and auditions (and school lol). Now if you thought that was fun, here’s where the fun starts. Two years later, The casting company of Hairspray, Bernard Tesley Casting, to be exact called my mother for an update on my height.
My mom gave them the update on my height and Bernard Tesley Casting asked me to come to New York City to audition for Hairspray. So boom, my mom and I are in NYC and I’m ready to audition for Hairspray. I auditioned, they loved it and wanted to see me the next day to audition for the director. They offered to put us in a hotel (Paramount Hotel) for the night as they knew we lived in Maryland. We were in awe and humbly accepted their accommodations. The hotel was so nice! The very next morning I auditioned for the director.
It was on the drive home (the Jersey Turnpike) that my mom would receive a call stating “I Got The Part”. I remember it like it was yesterday. My mom had to pull over on the side of the road to hear the big news without crashing from excitement. It was then, at the mere age of 12, when I made my Broadway debut as Lil Inez in Hairspray. Never have I ever even seen a Broadway show before. Mind-blowing. I would rehearse with the dance captains at a dance studio located on 42nd St. Weeks into rehearsals, I had the opportunity to meet the original cast members backstage of the theater and alas watch for the very first time a Broadway show.
My Broadway show. Wow. It was incredible. Post-Broadway, I was accepted into The Baltimore School for the Arts High School where I studied Music. In college, I studied Film/Television at AMDA (NY/LA). Television/Film/Music credits: Law & Order: SVU, Boy Wonder, Perfect Man, Afia.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In navigating this journey, I encountered a personal obstacle that shaped my experience. One significant challenge was the revelation that the father I grew up with was my stepfather, and I had no whereabouts of my biological father.
Discovering this missing piece of my identity hit me hard, leading to a period of shutdown during adolescence. I ceased singing in the house, a passion that once filled my home. The emotional impact persisted even amid my professional success, marking a profound internal obstacle that I had to overcome.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my journey, I’ve thrived in the realm of performance, specializing in singing and acting. Known for my early success on Broadway, appearances on Law and Order: SVU, and performances for prestigious events like the Olympics, The Today’s Show, and Macy’s Day Parade, I take pride in a diverse and impactful career.
What sets me apart is not just the professional achievements but the personal resilience to overcome obstacles, like discovering my true parentage, and continuing to shine in the spotlight despite the challenges. My ability to blend talent with resilience is what defines my unique path.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
There are 2 I will say. 1. The resilience to persevere through personal challenges. The discovery of my true parentage and the subsequent emotional turmoil could have derailed my passion, yet I learned to navigate and continue thriving in my career.
The ability to face personal obstacles while maintaining professional success has been a profound and empowering lesson. And 2, in the beautiful mosaic of my journey, I’ve unearthed a powerful truth – within the sea of “no’s,” the journey and process hold unparalleled significance. Embracing divine timing, I’ve discovered that every rejection is a crucial stepping stone, a form of protection propelling me toward the much-anticipated “yes.”
Far from discouragement, rejection becomes a motivational force, a sculptor refining me for the defining moments that eclipse every past “no.” Fearlessly welcoming rejection is a transformative journey, preparing me for the awe-inspiring moments that await. Remember, in the dance of life, each rejection is a rhythmic step towards your grandest “yes.”
Pricing:
- Music Feature Studio $100
- Performance $200
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coolintentions
- SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/shescoolintentions
