I fell in love with the qanun but had many doubts holding me back.
I thought I was too old, and as a non-Arab, I wasn’t sure I could grasp the music.
However, with Maya’s teaching, I now understand maqamat and can play taqasim, even without growing up with this music.
I had no music background and couldn’t read music, but Maya didn’t push me to learn sheet music. Instead, she helped me learn in a way that worked for me—by ear.
I also assumed it would take months of scales before I could play a tune, but I played my first one in the very first class.
Learning online seemed daunting, but Maya’s Zoom classes are just as effective as in-person, and she catches every important detail.
I worried about being judged as a beginner in a mixed-level class, but the group is so supportive—it’s a safe space where everyone cheers you on.
After watching Maya’s videos, I knew I had to join her academy, and it exceeded all my expectations. Though I was nervous at first, I quickly felt at home and found my musical path. If I, a nervous, non-Arab, non-musician, could do it—so can you!