Maya Burns

Born in Monterey, Ca. to a family of handcrafters who travel all over California attending craft fairs and music festivals and selling their art, Maya Burns is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, bilingual singer-songwriter.

At the age of two, Maya made her onstage debut at the Live Oak Music Festival and has performed there every year since. Last year 2016, Maya returned with her 4 person Maya Burns Band which packed the Hot Licks Stage and led to a follow-up NPR interview.

At age 4, Maya's parents moved to Ensenada, Mexico in Baja California which introduced Maya to the amazing folk tradition of Mexico music (Ranchero/Bolero) giving Maya a similar background in music upbringing as Linda Ronstadt and Joan Baez.

When Maya was 11, Linda Ronstadt found Maya performing on YOUTUBE and personally invited Maya to open her Mariachi concert in San Jose CA. After Maya’s performance, Linda Ronstadt told Maya that she reminded her of a young Lola Beltrán.
At 12, Maya wrote her first original song called "Today Could Be the Start" after experiencing and learning firsthand about prejudice.

In 2016 Maya moved back to California and worked at the revered Rubicon Theatre on a play called eXtras, writing/performing and directing all the music in the show which went on to win the L.A.Times Critics choice award. In regards to Maya’s musical contribution the article stated "Adding emotional resonance is the original score composed and performed by 17-year-old prodigy Maya Burns in a variety of styles befitting the characters and their stories."

Now 18, Maya continues to write/compose, play and sing at music festivals all over California and has branched out into Mexico City spreading her message of peace, empathy and the transcending of borders.