General Info:
As a senior in the University of Southern California/Thornton School of Music's Popular Music Program, Malia is a very busy vocal performance major. She was just named “Outstanding Blues/Pop/Rock Vocal Soloist” by the 2016 Down Beat College Student Music Awards for the second consecutive year. Since January 2015, Malia has performed as a vocal soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Steven Hackman's symphonic mash-up of 'Beethoven Coldplay' and in two world premieres; one with the Colorado Symphony in 'Bartok Bjork' and most recently with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 'Stravinsky's Firebird - Remix -Response'. Malia is also a member of the 2015 International Competition of Collegiate a Cappella's 'real life' Pitch Perfect champions, The SoCal VoCals. The award winning a cappella group had the honor of performing at the White House for President Obama and the First Lady in December 2015 and recently completed a two-week performance tour in Hong Kong. Malia is a proud recipient of a number of scholarships including the Manilow Endowed Music Scholarship, Las Vegas Hospitality Association Scholarship, Scott Borchetta Popular Music Scholarship and the Thornton School Faculty Scholarship. Her musical accomplishments are diverse with a long list of highlights including the honor of singing for President Barack Obama when she was 16 years old, performing in Barry Manilow’s show at Paris Las Vegas at 17 years old, and being selected to perform as a 'Star of Tomorrow' at the Apollo Theater in New York at the age of 13. She graduated from the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts in 2012 as a straight 'A' Advanced Honors student and Theatre Major starring with rave reviews as Tracy in Hairspray and as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. She’s a favorite to sing for professional sporting and special events at venues including Angel Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Staples Center, StubHub Center, Honda Center and AT&T Park.