Maya Krivchenia grew up in Marietta, Ohio, but always felt a connection to Russian culture. Her great-grandfather emigrated to America from Russia in 1915.

As a small child, Maya sat under the piano, sometimes humming along while her mother gave singing lessons. By age 10, she knew she wanted to be an opera singer.

As an undergraduate at Eastman, her voice teacher “didn’t just teach you to sing, he taught the whole person.” Her interest in singing Russian music began, but few voice teachers in the U.S. are trained in Russian language and music.

She chose Ohio State for her master’s degree, largely because of Karen Peeler’s outstanding reputation as a voice teacher. Peeler introduced her to Margarita Mazo, internationally known for her research on Russian music.

Her two mentors helped her develop a Fulbright proposal to study singing at the Mariinsky Academy for Young Singers, part of the prestigious and historic Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. She received the grant for the 2005-06 academic year.

“I fell in love with Russia and the Russian people.” At the end of the Fulbright, the Academy invited Maya to continue her vocal studies, which is rare. Typically students from outside Russia and the former Soviet republic stay a few months to a year, at most. She accepted their invitation and returned to OSU to complete her master’s degree in the fall of 2006.

Mariinsky is full of world-renowned musicians, singers, stage directors, and pianists. Performances occur every evening. The arts are supported by the government, so even those with little money are able to see operas, ballets, concerts. The lines are typically long, with people of all ages. Maya's day usually includes lessons, master classes. Evenings she frequently appears in concerts.

“I don’t envision myself at a major opera company right now. Fame doesn’t interest me. My goal is to sing every day, pay for my food, my home. My soul dies if I don’t sing.”