By Raci Levine
Executive Features Editor
Junior Ava May began giving singing lessons in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic. She started singing when she was four years old and was inspired by her singing teacher John Comoso, a professional vocalist who taught her basic techniques of singing.
May has been singing for years and wants to relay her knowledge to young kids interested in music. According to May, she hopes to help young singers strengthen their singing ablity.
“My teacher, John Comoso, has taught me many valuable lessons that have continued to stick with me during my singing and acting journey,” May said. “I plan to help younger kids grow by giving them the resources that Comoso gave me.”
May teaches local South Bay children interested in acting or singing. Her sessions range from 30 minutes to an hour, focusing primarily on the kid’s confidence. In addition, May focuses on her students’ weaknesses so they can gain confidence in that area.
“My favorite part about teaching little kids is helping them build their confidence,” May said. “I love seeing the kids grow and continue to get better every lesson. Sometimes the kids are very hesitant to sing, but my goal is to help them come out of their shell and grow their confidence.”
She starts her lessons with a variety of vocal warmups like lip trills, numbers, and annunciation practice. For boys, May focuses on their lower ranges but tries to see if they get into the higher ranges, and vice versa for girls.
“It is really important for me to have a wide range of vocal technique and vocal variety within different genres,” May said. “I am unfamiliar with different genres of songs, so it can be hard for me to branch out from what I’m comfortable with. While I do this for myself, it’s also important I do this for the younger kids I teach.”
May is currently a part of the Advanced Drama program at Costa and has been a part of the Drama program since her freshman year. May has been a part of many Costa productions, like “LoveSick” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
“So far, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ has been my favorite production,” May said. “I played Babbette, and the crew and cast were so fun to work with. Making time to bond with the crew of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ made the play so much more enjoyable for everyone.”
Although May has a passion for acting, she prefers singing because of the connections she has made. She has worked with director of Palos Verdes Performing Arts (PVPA) conservatory Joel Sluyter, who helped train May on her vocals and lesson structure for her teachings. In addition, May’s singing career also introduced her to Mira Costa Drama Department director Jonathan Westerberg. He has motivated May to push through her weaknesses and has given her tools to help her be able to sing diverse styles of songs, allowing May to get out of her comfort zone.
“I love teaching kids because I too have struggled with the confidence of trying new music material,” said May. “Since I can relate to the kids I am teaching, I feel like I can help them become more comfortable in a singing environment.”
May wants to continue to teach younger kids when she attends college. She intends to receive a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and music theater and use it to find a professional career related to musical theater and singing.
“The musical arts will always be my passion and a part of who I am,” said May.
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