Nina Mya
singer/ composer/ teacherKuva/ Photo: Petra Tiihonen
Profile
Born | 1989 |
Links | |
Booking | Nina Mya, nina.hoynala(at)gmail.com |
Groups |
Nina Mya (b. Nina Höynälä 1989) is a Finnish jazz singer, composer and voice teacher. She started her musical studies at early age by playing classical piano. At the age of 15 she started taking voice lessons and also got into jazz. Since then she has taken part in several jazz competitions and events in Finland and abroad bringing her success and awards.
In fall 2008 Mya started her studies at Sibelius Academy's jazz department. She has had the honor of being taught by such names as Jukkis Uotila, Manuel Dunkel, Dave Liebman and Randy Brecker. The band she currently works with was formed originally in 2008 but they started actively work on Mya's compositions in 2010. The group made their first tour together in spring 2011 and they also participated in the respected Young Nordic Jazz Comets jazz band competition where Mya was awarded with the soloist price.
In July 2012 Mya was awarded with the title of Artist Of The Year 2012 by Pori Jazz Festival where she has also performed several times. In August 2012 the band published their first record together and performed in various events around Finland. Mya has worked a lot with other bands and projecs as well, including musicals and groups from soul and r&b genres.
In Mya's compositions you can mostly hear the American jazz tradition from 50's and 60's combined with contemporary sound and influences from other musical genres. Her biggest influences in vocal music are Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, Jon Hendricks and Aretha Franklin. Mya's strenghts as a singer is her unique sound and brilliant voice technique. She has a strikingly deep, dark and colourful voice, while her phrasing is sure and rhythmically precise. Improvising and performing comes naturally to her.