A Happy Transplant from the UK, bringing all 4 kids in tow. Maya's entrepreneurial spirit came with her!

 

After 4 years at Beckenham Art College in the 60's Maya was hired to teach Graphic Design and Illustration at Ravensbourne College of Art. 8 years later a move to Royal Tunbridge Wells got her thinking again! ~ renting a Victorian shop property she converted the basement into a Bakery with marble from junkyards, and second hand ovens. Creating a line of gourmet Quiches, Pizzas, Veggie Turnovers, Energy Bars and Cheesecakes, hiring friends and teenage daughters Laura & Halima for preparation, baking and washing numerous pots and pans!!  

Maya had a lifelong dream of one day becoming an actor, somehow being a single working mom at that time this dream did not quite gel!

 

Arriving in California was a wonderful culture shock to say the least! so once again with the help of daughter Laura she set up shop baking and selling her wares to local stores, demos at Mrs Gooch's and Wholefoods and more! Eventually leading to a huge interest in the Energy Bars which sold like ~ HOTcakes! 8 flavors were created, labels designed, product packaged, and after much product testing National Distribution secured! Much investment was required to to take this to the next level (no crowdfunding in those days!) so stopped baking to cries of Oh No!!

 

The day Maya met Toni Bull Bua and Gene Bua she had no idea her life was going to change forever!! A love of helping people led her to help fundraise and eventually run the Programs of Here's To Life Foundation ~ not only that ~ but the amazing opportunity to be moulded in to shape as an actor by the incredible force, wisdom and insight of Gene Bua  at The Acting For Life Theatre in Burbank where many famous alumni had trained before! He with his beautiful wife and soulmate Toni had been teaching "their way" for over 25 years, now Toni holds the flame after Gene's Passing last year ~ she is a fantastic teacher and Maya still studies with her at Bua Acting For Life weekly. Her fabulously talented AFL family! 

 

In a short time she has built a reasonable Resume, has setup a home studio for voiceover recording ~ and with wonderful commercial and print agents has worked consistently. Goal now is to expand theatrically in Film and TV ~ love of creating characters  keeps her busy taking Improv classes and workshops galore!

 

Recently she just completed filming a Documentary on Mental Illness called "I'm Not Sick"  the desire is to help destigmatise the outlook on Mental Illness, having a daughter who has struggled with this for three decades.

 

Adopted in the wartime kept the mystery of her origins, recently Maya tracked her Ancestors, a motley crew of Brits: A Jewish Fishmonger in SOHO, A Jewish Showgirl, A Jewish Chocolate Factory Worker, A British Aristocrat ect:! 

 

The thing that keeps her going is a Double Long Pour Espresso! ( although juicing has become a fierce contender!!)

 

The love for family and two amazing grand daughters Ayla and Chelsea! Thank you God for all your blessings!