Career Highlights

• Studied tap under Savion Glover of Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk
• Once tap danced onstage with famous tap-dancer, Gregory Hines
• Won numerous music awards for her collaboration in the cover of Lady Marmalade including a Grammy
• Named after Maya Angelou
• Established the Mya Arts Foundation to bring the Arts to the youth of Washington DC

Mya Marie Harrison, professionally known as Mya, was Dance Theater of Harlem, and appeared on the Black Entertainment Television Network’s Teen Summit. During her high school career, Mya switched focuses towards music, and at 17-years-old, she signed a record deal with Interscope Records.

Mya’s debut, double-platinum album Mya won two Soul Train Music Award nominations. Since than, Mia’s second album Fear of Flying and third album Mood Ring both debuted in the top 15 on the Billboard 200 chart. After the release of Fear of Flying, Mia began her acting career, appearing in films such as Dirty Dancing Havana Nights, Shall We Dance and Cursed. In 2002, she received a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in the Academy Award-winning musical film Chicago.

In 2005, Mia signed a contract with Ford Modeling Agency, and founded TMATF: The Mya Arts and Technology Foundation, a nonprofit organization for disadvantaged youth. Presently, Mia is working on a studio album, as well as an upcoming psychological thriller Disciple. Both are set to release in 2010.

Mya joined host Janell Snowden to answer the questions of students from Howard University. Rachel asks what sparked Mya’s interest in dance. Crystal asked for advice for a music theater major. Adam wanted to know how she controls her image and Desirae asks Mya about her acting experiences.