Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Mayra Alvarez, 26, of La Porte, Texas, auditioned with Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” and said her biggest challenge would be to make the song her own. Mayra did just that and eventually prompted chair turns from Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton. Gwen called her “such a beautiful singer” and said her voice was “light and fluffy and floating all over the place.” Mayra joined Team Gwen.

Her background: In her pre-audition inteview, Mayra told us she grew up singing in church. Her dad was part of a quartet and, when she started showing an interest in music, he helped out, booking her to sing in churches. She eventually started singing on Christian TV, including TBN and Daystar. “I’m here today because of my dad,” she says.

What the show didn’t show: As a child, Mayra admits she suffered from a bit of stage fright and would cry “because I was so nervous to sing in front of anyone.” But she received constant encouragement from her father, who taught her to sing in English and Spanish. “I like to say he was a nicer version of Joe Jackson,” she says in her Voice video interview. “We had a very loud laundry room at home. He would stick me in the laundry room and have me sing over the washer and dryer.” It worked. On her website bio, we learn that Mayra competed in the Assemblies of God Fine Arts Nationals at age 13 and won two full-year scholarships to the Christian college of her choice. She graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in 2009. She has since provided background vocals for Christian artists Israel Houghton, Michael W.Smith and Steve Crawford, among others. And last year, she released her own Christian pop album, entitled “Promises.” The second video below is a track from that album. Another standout track is “Lovestruck.” Mayra is now worship leader at Grace Community Church in Houston and a children’s vocal teacher. She likes the idea of being coached by Gwen because “she’s outside my box. I feel like she could really stretch me (musically).” Mayra says she writes music too and hopes to record more “inspirational music that encourages people.”

Update: She was eliminated from The Voice when she lost a battle round to Anita Antoinette. They performed Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now.”

Keeping up with Mayra:
Twitter: @MayraVAlvarez
Facebook
YouTube
Website

“Who Are You?” (cover)

“Can You Hear Me”

“Nothing is Impossible”