Meet
MayaJoëlle
Within a few years after moving to the United States, some 40 years ago, I felt compelled to share the growing love for my native country, France, by:
- Co-creating a Cabaret in New Haven CT
- Initiating a play running yearly for 7 years, “Café Déclassé,” an Interactive/environmental musical very well loved Paris Retro type of show in the New Haven area directed by Amy Seham
- Creating and directing “French on Stage,” a traveling theatre designed to draw interest and excitement for learning the French language
- Teaching French Cooking in Chicago and in New Haven area
- Teaching the French Language and culture to children and adults for 30 years
- Presently and actively learning Spanish
From 2000-2007, I taught French and Theater at Brevard Academy in Brevard, NC. I have been teaching in Asheville, NC for 10 years, where I have developed and run my own independent company, “Ah Joie de Vivre.”
While I have been visiting my family in France, I also have developed a deeper relationship with my native country through traveling and exploring different regions, strengthening old friendships and forming new ones. I have traveled in France along with many of my American friends joyfully sharing with them my love for my native country. Many people I have met over the years have asked me if I would organize trips in which they could participate. This is how Kindred Voyages was born. Another way of sharing my native country and what I love most about France is discovering some of the richest regions and their historical diversity, culture and beauty, while incorporating some evenings of singing, dancing and sharing food as I thrive to provide Kindred Voyagers with the experience and sense of community with natives of France.
Listen to Maya’s Reflections.
I am not born for one corner; the whole world is my native land. —Seneca quote
