Meet Yamila Ayala

We were lucky to catch up with Yamila Ayala recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yamila, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Music has always been an integral part of my life. My purpose came about through my journey as a Music Educator and Aspiring Music Therapist. Over the years I have developed techniques and specialized ways of teaching music and it’s been the most fulfilling experience of my life thus far. I started teaching right after high school in 2015 as a substitute music teacher at Kendall Conservatory of Music in Miami Florida.

My students became my greatest teacher’s overtime. They taught me how to be patient, kind, understanding, and flexible with different teaching methods. I implement visual, auditory, and tactile teaching techniques so that everyone I encounter can learn music the best ways that they can. In this line of work, I’ve looked for many opportunities to continue to grow and learn to be the best I can be for my students.

Moving north of South Florida, I found myself teaching at various schools for music such as Da’s Music School in Miami Gardens, Kalo’s Music and Art School in Aventura, New York Music School in Sunrise, and now I find myself using Music as Therapy at Boca School for Autism.

In each of these experiences, I taught music to neurotypical individuals and individuals on the spectrum. All human brains function differently yet when I would find myself in a music setting with them, everyone was similar in so many ways. The schools I worked at gave me all kinds of infants, children, and adults to show music to. I knew then that my purpose in life was to be of service to others though Music Education and Music Therapy.

My dreams continue to expand, and I will one day make a vast difference in the Music Therapy field with research and therapeutic contributions that help others with facets of the human experience that weren’t readily available to them otherwise. The love for what I do drives my purpose. I don’t have many convictions but my ability to help others is one of them. The universe continues to guide me as I continue to love this field of work in every aspect of it.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Yamila Ayala, most people call me “Yami”. I am a professional Musician, Educator, and aspiring Music Therapist. I teach music to humans of all ages, and I am of service to others through music therapy. Besides Education and Music Therapy, I also perform regularly with a three-part harmony girl group called “The Rhythm Chicks”.

We sing and dance all across the US for endearing audiences. Our repertoire consists of music from the 50’s to now paying tribute to Girl Groups and the best music has to offer. I joined this group about 6 years ago through an ad on a Facebook group that is populated with Florida’s best female musicians. I auditioned, and I’ve been loving being a part of this group ever since.

What’s most exciting about singing with The Rhythm Chicks has been the ability to cater to all audiences. We perform at retirement homes, rehabilitation centers, restaurants, and theaters around the US. Nothing makes me happier than to see smiles all around the room because we performed music that takes them back in time because music has no age.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

My three most important qualities are: My patience, perseverance, and living purposefully for everything I do.

All I can say is DO WHAT YOU LOVE!! No matter WHAT life throws at you, you can always get up and do it again.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

For anyone who knows me well, I am an avid book reader. I love to nourish my brain with knowledge for the future and the things I do. The most recent book I’ve had the pleasure of reading was “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.

Reading this book has changed my life and the way I view my purpose. This book is a contemporary allegory that explores themes of fear, control, and self-improvement. The book is filled with inspirational quotes that apply to the human condition. I will share some in hopes that it will move you the way it moved me:

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”

If any of these quotes stirred something up inside, I highly recommend reading this over and over again.

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