Mikaela Ayira Talks The Voice, Songwriting, and Her Musical Journey

By: Annah Marcelle, Singer-Songwriter
February 20, 2024

Mikaela Ayira: More Than Just a Voice

Every once in a while, an artist comes along with a voice that really strikes you—someone who doesn’t just sing, but makes you feel every word within your soul. Mikaela Ayira is one of those rare talents. At just 17 years old, she’s already made a name for herself, earning a spot in the Top 20 on NBC’s The Voice as part of Team Snoop!

From a young age, Mikaela knew music was her calling, and she’s been writing and performing ever since. And now, with the release of her debut single Again, she’s proving to the world that she’s not just a voice, but a gifted artist with thought and emotion behind her words. Her sound is raw, honest, and deeply moving—qualities that made it a no-brainer to add Again to my Indie Girls NOW playlist on Spotify.

Watching Mikaela on Season 26 of The Voice, I think what truly sets her apart is her passion, her resilience, and her ability to connect with an audience in a way that feels effortless. I’ve had the chance to get to know Mikaela over the last few weeks. We’ve talked about her journey so far, what she learned from The Voice, and what’s next for her as she takes the next big step in her career. I’m so excited to share this conversation with you all. Let’s get to know the incredible Mikaela Ayira!

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Annah Marcelle: Hi Mikaela! First of all, congratulations on making it to the Top 20 of NBC’s The Voice! What an amazing accomplishment and so well deserved! We can’t wait to learn more about your journey and where you’re headed next with your career! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your journey with us!!

What was your favorite take away from the experience?

My favorite take away from this experience is how I learned to connect to the emotion of a song and trust in myself. Before this experience I was very worried about hitting every note to the best of my ability and not messing up. While that’s still important, I learned how to connect more with the song and with the audience. I want to tell a story with my music.

Is there anything you learned from the experience that surprised you?

What surprised me about this experience is how down to earth the coaches can be and easy to talk to. Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg all were very sweet and truly cared about the contestants. What also surprised me is how many friends I made while being there. I miss it so much.

We’ve talked about how you love to write your own songs. What’s your creative process like?

When I’m writing songs, I usually start off with a chord progression on my guitar or piano. From there, I create a melody and then lyrics. Usually I can think of a melody as soon as I start playing the chords, but the lyrics are what really connects to people. So sometimes I have to double check and revise lyrics I may have written down before haha.

What’s that one thought that gets you out of bed in the morning?

My family and being thankful to God that I get to experience my life to the fullest and share my music.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone chasing their dream, whether in music or otherwise?

My message I have for aspiring dreamers is to not give up. As cliche as it sounds it’s SO true. I have been rejected and told “no” so many times. I’ve been denied roles, solos, and opportunities and I used to let that get to me and make me believe that I wasn’t talented. Just because you get told “no” does not determine your talent and value. You don’t know what people may be searching for, their biases, or what they want. As a singer I am never giving up to reach my dreams and other people who have aspirations shouldn’t either!! I’m a strong believer that God had a plan for everyone and you just have to do your best and trust in God.

When you’re not focused on music, how do you like to spend your time?

I love to spend my time with friends or my family, going shopping, or doing artsy things like doing nail designs!

You’re about to graduate from high school in just a few months. What’s next for you?

I’m looking forward to attending Berklee College of Music for songwriting in the fall!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fans or anyone who has supported you on your journey so far?

I want to say thank you to the people who supported me and believe in me on my journey so far. The reason I do music is to connect with people. I want to change the world and bring people together with my music and you guys supporting me is all I can ask for. My supporters truly make me so happy and when my fan base grows I want to continue to uplift people and make people happy!

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