• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization

Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization

  • ABOUT
    • Report an Ethics or Policy Violation
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Photos
    • News
  • DRUM CORPS
    • Audition
    • General Info
    • For Current Performers
    • Calendar
    • Alumni
      • Alumni Association
      • Alumni Spotlight
  • EDUCATION
    • Workshops
    • Leadership Camps
    • Outreach
  • EVENTS
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop PC
    • Volunteer
    • Golf Tournament
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Honor Roll of Donors
  • FOR EDUCATORS
    • Workshops
    • Leadership Camps
    • DCI Shows Group Tickets
    • DCI Shows Free Ticket
  • SHOP PC
  • CONTACT

DONATE

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Performer Profile: Kayla Mayaki

Kayla Mayaki performed with Pacific Crest in 2013 as a member of the brass section.

Tell us about your background and family:
I was born and raised in Walnut, California. I’m a first-generation American, and my parents are from Ghana, West Africa. I have a 21 year old brother named Badar, who is the reason I became interested in music at a young age.

What brought you to Pacific Crest?Photo_MayakiKayla_2x3
During my freshman year of high school, my percussion captain at school played tenors at Pacific Crest, and he introduced me to drum corps. I decided to march before I graduated, and Pacific Crest was the corps that caught my attention at “Corps at the Crest Los Angeles.” The energy exuded by the performance was incredible, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I showed up to rehearsals, made friends in the corps, and got to know instructors; doing all I could to earn a spot in the corps. I came to the 2012 auditions knowing I wouldn’t get a spot because I was too young, but still wishing for firsthand experience and critique. I was impressed at the environment and felt challenged by the level of work, and was driven to return the next season and earn a spot.

How did the Pacific Crest experience impact your life?
Marching this past season was an incredible experience. Being the youngest member of the corps and having less experience than the others really pushed me to work harder than I ever have before. It helped me improve, not only building musicianship and performance, but also building maturity and character. A drum corps tour is tough, but being part of such a supportive and close family helped me endure. I made friendships that I will cherish forever. I have had experiences that I can look back on that will make me smile. The staff was great, and each lesson learned was a worthwhile one.

That feeling of fierceness, that bond you create on the field with your 149 fellow performers, seeing the reaction of the crowd, feeling the pride in the air after a great performance… those are the memories from last summer that will never leave me. After our incredible Semifinals performance, we huddled and all sang  our corps song. Everybody was in tear. The sense of love and family was nearly palpable.

How you do you think your Pacific Crest experience will affect your future goals?
I came home from this season with a new-found confidence. I learned that I am capable of achieving something if I am passionate about it. The amount of determination and effort I put into marching this season can be transferred to any aspect of my life. If I can rep circle drill infinitely in the humidity of Arkansas, surrounded by wasps and mosquitoes,  I can do anything! Drum corps is about working against all odds to accomplish greatness. I know this new-found determination will improve my performance in school, sports, work, and my relationships. I plan on marching with Pacific Crest for as long as I’m able. This is my home corps, my family, and I want to continue to be a part of it even after I age out. I plan on pursuing a career in music performance/audio production and creative writing, and hope to incorporate drum corps and Pacific Crest into my future.

Is there something you’d like others to know about Pacific Crest?
It’s worth it. If you think you might want to do it, go experience it for yourself. There’s absolutely nothing to lose and I can guarantee that it will be worth it.

Filed Under: News, Alumni News, Performer Profiles

Primary Sidebar

Pacific Crest Header Logo - Drum and Bugle Corp. Diamond Bar, CA
Pacific Crest Title Sponsor image
[adrotate group="2"]
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
PacificCrest2019-DrumandBugleCorpsTanakayBGb

 

Pacific Crest Mission Statement

The mission of Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization is to provide superior educational and competitive performing arts programs that change the lives of young people in the greater Southern California region and prepare them for leadership in a fast-moving world.

 

MAKE A GIFT

 

Ad Rotate

[adrotate group=”1″]

  • ABOUT
    • Report an Ethics or Policy Violation
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Photos
    • News
  • DRUM CORPS
    • Audition
    • General Info
    • For Current Performers
    • Calendar
    • Alumni
      • Alumni Association
      • Alumni Spotlight
  • EDUCATION
    • Workshops
    • Leadership Camps
    • Outreach
  • EVENTS
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop PC
    • Volunteer
    • Golf Tournament
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Honor Roll of Donors
  • FOR EDUCATORS
    • Workshops
    • Leadership Camps
    • DCI Shows Group Tickets
    • DCI Shows Free Ticket
  • SHOP PC
  • CONTACT

Footer

Pacific Crest - Drum and Bugle Corp. Diamond Bar, CA
  • ALUMNI
  • SHOP
  • AUDITIONS
  • PROGRAMS
  • EVENTS

LATEST NEWS

  • Remembering Edward Martin, Pacific Crest’s Operations Director

  • Meet the 2025 Pacific Crest Drum Major Team

  • 2025 Information Sessions

  • Announcing Our 2024 Drum Major Team

  • Katie Takahashi Joins as Education Programs Director

Copyright © 2025 · Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization · Responsive website by Social Cindy · Log in