Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Tuylieva.
Hi Maya , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Music Academy of Kansas City, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, stands as a powerful example of remarkable growth and expanding impact. What began in 2015 as a single-room piano studio in the Crossroads District has blossomed into a vibrant multi-instrument academy—now reaching students and families across Overland Park, Lenexa, Shawnee, Olathe, and the entire Kansas City metro area.
Over the past decade, MAKC has dramatically expanded both its reach and its artistic depth. What once focused primarily on piano has grown into a dynamic multi-instrument academy offering private instruction in piano, strings, voice, guitar, woodwinds, and more—supported by a faculty of highly trained instructors from diverse international backgrounds who bring world-class experience into every lesson.
In 2025, the academy took another major leap forward by launching its dedicated chamber music program, Kansas City Young Chamber Musicians. This exciting addition now gives young musicians across the metro area the chance to collaborate, perform, and grow together—further strengthening the local classical music community and helping students develop into well-rounded artists.
Today, the Music Academy of Kansas City operates from its Overland Park home and maintains Tuyli Shire Hall, a vibrant performance space that hosts student recitals and community events. Through both in-person and online instruction, the academy combines personalized teaching with meaningful ensemble experiences that build artistry, discipline, and lasting confidence.
From its humble beginnings to its current role as a multi-program music school, MAKC has shown what focused vision and dedication can achieve. As Kansas City continues to grow as a cultural center, the Music Academy of Kansas City is positioned to make an even greater impact—nurturing talent, expanding access to excellence, and helping shape the next generation of musicians in the region.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been an entirely smooth road—and that is part of what makes the Music Academy of Kansas City’s story so compelling. Like many growing organizations, MAKC has faced real challenges along the way.
One of the earliest was simply starting small. In its first years, the academy operated out of a single rented room with limited resources, steadily building enrollment and reputation one student at a time. As demand grew, so did the need for more space, more faculty, and broader program offerings—each step requiring careful planning and calculated risk.
The greatest test came during the COVID-19 pandemic. When in-person lessons suddenly became impossible, the academy responded with remarkable speed and flexibility. Within days, instruction shifted online, allowing students to continue their musical development without interruption. That rapid adaptation not only kept the academy going—it expanded its reach and proved that high-quality music education could thrive even under the most difficult circumstances.
Other challenges included recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty, carefully expanding into new instruments and programs while protecting artistic standards, and navigating the practical demands of growth. Each of these moments required resilience, creativity, and a clear sense of purpose.
Rather than slowing the academy down, these experiences strengthened it. Today, MAKC is more adaptable, more diverse in its offerings, and more deeply connected to the families and communities it serves. The road has not always been easy, but it has shaped a stronger, more impactful organization—one that continues to grow with intention and confidence.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Music Academy of Kansas City is dedicated to one clear mission: providing exceptional music education that shapes both artists and people. At its core, MAKC specializes in high-quality private instruction across piano, strings, voice, guitar, woodwinds, and chamber music. What truly sets the academy apart is its unwavering commitment to excellence—beginning with its faculty. Every instructor is a highly trained professional with advanced degrees and real-world performance experience, ensuring students receive teaching of the highest caliber.
That standard shows in the results. MAKC students have performed on world stages including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, and have earned recognition in local, state, and international competitions. These achievements are a source of deep pride, yet they represent only part of the story.
What the academy values most is the transformation that happens beyond the notes. Through music, students learn perseverance, creativity, discipline, confidence, and the joy of expressing themselves with purpose. MAKC believes these life values are just as important as technical skill—and that great teaching can help young people carry them far beyond the practice room.
Looking ahead, the academy is preparing to expand its impact even further by launching scholarships for talented students who need support to access high-quality music education. This next step reflects the same belief that has guided MAKC from the beginning: that every student who is ready to grow deserves the opportunity to do so.
In a city full of options, the Music Academy of Kansas City stands out for its combination of artistic excellence, exceptional faculty, and a genuine commitment to developing both outstanding musicians and thoughtful, resilient young people.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to the Music Academy of Kansas City is providing high-level musical education that every child deserves.
There is an extraordinary amount of talent in the Kansas City area. Too often, that talent goes underdeveloped simply because families lack access to consistent, excellent instruction. MAKC exists to close that gap. The academy’s focus is on delivering rigorous, professional-level teaching so that young musicians can grow to their full potential—whether they are just beginning or already performing at a high level.
This is why the academy is intentional about the quality of its faculty and the standards it maintains. And it is why the next step—offering scholarships for talented students who need support—feels so important. The goal is simple and ambitious at the same time: to reach more of the remarkable young musicians already present in this community and give them the education they deserve.In the end, what matters most is making sure that talent in the Kansas City area is not limited by circumstance, but given every opportunity to flourish.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.musicacademykc.com and www.kcycm.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicacademykc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicacademykc
- Youtube: @MusicAcademyKC
