For Queens’ Miya Bass, competing on NBC’s “The Voice” has been quite an incredible ride — and the season has barely started.
A Jamaica native, 29-year-old Bass was following in her family’s footsteps and training to become a full-time NYPD officer. In her final semester, however, she made a bold decision: leave the legacy behind and pursue a career in music.
During her career, Bass was a dance and music instructor at an arts program for the Sports and Arts School Foundation and later a program director for the New York Junior Tennis League. In the past year, Bass quit her job to sing with Funktion11, an 11-piece funk band, while also returning to college, and eventually auditioning for the NBC hit show “The Voice.”
Following her blind audition, where she performed “Issues” by Julia Michaels, Bass landed a spot on Team Adam, led by Adam Levine, frontman for the Grammy-winning band Maroon 5. Once the blind auditions were completed, she was moving on to the Battle Rounds, where her fate as a contestant was left in the open.
On the Monday, March 26, episode of “The Voice,” Bass went head-to-head in the Battle Round with her teammate Drew Cole, singing a duet of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” It was in this round that Bass and Cole would be singing to save their spot on Levine’s team.
“I loved the song choice,” Bass said. “I love singing any classic, and the arrangement fit well with my style. I really enjoyed singing it.”
However, following the performance, Levine ultimately decided that Cole was the winner of the battle. Bass, grateful for her time on the show, thought her time was up.
However, she didn’t predict what happened next: Alicia Keys, R&B sensation and leader of Team Alicia, stole Bass from Team Adam, securing her spot as a contestant on the show.
“I thought I was at the end of my road. It was a great opportunity,” Bass said. “It was a shocker when Alicia stole me. I’m so appreciative for the opportunity to continue with the show.”
Now that she’s on Team Alicia, Bass will have knowledge from two artists who have two very different sounds, but ultimately have the same passion for their craft.
“I think they’ll be similar overall because of their artistry. They’re both amazing,” Bass said. “I think the differences in their coaching styles will come down to their musicality. They are in very different genres, and Alicia will be able to offer her style in R&B.”
Even though she won’t be on Team Adam anymore, she is taking what she’s learned under him on her new journey on Team Alicia, especially learning to stay true to yourself while singing.
“I’ve learned to be myself, no matter what song is selected for me,” Bass said. “Whenever I’m performing by myself or someone else, it’s important to be yourself.”
