Alia Ann Sheya
Alia Sheya was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Alia is now an out of state student attending the University of Kentucky as a special education major focusing in MSD for children with severe mental and physical disabilities with a minor in Autism research. Alia's passion for working with special needs students started when she met a boy in her high school named Jeremy who had Down Syndrome. They started a strong friendship that continues to this day. Jeremy is Alia's inspiration and motivation to work hard in school as well as her reminder to love a little more and to judge a little less. Alia is also heavily influenced by jazz music, especially jazz of the 1920's through 50's area. Alia grew up listening to Bessie Smith records and Billie Holiday that she believes is the heart and soul of jazz even by today's standards. Alia hopes to one day start her own special needs school that can use jazz as a form of music therapy for children on the autism spectrum and other severe disabilities.
|