BYUH student and mother shares the importance of striving for one’s passions despite challenges or self-doubt
Mia Malit-Cruz captivated the crowd and offered a glimpse into her journey as a student, wife and mother through her performance in her senior vocal recital, held at the McKay Auditorium. With her unwavering dedication and ability to find balance among multiple roles, Malit-Cruz said, “Righteous passions are always worth pursuing.”
Upbringing and senior recital
Malit-Cruz, a senior majoring in vocal performance from the Philippines, elicited excitement from her friends, family and fellow students who gathered to witness her musical journey. “I’ve been singing since I can remember,” she said, “and my parents enrolled me in pop voice lessons when I was 7.” However, she said she did not begin singing classically until she was 16 years old.
She said her musical style leans towards classical, with a preference for opera arias and songs in Italian, German, French and Filipino. Malit-Cruz said her personal life and experiences play an important role in the interpretation and internalization of the music she embraces. Malit-Cruz said among the pieces she performs, two songs hold particular significance to her: George Frideric Handel’s “Piangero la Sorte Mia,” or “I Will Mourn My Fate,” and Clara Schumann’s “Er ist gekommen in Sturm und Regen,” or “He Comes in Storm and Rain.”
Malit-Cruz explained Handel’s song represents Cleopatra’s grief over her untimely death, which resonates with her own moments of vulnerability and the need to mourn in order to move on. “Although I am not currently mourning over the same fate, there have definitely been times in my life when everything felt out of my control, and mourning was the first step in order to move forward,” she said.
Malit-Cruz said she aspires to leave a profound impact on her listeners. She said she believes her music serves as a reminder to individuals that they possess the ability to achieve anything they set their hearts and minds to. Malit-Cruz shared her firm belief life is too short to harbor self-doubt and neglect the pursuit of one’s passions.
Her harmonious voice echoed through the auditorium to those who witnessed her performance. Mason Bitter, a freshman majoring in psychology from California, was among those who attended her recital. “I loved her performance,” he said, “and she is very talented and gifted.” He said he is musically inclined and appreciates music and talented individuals. “It was an amazing experience,” he added.
Vanessa Bahin, a freshman majoring in elementary education from Canada, was also present during Malit-Cruz’s recital. “It was beautiful, and her voice is magical,” she said. “She’s really gifted, and I could feel the spirit throughout her performance.” Malit-Cruz’s performance, she continued, was not only amazing but also touched the hearts of everybody present, including hers.
Malit-Cruz’s performance featured pianist Stacy McCarrey, an adjunct faculty member of the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts and also a number of students who accompanied her in various pieces. Ryo Oshiro, a community member from Laie and a bass singer who participated in Malit-Cruz’s performance, said, “It was an honor to be a part of her recital and to watch it as well.
“Her personality is very lovely and friendly, and we always hang out after class,” he added. “It will be a sad time for the [BYU–Hawaii] ohana when she leaves.” He also expressed his admiration for her ability to remember several of her recital songs in other languages and applauded her for a job well done.
Upbringing and senior recital
Malit-Cruz said she prepared for her performance simply through practicing. “There is no other way.” She noted as she practices, she investigates the composer’s intentions, finds out what a piece means to her and considers how she would respond if it were her in the scenario and circumstances she’s singing about. “During live performances, I try to connect with my audience authentically. … I want to offer my entire raw, vulnerable self, and my audible voice is just a medium for that,” Malit-Cruz explained.
As a music major, Malit-Cruz actively participates in the Ho’olōkahi Chamber Choir. She said it had a performance of Mozart’s “Requiem” in Honolulu in May with the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra. She said she was also invited to sing and perform at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu in celebration of Philippines Independence Day on June 12. She will also be guest-performing in BYUH student Aubree Whiting’s upcoming junior voice recital on June 14, she said.
Balancing multiple roles
With her schedule brimming with exciting artistic endeavors, Malit-Cruz said balancing multiple roles has never been easy for her. “Every day is filled with a lot of planning, communicating, acting and lots and lots of praying,” she said. Though living thousands of miles away from their families, Malit-Cruz said her and her loved ones feel the constant support, love and prayers that serve as a foundation for their endeavors. Despite her busy schedule, she said, “We always make time for our families, and in turn, they always make time for us.”
“Embracing the roles of a wife and mother has unleashed a whole new world of emotions and thoughts for me,” said Malit-Cruz. She said balancing numerous responsibilities comes with challenges, particularly when unforeseen circumstances arise. “It only takes one loose screw for a machine to fall apart,” she quoted. She said she reevaluates her priorities during such setbacks, placing the well-being of her loved ones above all else.
Motivation
In balancing multiple roles, Malit-Cruz acknowledged the feeling women sometimes have to put themselves last and the guilt that often accompanies prioritizing personal needs over those of their spouses or children. However, she said, “If we realize that our happiness directly affects our family’s happiness, it would be easier for us to allow ourselves to do the things that make us happy and healthy.” She encouraged women to embrace their strength, power and intelligence, emphasizing the world needs their influence now more than ever.
Within the challenges and triumphs of her musical career, she said she cherishes the support of her husband, who stands by her side, patiently listening to her list of goals and attending all of her performances. Malit-Cruz said he exemplifies unwavering support and takes on the responsibilities of a loving father when she needs time for rehearsals.
Malit-Cruz said her favorite part of any performance is when her husband and son run up to give her kisses and flowers at the end. “It makes me feel loved, appreciated and validated. It is my hope that as my son grows up seeing his mom perform on stage, he will learn early in life that he can become anyone and anything he wants to be, as long as he puts the heart and effort into it,” she said
Advice
“Righteous passions are always worth pursuing,” said Malit-Cruz. She said she believes pursuing righteous passions is not only worthwhile but also aligns with her role as a light on a hill, shining her talents to uplift others and glorify her Heavenly Father. She added, “If you ever find yourself in a position where people are critical of you, be the first one to see the positive in people, including yourself.”
Malit-Cruz encouraged married individuals to communicate their passions, life goals and ambitions with their spouses. She continued, “Righteous partners will always support righteous goals.”
She said she feels God wants women to have positive impacts on their families, communities and beyond. “The world needs our influence now, as it has always done since the time of Adam and Eve,” said Malit-Cruz.