Staff Reports
The Tonawanda News
— —
By day, she’s a music teacher. By night, she’s a rocker.
During the school year, North Tonawanda native Maria Aurigema shares her passion with students as an instrumental music teacher in the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District.
Now that school is out for summer the 13-year teaching veteran has more time to perform for a variety of well-known summer events and share the stage with some pretty big names in music. The blues guitarist is scheduled to perform as the opening act for headliner Credence Clearwater Revisited at Artpark’s popular “Tuesday in the Park” concert series at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“It will be exciting to perform in front of the likes of 20,000 people and share a stage with a musical institution like CCR. I’m looking forward to providing people with a great show of great blues,” said Aurigema, who is no stranger to performing in front of huge crowds. She has performed in years past as the opening act for other musical giants such as Steppenwolf, Blue Oyster Cult and Little Feat.
During the school year, she’s busy educating students on string, brass, woodwind and percussion instruments four days a week at Holmes Elementary School and one day at Hoover Elementary School. Her summer is booked with numerous concerts at venues across Western New York, including a performance at Canal Fest at 7 p.m. Friday.
For Aurigema, performing on stage at area venues is an extension of her efforts in the classroom. “I love teaching. It is incredibly fulfilling to teach a child the power of music,” she said.
“Playing professionally helps me in the classroom. Students know how passionate I am about music and I always remind them that music is not just a ‘special’ class but a job that requires dedication and passion. These kids are the next generation of musicians from Buffalo. That gives me great pride,” Aurigema added.
Her musical journey began at about the same age as her students at Holmes and Hoover Elementary School are. Aurigema began guitar lessons at the age of 8 and flute lessons at age 9.
Her family owned the famous DeGraff Mansion, where she was influenced by the many musicians and entertainers from the old Melody Fair who would visit after performing there. She performed in all middle and high school musical ensembles and was the field commander for the 1987 champion Lumberjack Marching Band and became the first female “All-State” jazz guitarist.
In addition to spending the past 13 years teaching, Aurigema has built quite a blues following throughout the region and even across the border, in Ontario.
Her first released album titled “Take Me” features nine original songs. A second album with 14 new tracks of original work will be released soon.
“I have been very fortunate in my music career to write and perform mostly original music. What a blessing it is to create art. People seem to forget that the popular music and art they enjoy now was once original and at the forefront of its time,” Aurigema said.
Maria’s latest CD is available at her performances or through her website www.mariaaurigema.com. It can also be downloaded from iTunes.
