Maya Russell

Maya Michelle Russell is a 17-year-old artist whose music reflects courage and connection. A 2025 National YoungArts Award winner, Maya first discovered the power of songwriting when she wrote a protest song for her parents to change schools – and it worked! That moment revealed how music could move people and create change.

Maya has since become a dynamic artist across disciplines, performing on stages throughout Seattle, including the 5th Avenue Theatre, Intiman Theatre, and Teen Summer Musical; and singing the national anthem for the NFL, NHL, and NWSL. She is a two-time Starbucks “Up Next” artist and an STG “More Music” performer, once sharing the stage with Grammy Award winner Mavis Staples.

A senior at Holy Names Academy, Maya serves as co-class president and recently served as Regional “We Are One” Chair for Jack and Jill of America, championing inclusion and accessibility for youth of all abilities. She is spending her first semester at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership in South Africa, expanding her perspective on what it means to lead and change the world.

Listen to Maya’s Winning Song Below!

Our Interview With Maya

Was this the first time you entered the contest?
Yes, this was the first time I entered the contest.

How did you hear about the contest?
I heard about the contest over social media.

What inspired your work?
What inspired me was truly how I was feeling surrounding the Constitution: particularly things that were left out of it, such as any explicit mention of slavery, which I felt like should have been included. I was struck by the paradoxical nature of the Constitution, in that the nation was founded on democratic principles, but its own Constitution and policies surrounding slavery went against that. But, what also inspired me was the hope and progress that the country has made since the making of the Constitution.

What did you learn about the U.S. Constitution while creating your entry?
I learned a lot about important clauses in the Constitution such as the “necessary and proper” clause which played a huge role in American politics down the line including the debate surrounding the creation of a national bank. I also learned about the process to ratify and amend the Constitution which fascinated me.

How do you plan to spread the word this year to your peers about the importance of the U.S Constitution?
I plan to share the song with my friends, and then have a conversation about it with them. The Constitution is such an interesting topic, but sometimes people are blinded by the fact that it is a political document and assume it is boring. I hope my friends can understand how the Constitution impacts the way we all live in so many ways.

Which U.S. historical site would you like to visit?
I would love to visit Monticello because I have heard a little bit about the history and architecture, and have been extremely intrigued.

What are your career plans?
I plan to attend college in fall of 2026 and pursue a career that has to do with advocacy, leadership, and ethics. This may be through music, international relations, political science, or journalism. Overall, I hope to continue to keep music in my life one way or another while still being an advocate and promoting change.

How do you spend your free time?
I spend my free time exploring the outdoors, reading, writing songs, hanging out with friends, and spending time at home playing games, hanging out, or cooking with my family.

Why is the Constitution relevant today?
The Constitution is relevant today because the United States is constantly changing, but it’s important to remember the foundation the country stands on and part of that foundation is the Constitution. The intention of the Constitution is to ensure that no one is above the law, and that the people of the United States can live harmoniously.