Maya Wirz: From bus driver to Superstar

Ever since Susan Boyle took the world by storm after nearly winning Britain's got talent, she came second, most people believe she should have won, there hasn't been anybody else that has managed to amaze and astound us into staring at the TV open mouthed with as much shock and amazement. There have been many talent shows around the world with a similar format as the original, and every time the public turn on the TV to watch any of these shows, there is always the hope that maybe there will be someone else out there who will get us all talking.  Well wait no longer. Switzerland has found it's very own Susan Boyle. Maya Wirz, 49, is on her way to being an international Superstar. And for very good reason. She has the most amazing voice. Her first step into the world of singing started when she was 16 years old. She started to take singing lessons and by the time she was 19, she was being trained by a Hungarian coach. Over the years Maya carried on singing and then studied Opera, where she also learned some acting skills.

After attending a few interviews for singing and acting jobs, she began to realise that it was an expensive business trying to break into the world of entertainment. After a few auditions where she states that as there were more than 50 people at a time trying out for the same work, she began to get disheartened. But then her luck began to change and she was offered a role in the Phantom of the Opera in the 1990's in Basel. But obviously the money wasn't enough to make a living on, so Maya decided that she would carry on with her main job, driving buses in Liestal Northern Switzerland. She states that she practised her singing on the bus when all the passengers had left! She also took her truck test and passed, but driving a bus is still the main job that she has been doing up until the present.

After Phantom finished, Maya sank into depression and gave up singing for more than 8 years. But in 2005 her father died. While he was ill he told her that she shouldn't give up her dream, and said that she should start singing again. She had too much talent that shouldn't be wasted. Maya decided then that she wouldn't waste any more time and returned to singing. To get back her confidence and learn how to perform in front of an audience, she started to sing at weddings, nursing homes and other events. Eventually, after a few years practising her talent, she decided it was time to try her luck on the TV programme Switzerland's Got Talent.

After watching Susan Boyle, Maya realised that that Susan's motto was correct. Never give up, it doesn't matter what you look like, or how old you are, someday, as long as you keep trying, you will get there in the end. Maya decided that she wouldn't give up her day job as a bus driver just yet, even though her popularity will surely take her far away from the life that she is living now. Always cautious, Maya says that even if she only goes onto making a few CDs or a couple of TV appearances she will be happy.

Earlier this year, Maya went on to win Switzerland's Got Talent. I am sure that nobody will be surprised to find that her life as a bus driver is probably over! This wonderfully talented lady has earned her place in the singing world.

I hope we will get to see her on English TV very soon.