About Me!
Benjamin Joseph Maley was born and raised in San Diego, California with his older sister and parents. His parents both have their bachelors in theatre from UCLA so his life has been steeped in the arts since he can remember. Ben has grown up doing musicals, however his affinity for music remained on the forefront of his drive to participate in the spectrum of the arts. Ben partook in five years of private piano lessons under an accomplished family friends, Bethany Myers. He later stopped, finding more interest in guitar and percussion. Ben was able to take both a guitar class and, joining his middle school jazz band, playing percussion, spurred his interest in both even more.
When Ben entered high school, he was ready to expand his skill even more. At his local church, he began playing drum set and djembe for the worship services at his youth group and congregation each week. As he continued to play, his skills were honed further, and Ben joined the adults as a designated church worship leader, music director, and team builder.
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By the end of his time in high school, Ben had played in Disneyland and California Adventure, earned the title of Band President and Percussion section leader under Patrick Doerr. Ben played in and was first chair of percussion for his high school districts audition-only Honor Band, played in the pit orchestra for his high school's production of Bye, Bye Birdie, and played both bass and drum set for jazz band. Ben was awarded a special Varsity Letter of the Arts for his work and accomplishment in music and grade point average.
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Mr. Maley not not only excelled in his musical ability but also in his academics. Benjamin graduated with Honors, a California Scholarship Federation membership, and Associated Student Body life membership. He maintained above a 4.0 GPA all four years of his high school career, passing all of his Accelerated, Honors, and AP classes with A's. He passed his SAT and ACT tests, getting commendable scores, including a Harvard entrance-level English score on his ACT. During his senior year, Ben was the only student chosen by his band director to be an assistant teacher at the local middle school.
Upon graduating his alma-mater, Ben was accepted to Biola University's music conservatory as a double major in Music in Worship and Music Education with an emphasis in Percussion. He is currently under the private instruction of Brent Kuszyk who, among many other impressive credentials, is currently a member of the Pacific Symphony's percussion section.
While Ben has continuously been rewarded for his hard work, he gives all the glory to his Creator and Father, Jesus. He lives by wise words from men such as Martin Luther and Johann Sebastian Bach, who graciously stated that: "Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us." and how "Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul." As he learns in both his walk with Christ, and in music, Benjamin is continuously blown away how they both work in unison to make life beautiful.
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~Music is life support for this dying world.
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~Not my words but His. Not my will but His.
