A CAPPELLA
In 2022, Maisah performed on stage with a full microphone and production setup for the very first time. With only a 15-minute soundcheck beforehand, the group stepped into unfamiliar territory, having never sung together on microphones simultaneously. This moment marked a major milestone, not just for Maisah, but for EQ Blu as a whole. Performing with a live mix directed back at you requires a completely different level of control and awareness, and the ensemble rose to the challenge with remarkable adaptability.
That performance helped place EQ Blu firmly on the radar at Murray State University, solidifying the group as one of the department’s most recognized and successful ensembles.
In this video, Maisah is 19 years old, performing alongside fellow soloist Cadence Birdsong during her sophomore year. It was also her first year incorporating choreography into her performances, adding a new layer of complexity and artistry to her work.
By 2024, Maisah was in her senior year of college and her fourth year with EQ Blu. When the department gave them the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level, it felt like a meaningful recognition of everything they had put in. The performance itself was entirely student-led. One arrangement by a fellow member, every transition, every detail was created by the people on stage.
They spent months preparing, often rehearsing late into the night, balancing the demands of school, extracurriculars, and everything else that came with the end of a school year.
When their name was called for third place, the reaction was immediate: excitement, relief, and pride all at once. It was the highest placement that didn’t advance to the next round, and for a group already stretched thin, it felt like the perfect outcome. It was the perfect way to end Maisah’s collegiate career and a memorable one at that.