Alana Maenad is a singer, dj, electronic musician, and seamstress from Charlotte, NC living in NYC.
Alana completed her undergraduate studies at Furman University in Theatre Arts and Music in 2020. There, she studied vocal performance with Dr. Bruce Schoonmaker and Dr. Alison Trainer, and studied acting with Maegan Azar. At Furman, she received theatrical design and production training with Margaret Caterisano and Rhett Bryson. Her undergraduate studies laid the foundation for the multidimensional path her artistic career has taken. Furman Theatre’s generalized approach to theatre education, along with Alana’s wide palate for music from romantic to avant-garde to r&b to house, has allowed her to find insights from a broad variety of sources and breathed life into each project she undertakes.
Alana in November 2021, photographed by Lyra Bradley
Reflections of Self, a devised performance
In 2018, Alana travelled to Arezzo, Italy to study at the Accademia dell’ Arte. There, Alana studied devising with Dory Sibley and Leigh Fondakowski, renowned playwright and head writer of The Laramie Project. This training was pivotal for Alana’s artistic aspirations in its profound effect on her approach to storytelling.
In Italy, Alana received voice lessons from soprano and early music specialist Jill Feldman, as well as coaching in Italian with pianist Marta Cencini. This focused, historically informed education in style and culture deepened Alana’s passion for exacting accuracy in performance.
„Ich leb’ allein in meinem Himmel, in meinem Lieben, in meinem Lied.“
Friedrich Rückert
My Artistic Philosophy
I have always been a wearer-of-many-hats. Coming from a theatrical background, I am inspired by the scenographic tradition and artists like Adolphe Appia and Edward Gordon Craig. I am equally drawn to the Regietheater, and have been heavily influenced over the course of my career by the work of Robert Wilson. Devised theater has also deeply influenced my approach to art, and the work of Tectonic Theater Project and Double Edge Theatre remain at the forefront of my mind. Over the years, my artistic focus has shifted from the stage to concert music and nightlife. Nonetheless, my approach to music - be it DJing, Lieder, or live electronic music - retains this fixation on storytelling and on a durational approach to energetic and cathartic release.
2021, Alana performs as Rodisbe in Antonio Sartorio’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto under director Dennis Whitehead Darling and conductor Gary Thor Wedow
Where is Alana now…
In 2022, Alana completed her studies with Daniel Teadt at Carnegie Mellon University. She completed her graduate studies with the recital, Fremde in Geheimnis: Artists in Exile in collaboration with pianist BJ Miller. Since then, Alana has taken up the moniker “maenad” and moved to New York City, where her career in nightlife has blossomed. She has built a reputation as a diva with a talent for sustaining and manipulating energy on the dance floor. Her sets exude joy and are always grounded in deep care for the body and soul. She plays regularly at Animal (BK) and as a duo FEMALE with Zeigler. Together, they recently began throwing Hysteria at Bossa Nova Civic Club, featuring music charged with feminine emotionality and promising diva derangement for your delight.
