Mae Valerio is a 13 years old singer, songwriter and guitar player - and she is "The Voice of Hamden!" Soon to graduate eighth grade, Mae will be attending the Educational Center for Arts next Fall. Music has always been a major part of her life. At age 9 (after 4 years of piano & violin lessons) she picked up a guitar and began writing her own music. Under the teachings of Shawn Persinger, Mae began learning/playing Beatles songs and fell in love with the music. She had mostly performed for friends + family and on her front porch for any willing audience walking their dog. This past January she competed in - and won - the The Voice of Hamden competition. This will be Mae's first solo performance on a professional stage.