Snake Charmer Maya and her lucky charm help Nashville’s Venom make Saturday’s PIFL championship

Talk about a successful first season! The Nashville Venom entered the Professional Indoor Football League in 2014, compiled the league’s best record, advanced to the championship game, and now will host the PIFL championship on Saturday night against Lehigh Valley.

Same goes for the Venom’s dance team, the Snake Charmers. They are instantly successful with the guidance and leadership of their Coordinator Sissy Brown, a veteran of the NFL sidelines plus AFL experience including being selected for the AFL Dream Team.

In addition, Snake Charmer Maya is in her first season of pro cheerleading, and is a part of this inaugural success on the field and on the sidelines. Maya is a product of Nashville, a college student, and enjoying this first taste of the pro dance experience. Maya shared with UltimateCheerleaders where she inherited her cheer/dance genes from, her secret talents, and why someone should Say Yes to Maya to have her help pick out a wedding dress.

Maya is originally from Nashville and loves her hometown. She has seen the burst of the city of Nashville’s growth and the increased local happenings even during her young life. And now she gets to see all happenings surrounding the brand new Venom up close.

Maya began dancing at age three because her mom wanted her to take dance, “and I ended up loving it” explains Maya. “I’ve always been kind of shy, and dance is a way to let me express myself, and be me. “

And having mom around made things easier when little Maya first danced in public. “It was my first recital and I was three,” Maya recalls. “It wasn’t as scary because it was a ‘Mom and Me’ dance class, so my mom was on stage, too.”

Maya’s mom was a college cheerleader herself, so Maya received the dance/cheer genes from mom. Maya was a cheerleader in middle school, high school, and in college at Tennessee State. But Maya says her biggest achievement in dance thus far is making the Snake Charmers. “My proudest moment in dance would be making this team. This is the biggest thing I’ve done in dance so far, and I just want to keep going.” And what did Maya’s mom think of it? “She was really excited,” reports Maya.

Working with such an experienced pro cheerleader like Titans veteran Sissy as her coach provides Maya with a chance to see what the world of pro dance is like. “I wasn’t quite ready to try out for Titans yet, and I thought it would just be good opportunity to try it, get my feet wet, and see if I like it,” Maya explains. “I’ve learned a lot. It’s a really good experience.”

Maya is a college student, majoring in Business, with a concentration in supply chain management. And Maya’s dream job is a true marriage of all of her interests. “I do know I want to do something with weddings, like being a wedding planner or bridal consultant,” Maya says. So what does the Say Yes to the Dress fan find appealing about weddings? “They’re just really happy and a good time, to be with family and friends coming together. I really like that.”

So let’s say Maya was assisting a bride choose that perfect dress (perhaps a new show, Say Hi-ya to Maya). How would Maya approach helping someone with this huge decision? Maya answers, “I’d first try to see what their vision is, and I would try to the best of my ability, helping them find what they want and also making sure it’s in their price range, because you never want a bride to find a dress that she can’t buy.”

And fashion is one of Maya’s hobbies. “I actually like fashion a lot,” Maya says. “I’m learning to sew.” Her interests are also shared in her family, as one of her cousins is a designer for Kohl’s for their children’s line.

Maya’s other hidden talents include singing. In addition to singing in her church choir, Maya’s go-to karaoke song is Usher’s, “U Got it Bad.” So would Maya like to transition to singer/dancer? “Nah, I’m pretty content with the dancing,” answers Maya.

So, as a “Snake Charmer,” some people are quite phobic about snakes; what are things that make Maya a bit fearful? “Spiders,” reports Maya. “I wouldn’t say exactly fearless, but I’m not afraid of snakes.” Does dancing ever make Maya nervous? “Yeah, I always get nervous right before, and then once I’m out there, I’m all right.”

And as far as being a “Charmer,” does Maya have any good luck charms? “Yes, actually it’s this ring,” as Maya shows a ring hanging on a chain around her neck. “My best friend gave it to me in high school, so I’ve had it ever since my sophomore year of high school.”

Well, Maya and her good luck charm certainly have aided the Venom move on to the championship game of the PIFL. And it appears like it is only the beginning of a successful period for the Venom, Snake Charmers, and Maya. For the short term, Maya plans to beat he heat this summer with some swimming, and after college, Maya would like to travel and see more of the world. This is really just the start of Maya’s life journey and perhaps, if we are lucky, also just the beginning of her pro dance journey. With talent and poise, we hope this charming rookie Snake Charmer graces the sidelines for many years to come, as part of a charmed life.

Thanks to Maya for spending time with UltimateCheerleaders prior to the home game with Trenton, and also to Sissy for all her assistance, plus all the help and hospitality of the Venom organization and the Snake Charmers. More photos of Maya from the Trenton game are at this link. Good luck in the championship game against Lehigh Valley!