I was born in the United States, where ancestry is often a casual identity marker for long-assimilated immigrants. Even as early as elementary school, peers will ask, “What are you?” The expected answer isn’t “human” or “American,” but rather something like “Polish and Italian.” It is a unique shorthand for heritage, even as many of us have no tangible connection to the cultures we name.
It wasn’t until I began traveling as an adult that I realized this approach doesn’t translate to the rest of the world. Outside the U.S., when people ask where I’m from, the answer is always “The United States.” There’s no question. And let me tell you, I am so (Northern) American when I leave the States. The idea of telling someone I’m “Italian and German” would feel absurd because those labels are tied to cultures I didn’t grow up with or understand beyond the surface-level knowledge any American might have.
This contrast became even more apparent when I moved to New Zealand, a place where ancestry is deeply interwoven with identity. Here, ancestry isn’t just a casual icebreaker; it’s a foundational part of the social and cultural fabric.
In New Zealand, introductions often begin with a pepeha or mihi—a ritualized naming of the people and places that hold significance to you. This can include tracing your ancestry back to the waka (boat) your family arrived on, the maunga (mountain) and awa (river) near which they settled, and the whānau (family name) and iwi (tribe) to which they belong. It’s a practice steeped in connection, history, politics, respect, and more.
But for someone like me—an American who knows little of my ancestry and has never felt so connected to a specific place—it was confounding. Trying to relay my own pepeha when I first arrived felt inauthentic. I didn’t know how to bridge the gap between this tradition and my own lack of connection to land, water, or heritage. I didn’t come here via waka (boat) in the traditional sense, and saying “Air NZ” in a formal introduction feels like something out of a bad comedy sketch. I was confronted by how disconnected I felt—not just from my adopted home, but from my own roots.
It took time to reconcile this, but I’ve finally started building a mental bridge between these cultural norms and my own truth. Music is the vehicle that has carried me through life, across continents, and to my current life in New Zealand. Music is my waka. And though this is not a traditional answer, I hope that it communicates my truth in a way that honors the spirit of communication and connection.
This is of renewed importance to me because I have recently received permanent residency in New Zealand. My journey here is more than just a passing chapter—I am making a conscious commitment to this place and the people who have embraced me. It is both an honor and a responsibility, one that deepens my sense of belonging and purpose.
I still don’t feel a strong connection to my specific lineage. But I’ve found myself growing in gratitude for the concept of ancestry as a whole. Every road I drive on, every school I’ve attended, every community I’ve joined—these are all built on the labor of those who came before me. Once I consciously considered all the mental, emotional, and physical effort that goes into the people, places, and things with which I engage every day, something clicked for me. Ancestors contribute to the world in such a way that those who come after them have the privilege (and sometimes misfortune) of never knowing a time when they didn’t have what they have—be that physical or mental infrastructure. This recognition of their enduring impact has transformed the way I think about ancestry—and my role in shaping the future.
This shift in perspective has brought me a new sense of purpose. While I can’t look back and feel connected to my own lands, I can at least look to my community. While I can’t look back and feel connected to my own ancestry, I can at least look forward. I can strive to be a good ancestor—to contribute in ways that make life easier, safer, and more fulfilling for future generations. My pepeha will honor the journey, the work of those who came before me, and the commitment to carrying that forward into the future.
Perhaps one day my waka will bring me to the lands of my ancestors, and I will feel a connection there that I have never felt before. Until then, I draw meaning from the bridges I’ve built through music, gratitude, and the communities that have welcomed me. The place I was raised—metro Detroit, USA—and the place I live now—Whangārei, Aotearoa—are tied in my heart, where there is also a special place for San Francisco. And now, with the certainty of belonging that residency grants, I look forward to the journey ahead. To the places and people I have yet to meet, to the contributions I have yet to make. This is my home, and I am here to stay.
Musically yours, Maggie
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the tangata whenua, Pākehā, and fellow migrants who have supported me in this journey of understanding belonging, ancestry, and place. Your generosity—in sharing your stories, perspectives, and aroha—has helped me navigate what it means to stand here with intention, respect, and gratitude.
Thank you for welcoming me, for challenging me, and for allowing me to be part of this ongoing conversation. It is a privilege to learn, to contribute, and to grow alongside you.
Ngā mihi nui, with love and appreciation.
🌿 Updates & Announcements | March 2025 🌿
📅 Upcoming Gigs
🎭 April 17th – Maggie Cocco’s Science for Sociopaths feat. Sculptor Jo Brooks 📍 Hundertwasser Arts Centre, Whangārei 🎟️ Tickets on sale soon!
🎤 Upcoming Events
🍻 March 16th | St Patrick’s Day Strum & Sing-A-Long 📍 Beer & Loathing, Whangarei 🕢 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🍀 March 17th | St Patrick’s Day Drop In Choir 📍 ONEONESIX, Whangarei 🕢 6:00 PM
🕉️ March 28th | Kirtan at YogaOn: Music-Based Meditation 📍 YogaOn By Jac 🕗 7:00 – 8:30 PM
📀 Project Updates
🎵 “Like A Moth” Album – Physical Release
📦 CD Orders Shipped! Hopefully you have receieved your CD! CDs were produced in Italy (fancy!) and shipped in January. Reach out if you have not recieved yours!
🚢 Vinyl Production Update: IT’S HERE!!! The test vinyl has arrived for me to approve in New Zealand. We’ve tested them out with the crew and given the go ahead for the final part of the production process to commence!
🌍 Europe Tour 2025
We are actively working to finalize a viable tour route for Europe 2025. However, due to the demands of managing recent events, there is a real possibility that we may need to roll this over into 2026.
For now, that burner is still hot, and we’ll keep you updated.
🎭 Science for Sociopaths – Hundertwasser Museum
Exciting news! I’ve been invited to curate a Science for Sociopaths multimedia show at the Hundertwasser Museum in Whangārei. This marks a major step toward my vision of Science for Sociopaths as a touring performance art project.
Collaborating with Jo Brooks, a talented clay artist, we’re crafting an immersive, tactile experience. Confirmed date: April 17th, 2025. Tickets will be on sale soon!
🎶 Student Sponsorship Spotlight
Exciting news! We have a returning scholarship student:
✨ Christian – A foster student in the Detroit Health System, singing with the renowned Detroit Youth Choir! Christian came to me via Girls Rock Detroit and is currently taking two online hourly lessons per week. Subsidizing Christian’s lessons costs $400/month.
🎵 Seeking Sponsors! Maggie Cocco Music is seeking sponsors for two differently-abled adult students with limited income:
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Tony – Studies for one hour per week. A passionate singer like his father before him, Tony is preparing to pass his Grade 5 Music Theory Exams. Subsidy needed: $30/week.
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Joey – Studies for one hour per week. Joey has already created three albums and is now working on his first album of all-original music. Subsidy needed: $30/week.
Finances should never be a barrier to living your best life! Maggie Cocco Music offers Pay What You Can services to ensure quality music education is accessible to all.
💡 No student is ever turned away due to lack of sponsorship—if sponsorship isn’t secured, I donate my time to ensure they still receive their lessons. If multiple people donate for the same student, additional funds will go toward supporting other students in need or expanding resources to enhance their learning experience.
🔹 Support This Mission: 📩 Zelle/PayPal: maggiecocco@hotmail.com 💳 NZ Bank Transfer: Maggie Cocco Music | 38-9022-0416841-00 🎵 Become a Sustainer: Patreon
Note: Maggie Cocco Music is not a registered charity—just a charitable person committed to making music education accessible to all. Your support goes directly toward providing lessons and resources for students in need.
🤍 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 🤍