Mike Bell
Her love of the arts inspired by her musical family, Maria’s performing career began as a child when she was cast in the exceptional children’s chorus for Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver! and the 25th Anniversary Tour of Les Misérables. The two experiences were huge inspirations for her to pursue a career in music.
This year, Maria officially became a Student Scholar with Ex Cathedra Choir, founded and conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore OBE. She has given yearly lunchtime recitals in Winchester Cathedral since 2022, accompanied by Nicholas Salwey. Last Easter, she was the soprano soloist in Bach’s St John Passion with Buckingham Choral Society, later returning for the role of Mabel in Pirates of Penzance. Maria's opera credits include 1st Spirit in Die Zauberflöte (Hurn Court Opera); Fox Cub, The Cunning Little Vixen; Sylvie, The Letter From Under the Door (Opera Scenes); Chorus, Cendrillon; Anne Truelove, The Rake's Progress (Opera Scenes); Polly, Die Dreigroschenoper (Opera Scenes); Marguerite, Faust (Opera Scenes); Puppet Quartet, Fête Galante.
In 2021 Maria was offered a scholarship to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she studied singing with Louise Crane. Maria was one of two singers chosen from her year to compete in the Kathleen Ferrier Bursary Competition in 2023, held at the Royal Academy of Music. She has won the John Ireland Prize, alongside the 'Boulanger Trio', and second place in the Edward Brooks English Song Prize.
Later this year, Maria will be releasing an album of classical songs by 20th century British composers, with her duo partner Bianca Vancea accompanying. This will include pieces by John Ireland, Elizabeth Poston, Liza Lehmann, Arthur Bliss and Benjamin Britten.