Canadian conductor MARIA FULLER is a rising star on the international conducting scene. Hailed as an artist of "subtle control, careful focus and thorough professionalism," by The Chronicle Journal, and as "fiery and dynamic," by The Walleye Magazine, Maria demonstrates unparalleled energy and infectious joy in her music-making. Maria performs internationally as a conductor, pianist, and trumpeter, and is admired for her diversity of repertoire and breadth of accomplishments. She is also an acclaimed vocal coach and collaborative pianist, an award-winning composer, and sought after orchestral arranger. 
 

Maria's career in conducting began in 2019, at the time that she was awarded the David Effron Conducting Fellowship at the renowned Chautauqua Institute, in New York, and began a two-year position as the Resident Conductor and Chorus Director of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. In that same season, she represented Canada in the inaugural La Maestra International Conducting Competition (Paris), and was subsequently invited to compete in competitions in Portugal and Turkey. For the 22/23 season, Maria joins the Women in Musical Leadership program, a fellowship through whom she assists, and guest conducts over 25 orchestras and opera companies across Canada. This season also marks the start of her role as the founding Music Director of Ammolite Opera Association in Calgary, Alberta. This fall, Maria was a finalist at the 11th Grzegorz Fitelberg International Conducting Competition, in Katowice, Poland,  winning a distinction award, and several European engagements. Maria studied conducting at CCM (College-Conservatory of Music), in Cincinnati, under the intense mentorship of Mo. Mark Gibson.  

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Last June, Maria conducted Carmen with Saskatoon Opera, where she received the following review: "Conductor Maria Fuller had the orchestra and ensemble at the best the Saskatoon Opera has seen in years." Last fall she assisted Timothy Vernon at Pacific Opera Victoria on Carmen, and Tyrone Paterson at Manitoba Opera on La Cenerentola. Last season, Fuller coached, and cover conducted the Royal Conservatory of Music production of A Little Night Music, and made debut performances with the Victoria, Kingston, and Winnipeg symphonies. This season she will assist at the National Arts Centre Orchestra, as well as at the Nova Scotia and Hamilton Symphonies, and have debut performances with the Kamloops, and Calgary orchestras. 

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Prior to conducting, Maria performed with several orchestras as soloist, pianist,  and trumpeter. She has also studied, competed and worked extensively as a solo pianist, collaborator, and opera coach. Several highlights include her album, "Great Southern Land," which was released under the Navona Recording Label with Yamaha Artist Philip Chase Hawkins, and her recording of "Der Erlkönig" with Canadian bass baritone Philippe Sly, which has made her a YouTube sensation. Often compared with the Jessye Norman and Fischer-Dieskau/Gerald Moore renditions available online, her rendition is played at major conservatories across the world. In 2016, Maria was selected as apprentice vocal coach at the Banff Centre, and in 2020 she won the keyboard placement for the  National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Her involvement with the Franz Schubert Institute and the Mozarteum has garnered her recital appearances across Austria, including at the Beethoven Haus. Maria has performed for pianist Lang-Lang, Lee Kum-Sing, André Laplanté, Julius Drake, Helmut Deutsch, and for singers Robert Holl, Barbara Bonney, Elly Ameling.

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As a composer, Maria writes for symphonic orchestra, smaller ensemble configurations, and for chorus and orchestra. Her piece for piano, trumpet and strings, "RESOLUTION"  No. 1 from Fractals, won an award at the Women Composing for Trumpet Competition in 2020, and has since been performed by several orchestras. As an arranger, Maria's orchestral holiday music is performed across Canada, including her orchestral variety pops show called: "Holiday Pops Across the World," which features 14 different countries and is sung in seven languages. 

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Maria holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano from McGill University, a Masters of Music in Piano, an Artist Diploma in Operatic Coaching, and a Masters of Music in Orchestral Conducting, from the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).

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