Hailed as an artist of “subtle control, careful focus and thorough professionalism,” and as “fiery and dynamic,” Saskatchewan-born MARIA FULLER demonstrates unparalleled energy, and an infectious joy in her music-making. Admired for her diversity and breadth of abilities, Maria performs internationally as a conductor, pianist, trumpeter, and is also an acclaimed vocal coach, award-winning composer, and sought after arranger. 

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Fuller began conducting professionally in 2019 at the time of her appointment with the Thunder Bay Symphony. Also during 2019, she was chosen from a pool of 51 conductors to be the David Effron Conducting Fellow at the renowned Chautauqua Institute, in NY, she was chosen as one of twelve conductors selected from an international pool of 220 to represent Canada in the inaugural La Maestra International Conducting Competition in Paris, and she was selected to compete in international competitions in Portugal, and Turkey. Also in her first year as a conductor, she began to accept guest conducting appointments, built covid-videos with her own recording and video equipment (one of which was showcased on CBC National Radio), and built a repertoire of holiday arrangements for orchestra, which has now grown into her holiday pops show: “Holiday Pops Around the World,” in which she conducts as well as performs on trumpet, and piano. The show has been endorsed by the renown Principal Pops conductor of the Dallas, Detroit, Rochester and Oregon Symphonies, Mo. Jeff Tyzik.

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Maria is currently on the roster of conducting fellows with Tapestry Opera in Toronto, through whom she is managed and serves as guest, assistant and cover conductor for 25 orchestras and opera companies across Canada. 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 was the Assistant Conductor for Timothy Vernon at Pacific Opera Victoria on Carmen, and for Tyrone Paterson at Manitoba Opera on La Cenerentola. This season, Fuller looks forward to her Shaw Festival debut, as well as to her debuts with the Victoria, Kingston, and Winnipeg symphonies. This season she will assist at the Pacific Victoria Opera, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, as well as at the Nova Scotia and Hamilton Symphonies. 

 

At the piano, Ms. Fuller is a two-time laureate of the FCMF National Finals, of the CMC National Finals, and of the CFMTA National Finals in Canada. More recently, Maria has soloed with the Longview Symphony, TX, Cincinnati Ballet, the CCM Philharmonia and the CCM Chamber Players. As an orchestral pianist, Fuller has performed with the Kentucky, Cincinnati, Longview, Richmond, Regina, and Thunder Bay symphonies. In 2010, she was selected as the principal pianist for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. As a chamber musician, Fuller has performed throughout Europe and North America and was a semi-finalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Competition in Indiana, and in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition in Missouri with her piano trio, Geistrio.  Maria performs art song, and enjoys collaborating on recitals and projects. Last January, she and American trumpeter Chase Hawkins released a CD together: “Great Southern Land,” under the PARMA Navona Recording Label. 

 

For three consecutive years, Maria won the brass title in the Saskatchewan Provincial Finals, and has received praise throughout North America for her work on trumpet. She has played with the Regina, and Thunder Bay symphonies, and other regional ensembles. Most recently she wrote a piece for trumpet, piano and strings, titled “Fractals No. 1,” which she conducted from the piano at the Chautauqua Institute this summer with trumpeter, Aaron DuBois. In addition to composing, Maria is becoming increasingly recognized for her choral and orchestral arrangements.

 

On invitation, Maria’s conducting career began in the form of a third Masters degree, at CCM under the intense mentorship of Mo. Mark Gibson. In her first two years as a conductor, Maria received overwhelming acknowledgement. Amidst learning the craft, she was invited to audition with the Edmonton, Vancouver, Thunder Bay and Winnipeg Symphonies. She also received an invitation to attend the Hochschule in Munich, and to conduct at Des Moines Opera, Saskatoon Opera, the Regina Symphony, Saskatoon Symphony, and South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra. Maria holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano from McGill University, a MM in Piano, an Artist Diploma in Operatic Coaching, and a MM in Orchestral Conducting at CCM.