I am Maria, I was born in 1997 in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. I am playing an instrument from the Foundation since 2017 and I am very happy about the incredible things we have done together ever since!
Throughout these years, I had amazing opportunities with this cello. I was laureate in many competitions, I toured all around Europe (and Middle East!), I played in great orchestras and had amazing opportunities, otherwise nearly impossible with my previous instrument. Everyone knows that the instrument does not make the musician better, but it certainly helps!
You can read my biography below!
I started my musical studies at the age of six with Catherine Strynckxs at Escola de Música do Conservatório Nacional in Lisbon, from 2003 to 2015. After that, I moved to The Hague to study in Michel Strauss and Jan-Ype Nota's class at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, where I did my Bachelor (2019) and Master Degree (2021). I was a member of the Nationaal Jeungd Orkest from 2018 to 2020 and also a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra since 2019. I participated in many festivals in The Netherlands, such as the Gergiev Festival, the International Music Festival in Schiermonikoog and the Muziekzomer Gerlderland. Since 2019 I am the Academist of the ASKO|Schönberg Ensemble and the New European Ensemble. As a member of the Quíron String Quartet, I am a student at the Nederlands StrijkKwartet Academie.
