An American with a Russian soul, Maria Ioudenitch was born in Balashov, Russia, and moved with her family to Kansas City when she was three years old. Her teachers have included Gregory Sandomirsky, Ben Sayevich, then Pamela Frank and Shmuel Ashkenasi at the Curtis Institute of Music. Maria recently graduated with her Master’s from the New England Conservatory studying with Miriam Fried, and is now pursuing her Artist Diploma at NEC, continuing her studies with Miriam.

This year, Maria received First Prizes at the Ysaye International Music Competition, the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition, and the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition.

Recent solo performances have taken place with the NDR Radiophilharmonie, Camerata Bern, Lithuania Chamber Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Israel Camerata, Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.

Recent chamber music engagements include performances in Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile with Roberto Diaz, acclaimed violist and President of Curtis Institute, and performances in Chicago, New York, Connecticut, and Boston with renowned violinist and pedagogue Miriam Fried.

Maria was appointed Concertmaster of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra for 2016-2017, ending the season with a tour through Europe, featuring Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben.

Maria has also taken part in multiple summer festivals and academies, such as Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, the International Summer Academy at Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, the International Music Academy in the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont, and she also regularly performs for Music For Food.

Apart from classical music, Maria adores jazz and visual art.

Currently, her favorite artists are Robert Schumann (Classical), Oscar Peterson (Jazz), and Remedíos Varo (Surrealist art)!