Biography
Maria Overman began her studies on the violin when she was 18 months old. Her first teacher was her mother, who graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a Bachelor of Arts in violin performance and pedagogy. Maria then went on to pursue her violin studies under the instruction of various professional violinists including Mr. Marcus Talley, Mr. Ronald Patterson, Miss. Sarah Hall, and Dr. Angela Hanson; all of whom are highly distinguished teachers.
At the age of four, Maria performed America the Beautiful at the Snohomish County Ronald Reagan Memorial Service. At seven, Maria was performing works such as Corelli's Concerto Grosso, Handle's Messiah and Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations. She began her season in orchestral performance as the Concert Master of the Everett Youth Symphony's Intermezzo Orchestra, at age ten. The following year, she held the position of Concert Mistress of the Everett Youth Symphony's Junior Orchestra for the entire year, and continued on to sit Principle of the their Youth Orchestra the year after.
Maria went on to perform as Co-Principle, Principle and 1st violinist with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (S.Y.S.O.) under the baton of Maestro Stephen Rodgers Radcliffe. There she had the opportunity to perform many orchestral works such as Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, Richard Strauss' Death and Transfiguration, Maurice Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe, and Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 in E minor, to name only a few.
In 2014 Maria also performed with S.Y.S.O. as a 1st violinist accompanying the Pacific Northwest Ballet for their school performance of Sylvia as well as a ballet choreographed to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Major O. 44. during their “NEXT STEP” choreographer’s showcase series.
In seeking to further her musical education, Maria attended the Academy of Music Northwest (A.M.N.W.) for four years. While studying at A.M.N.W., Maria developed additional skills and knowledge of Music Theory, Ear Training, Sonata Literature, Chamber Ensemble, Performance Forum, and Choral Repertoire Performance. Her professors included Dr. Jim Paul, MSO Conductor Julia Tie, Eric Flesher, Annie Chang-Center, Brand Hawkins, Josiah Boothby, Brianna Atwell, Allison Kramer, and more.
Maria has participated in competitions local to Washington State such as the Seattle Young Artist Festival Competition, and the Alliance of Christian Musicians Competition. She has been engaged to play her violin for weddings, banquets, fundraisers, and conferences, etc. In past years, she has also performed in the Orchestra of the Lyric Light Opera of the Northwest.
With her mother teaching violin students out of the home throughout Maria's childhood, and Maria's own training and love of Music, it was only natural for Maria to develop a love for teaching as well. Maria has taught violin using the Suzuki method in Washington state for over nine years, and has had the experience of teaching a wide range of levels and ages. Her focus is on teaching a solid classical technique, tailoring her teaching to the individual needs of each student.
Maria has an immense appreciation for the art of music, and in stewardship to its Creator, enjoys sharing that love with others and cultivating within them their own ability to learn the violin, furthering the true, the good and the beautiful in our culture.