Maria Pozdnyakova Maria Pozdnyakova was born in Moscow in 1984. She started her harp lessons in Children Music school at the age of 6. By the time she graduated from school she already participated in many concerts in different concert halls of Moscow. In 1999 she continued her education in Moscow State Gnessins Music College. During the years in College she participated in several International musical events, such as World Harp Congress in Geneva and Moscow International Vera Dulova Harp Competition. She graduated in 2003 with Diploma with Honors and continued her study in Moscow Fine Arts Academy under prof. Emilia Moskvitina.
The crucial point at her carrier was winning the 3rd prize on the 3rd International Vera Dulova Harp competition and meeting there her future teacher – Erika Waardenburg. To study with her, Maria came to the Netherlands and was admitted to the Utrecht Conservatory to the 3rd year of Bachelor. She obtained her Bachelor with honors diploma in 2008. She continued with her Masters in Utrecht Conservatory and studied baroque harp with Constance Allanic as a part of her research project. The idea of the project is combining modern harp and baroque harp at the same level of performing skills and inspiring composers for writing new pieces for baroque harp. Though the project is finished as a Master research, there is a potential and further work can be done in this area.
Presently, Maria performs on the Italia arpa doppia and tries to enlarge her repertoire in historical harp playing.
In June 2010 Maria obtained Master of Music diploma from Utrecht Conservatory. Her final recital concert included a Concerto for guitar by Joaquin Rodrigo, performed with a student orchestra of Conservatory.
After finishing her studies, Maria works with different ensembles, both modern and historical. In the fall of 2010 she performed in Muziekgebouw aan „t Ij for the Finals of Toonzetters competition as a part of a group for composer Aliona Yurtsevich.
As much enjoying performing solo, collaboration with other musicians is very important for Maria. She can be heard in concerts in combination with flute, organ, two harps together and choir.
