Biography

Maria Koleva was born in 1982  in the Rose Valley of her native Bulgaria. She started singing at the age of 10 and has always been closely related to the music and folk traditions of her region and country. Her first stage appearance took place in 1993 at the rose festival in Karlovo. While studying at the prestigious Shiroka Luka School of music, she received honors and musical awards including top prizes at the teen folk music festival at Albena, as well as recognition at the Chirpan and Plovdiv music festivals. She has recorded two albums with Balkan Voices Ensemble (1998, 1999). Maria Koleva moved to the USA at the age of 16 and has toured the USA and Canada multiple times, performing extensively at festivals, concerts and summer workshops. In 2005 Maria Koleva recorded her debut solo album “Ot Izovra” with Ensemble Trakia and Rodopi Band. In the same year she joined Ivan Milev Band, and was featured in the recording of the “The flight of Krali Marko “album (2007). In 2009 Maria joined Bulgarika Band where she performed at the World Folk Festival in Maine. In the spring of 2009 Maria recorded three of her songs for the Bulgarian National Radio in Sofia with the Bulgarian National Radio Ensemble with composer and conductor Georgi Andreev. In 2011 she became famous among the bulgarian communities , while she was touring with Bulgarika Band (Nikolay Kolev- gadulka, Ivan Milev- akordeon, Donka Koleva- vocals, Maria Koleva- vocals) for two months in the USA and Canada. In 2012  Maria Koleva completed  another tour with DJ Radi Georgiev performing at Bulgarian parties in the USA.She currently resides in New York City performing with Bulgarika Band and working on new projects.Maria Koleva has been recognized for her highly expressive singing and truly melodic and rich tone. Although she sings the traditional music of many Bulgarian regions, she is most celebrated for her stunning performance of Thracian songs.