Maria Conti – Violin

Maria Kistner Conti is a versatile violinist. She is equally at home on the concert stage (playing symphonic works and operas), in Broadway pits, recording studios, non-classical venues and on TV accompanying various bands such as 21 Pilots. She has performed with many prestigious musical artists including Hans Zimmer, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Sting, The Who, The Eagles, Carly Simon, Paul Shaffer and Michael Bublé. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree studying violin with Dr. William Starr at CU Boulder, Maria started improvising with singer/songwriters and found that her non-classical music experiences greatly enriched her classical playing.  A few years later, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in violin performance, studying with Luci Robert at the Manhattan School of Music. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Conti won the position of Assistant Concertmaster of the Norwalk Symphony and her musicianship and leadership skills have made her a sought-after Concertmaster and “acting” Concertmaster for multiple orchestras in NYC, CT and NJ as well as various Broadway shows in New York City.

Maria toured Japan with The Metropolitan Opera in 2011 and played with them for the next six years as a substitute musician.  She can be heard on various recordings of live broadcasts at the Met.  Ms. Conti’s opera experience led her to be Concertmaster of the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice in 2017 and she spent summer of 2018 playing with Glimmerglass Opera. On Broadway in NYC, her experience includes shows such as: the Lion King, Les Miserables, Porgy and Bess, Annie, Newsies, Kinky Boots, Sunset Boulevard and Soul Doctor. Maria was the Concertmaster of Les Miserables from February 2015 until the show closed in September of 2016. She has performed in the Country Music Awards (2011 and 2016), on America’s Got Talent (2014 and 2015) and with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga for their PBS Special Cheek to Cheek. She has also appeared on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert as well as the Colbert Show. Upon moving to Nashville, Maria enjoys subbing in the Nashville Symphony, playing recording sessions, holding an adjunct teaching position at Belmont and collaborating with local artists.

Contact: magikviolin@hotmail.com