Colleagues and critics alike regard flutist Maria Harding as an "artistic anchor" and "a truly remarkable musician." She is one of today's most notable orchestral flutists, receiving much attention for her beautiful tone and her expressive and colorful phrasing.
Principal Flute of the Omaha Symphony since 1997, Maria began her orchestral career at age 16 in the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gürer Aykal. She has played with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Kansas City Symphony and Schlossfestspiele Orchestra in Heidelberg, Germany and has held the position of Principal Flute with the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra.
As a soloist, Maria was awarded first prize in a competition sponsored by the National Flute Association at age 18. She also took top awards at the McCarty Young Artists Competition and Myrna Brown Competition. The Yamaha Corporation of America quickly took note of her talent and named Maria a Yamaha Young Performing Artist and later a Performing Artist. Through this clinic program, she serves as a musical coach of young players in music clubs and university programs across the country.
In addition to her full-time orchestral schedule, Maria gives over 30 solo performances a year. Locally, she dedicates considerable time bringing music to Omaha senior centers, children's hospitals and hospice facilities.
Maria enjoys a large and lively private teaching studio with students ranging from beginners through emerging professionals. She hopes to perpetuate the caring guidance she received from her own fine teachers: Margaret Redcay (early studies), Bonita Boyd (Eastman School of Music), Bradley Garner and Jack Wellbaum (University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music).
