Maria Collings

Biography

Maria is a composer, teacher and flautist. 

As a TES Author of music resources for teachers, Maria writes resources and picture storybooks about music for children which are used by teachers around the world.

Maria’s teaching experience is varied and extensive; she has 25 years experience as a qualified teacher, music leader and Advanced Skills Teacher in primary schools, of which 9 years were spent as an Advanced Skills Teacher for Music and English and 3 years as a Headteacher of a small primary school. 

Maria studied music, composition, flute performance and education for the primary age range, gaining a BA(Ed)(Hons) from Christ Church College Canterbury, University of Kent.

She subsequently studied for a MA in Music Education at the Institute of Education, University of London. In 2022, Maria completed a MA in Music from the Open University. Her dissertation was a practice-based research project investigating text, context, procedure and function of borrowed music in an original composition.

In 2025, Maria will begin a MMus in Composition.

Maria’s compositions are influenced by artefacts; not just objects but including images and texts. These influences inspire Maria to interpret and reinterpret through bringing different artefacts into conversation with one another, offering different insights and viewpoints.

 

Performances

Camellia, a one minute aria for solo soprano was premiered by Mary Hubbell on 26 September 2024 in New York City at the MNN studios.

In a Wide Place, a passacaglia for string orchestra was premiered on 25 November 2023 by the Musicians of All Saints at St Michael's Church, Lewes.

Spiral, a one minute piece for two violins was premiered on BBC Radio Cornwall on Sunday 30th August 2020.