Maria Zolotareff was born in Bolivia and raised in Brazil, where she made her piano debut at the age of 12 accompanying her father, concert violinist Peter G. Zolotareff. She graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Bauru, Sao Paolo. She received her bachelor degree in piano performance, and master degree in music education from The Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Heida Hermanns. Other teachers included Jeaneane Dowis, Agustin Anievas and Alexander Fiorillo. She pursued advanced professional training at the Mozarteum, Salzburg, Austria to study German Lieder under Paul Von Schilhawsky, and at the French Piano Institute in Paris, France to study the French repertoire.
Ms. Zolotareff’s solo performances include recitals at Biltmore Hall, New York City, honoring Julia E. Fortun "Woman of the America's Award," and at Goodhue Hall, New York City. As accompanist to baritone John M. McLean, she participated in the televised performance at the Fourth International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, USSR. She has performed in the Westminster Conservatory of Music’s Concert Series in duo piano recitals with Elma Adams and Ray Landers. She performed in a series of violin and piano recitals with violinist Tony Posk. She performed with the Clarion Chamber Ensemble at Clarion University.
Ms. Zolotareff is a member of numerous organizations including the Music Teachers National Association and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and is in demand as an adjudicator. She served as vice president and scholarship chairman of the Greater Princeton Steinway Society for six years and remains as an Artistic Advisor. She was a delegate to the People to People Ambassador Programs’ "Great Conservatories of Russia" held in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Ms. Zolotareff's teaching experience includes private studio since 1970, public school music teacher and choir conductor in New Jersey and New York, piano faculty at the Haddonfield School of Creative and Performing Arts, The Hun School, and since 1986 at the Westminster Conservatory of Music. Her students have been accepted in the Young Artists Honor Programs at Westminster Conservatory and have received many awards and scholarships, including solo performances with the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra.
Ms. Zolotareff is also fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.