Maria van der Sloot

Maria van der Sloot is a Violin Instructor and faculty member at Mount Royal University (MRU), Valhalla Summer School of Music, and El Sistema Calgary. She serves as concertmaster of the Calgary Civic Symphony and holds positions in the Calgary Philharmonic. Her career spans performance, education, and mentorship in classical and contemporary music.

Education: B.M. (Honours) from New England Conservatory with the Vernon Scholarship, and M.M. (Distinction) from San Francisco Conservatory, supported by Osher, Schorr, and Hoefer Scholarships. Key mentors include Donald Weilerstein and Ian Swensen.

Research interests focus on music pedagogy emphasizing expression, creativity, and discipline. She teaches violin, chamber music, and masterclasses, advocating accessible education in underserved communities through El Sistema Calgary.

Awards include competition prizes and scholarships. She collaborates with renowned ensembles (e.g., Cleveland Quartet) and festivals (Banff, Tanglewood). Performance highlights include solo appearances with the Calgary Philharmonic and NPR’s From the Top.

Teaching roles include Senior Violin Masterclass at Academy for Young Artists and chamber music coaching. Grants and support from Alberta Foundation for the Arts enabled her graduate studies.