Maria Nicol

Originally from Russia, I started studying music at the age of 6 at a local music school. Initially, I studied singing and piano and - later on - musical theory, the history of music and choir conducting. By the age of 19, I discovered the old Jazz recordings and fell in love with the sincerity of this music and its emotional freedom. I then entered the department of Jazz and Contemporary music at the College of Music named after Tchaikovsky. While undertaking 4 years of study, I deepened my musical experience by attending jam nights, meeting with wonderful musicians and singing at Jazz clubs with various band combinations. My biggest achievement at the time was employment with the Ekaterinburg Theatre of Variety Arts as a vocalist for the big band; I worked there for 2 years. A few months before my graduation, I travelled to Moscow to take part at the Jazz Voices Festival. I adored the hustle and bustle of this large, vibrant capital city and I was struck by the mastery and creativity of musicians that I met. I decided to stay there and take private lessons of Jazz singing and improvisation and then shortly entered the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music, which is one of the oldest and the most famous musical high schools in Russia. A few years passed and it was all change again. I relocated to start a new life in Devon, England. I have lived in the South West of England now for many years and made it my home. Since relocating, I've had a few exciting projects. These include founding and managing a local choir; teaching singing to children and adults in private lessons; organising and participating in local concerts and musical events, including those for a local charity; performing as a wedding and event entertainer. My main aim is to promote the beauty of live music and true emotions that a simple genuine sound can bring. I now aim to promote the beauty of live music and true emotions that it brings. During the era of electronic music, I prefer live instruments and a simple genuine sound.