Maria Koleva was born in 1982 in Karlovo in the Rose Valley of her native Bulgaria. She started singing at the age of 10 always being closely related to the music and folk traditions of her region and country. Her first stage appearance took place in 1993 at the Rose Festival in Karlovo. While studying at the Shiroka Luka High School of Folk Music she recieved honors and musical awards including top prizes at the Teen Folk Music Festival at Albena, as well as recognition at the Chirpan and Plovdiv Music Festivals in 1996 and 1997. Maria Koleva moved to the USA at the age of 16. Since then she toured USA and Canada twice, performing intensively on festivals, concerts and summer camps. She has also been performing with Kolev Family Ensemble "Balkan Voices" for the last 6 years. She is currently residing in New York City performing with Ivan Milev's "Balkan Band". Maria Koleva has been recognized for her great expressive singing and truly melodic and rich tone. Although she sings the traditional music of many Bulgarian regions, she is most celebrated for her stunning performance of thracian songs.