Biography
Maria Scherer Wilson performs and records alternative and classical styles as a cellist, and embraces humankind at her West Seattle practice Earthtone Healing, as a music/yoga teacher, and an intuitive sound and energy healer.
Maria has always valued the natural world, and encourages others to come back their true center. She started her musical and yogic studies many years ago, and understands the importance of how an integrated Body, Mind and Soul can connect you into the deepest layers of Love, Life and Sound.
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Maria was born in Iowa, grew up in Colorado, and matured in Indiana. She graduated from the University of Evansville with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 1999, under the tutelage of Dr. Pablo Mahave-Veglia, and began her professional career with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. During the summers, Maria studied at Operafestival di Roma, Eastern Music Festival, Chautauqua Institution, and the International Festival-Institute at Round Top.
In 2001 she was granted a full scholarship to The University of Texas at Austin, and studied performance and pedagogy with Professor Emeritus Phyllis Young. Professor Young taught Maria to "Spin Golden Threads" with her cello sound, and that lesson, among many others, will never be forgotten. Maria assisted Professor Young at the International String Workshop in Graz, Austria (2004) and the National Cello Institute in Pomona, CA (2009). Maria's teaching career began in 2001 as a private instructor, group teacher and orchestra conductor with The University of Texas String Project.
After graduating with her Master of Music in Violoncello Performance, Maria relocated to Hollywood in 2003. She quickly earned her California Teacher's Certificate and became an Orchestra Director in Baldwin Park USD and an Assistant Orchestra Director at University High School in Irvine USD. She also taught as a String Specialist with the American Youth Symphony, Education Through Music-LA, the Santa Monica Academy of Music and the Beverly Hills USD.
In Los Angeles, Maria had opportunities to perform with String Theory, Beth Thornley, Jody Watley, Frank Sinatra Jr., Cat Power, Zehnder, Alissa Moreno, Marina V, the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company and Seth MacFarlane. She served as Principal Cellist for the Long Beach Ballet Orchestra, NoHo Arts Center and the University of Southern California Musical Orchestra. In 2006, she met the lovely Florence Henderson, and toured her one-woman show “All the Lives of Me” to venues in Palm Springs, Hollywood, Owensboro (nearest her KY home), Spokane and Las Vegas.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Maria Scherer (Wilson) for a number of years. She is a remarkable talent and brilliant cellist.” Florence Henderson
Sought after for her cello tone and reading/improvising skills, Maria has recorded for commercials, independent films & projects, and many bands/artists (The Head and the Heart, John Zorn/Eyvind Kang, Amanda Palmer, Recess Monkey). See Discography
In 2009, Maria transitioned to Seattle, and has since performed with Jherek Bischoff, Paul Kikuchi, Ahamefule J. Oluo, Led to Sea, Amanda Palmer, Mirah, Lemolo, NOCCO, John Teske, Scrape, Jason Webley, Jónsi (Sigur Ros) & Alex Somers, Hauschka, Lee Oscar, Seattle Modern Orchestra, Sera Cahoone, Degenerate Art Ensemble, Wayne Horvitz, DeVotchKa, Karin Stevens Dance, B’shnorkestra, Mark Morris Dance Group, Dance Theater of Harlem and a few others.
Maria has been Adjunct Faculty at Lakeside Middle and Upper Schools, a String Specialist with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra in the Schools Program, and a private string & chamber ensemble teacher in West Seattle. She has Adjudicated String Festivals in Washington and California, and has presented String Pedagogy Workshops to Seattle Music Partners.
In 2016 Maria studied the Art of Sound Healing with Irene Ingalls of the Seattle Sound Temple and became an Usui Reiki Master with Marie Manuchehri R.N.
Maria studied the Gong with Wayne Marto and Sada Simran in 2020, and in 2021 Maria completed a Level 1 Yoga Training with Dr. Murali Venkatrao of the Ananda Institute of Yoga.
Maria opened Earthtone Healing in January 2018, where she offers intuitive healing sessions, sound baths and music lessons in West Seattle. She maintains a fulfilling, creative life of music, exploring, gardening, meditation and yoga.
