Flutist Maria Harding is currently the Principal Flutist of the Omaha Symphony. She also played with the Kansas City Symphony and the Saint Louis Symphony, and has held the position of Principal Flutist of the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra. During the summers Maria participated in the Sunflower Music Festival Orchestra in Topeka (KS) and in the Schlossfestspiele Orchestra in Heidelberg, Germany. With various ensembles, she has recorded for Centaur and Klavier Records.

An orchestral career began for Ms. Harding at the age of 16, when she won the position of Second Flutist of the Lubbock (TX) Symphony Orchestra. Early studies were with Margaret Redcay, and continued studies at the Eastman School of Music were with Bonita Boyd. Graduate studies at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music were under the tutelage of Bradley Garner and Jack Wellbaum.

As a soloist, Maria Harding won first prize in prestigious competitions sponsored by the National Flute Association, the Richardson (TX) Symphony Orchestra, the McCarty Artists’ Competition, and the Texas Flute Society.

Ms. Harding was named a Yamaha Young Performing Artist in 1989, and a Yamaha Artist/Clinician in 1996. Through this program she serves as a guest teacher and lecturer for music clubs and university programs across the country.