Reader Spotlight: Mariya-Andoniya Andonova

Mariya-Andoniya Andonova

Meet Mariya-Andoniya Andonova, a bassist originally from Bulgaria who now resides in New York. Mariya-Andoniya jokes that given her height, it was recommended that she either chose basketball or bass. Thankfully, she chose the latter.

Mariya-Andoniya is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you could be next). Here’s her story…

Bio:

I’m a bassista from Bulgaria. I have studied in the US since high school and hold degrees for double bass performance from The Colburn Conservatory and The Yale School of Music. I was a tenured member of the Santa Barbara Symphony in Southern California and a fellow with The Orchestra Now at Bard College. Music and bass are my passion and I would like to encourage you to keep up with my projects on my YouTube channel.

Location:

Hudson Valley/NY/USA

Years experience:

20 years.

Why I play the bass:

When you’re 5’11 like me, the recommended professions start with “bas”- basketball or bass. Lucky for me I picked bass and loved it!

Gear:

I play a Nick Lloyd Upright Bass Flatback, Gamba Style. The top is spruce and the rest is Walnut. I commissioned it from Nick in 2019!

My Influences:

Rachel Calin, Chris Hanulik, Mikyong Sung, Chris Hanulik, Misha Maisky, Radiohead, Itzhak Perlman, Janine Jansen.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I’m a bass magnet! Literally, everything amazing in life so far has come to me through bass – most recently my husband, my work with a non-profit (happened all because I saw a message on Reddit of a girl from Kenya asking for a bass).

More on the web:

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