BIOGRAPHY

Maria De Jesus Contreras began her musical journey in 3rd grade when she played “Happy Birthday” on her friend’s plastic keyboard and hasn’t stopped playing music since. She subsequently convinced her parents to pay for her own keyboard and private lessons in order to keep playing. Maria soon learned more than just “Happy Birthday”, but she didn’t want to be limited to just one instrument. After picking up violin in sixth grade, in 2015 she was given the opportunity to apply to the highly selective Frisco ISD in-school harp program, where she was accepted to begin her studies.

Maria is currently studying with Dr. Jaymee Haefner at the University of North Texas with the hopes of completing a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance. Since 2020, she has been an active member UNT HarpBeats. She has performed with them across the country, including the Texas Music Educators Association convention in San Antonio, Texas and the 2024 American Harp Society National Conference in Orlando, Florida. She is also currently a member of the UNT Jazz Strings Lab, the first string jazz ensemble ever at the University of North Texas. As a part of this ensemble, she has performed multiple times at the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival and participated in the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the UNT jazz program.

An avid arranger and lover of Latin music, Maria is enthusiastic about sharing her Venezuelan heritage through music. She has arranged various pieces for harp ensemble featuring Venezuelan music, including a medley of works by the composer and harpist Juan Vicente Torreabla. Her arrangements are frequently performed by the UNT HarpBeats and were most recently featured in the closing recital of the 2024 American Harp Society National Conference.

For a number of years, Maria has been working as a music and academic instructor. She has taught beginner level piano, violin, and harp to a wide variety of students, ranging from elementary to college age. Part of her experience was as a violin instructor in a music therapy studio, working closely with autistic students. She also works as a GED and Spanish tutor for UNT staff and faculty as a student assistant with the President’s EDGE program.

Throughout her college career, Maria has been the recipient of various awards and honors. Maria has been recognized by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund as an HSF Scholar in 2022. She was awarded a 2023 Nike HSI Scholarship and was recognized as a Nike HSI Program Scholar. In addition to her musical studies, she is also pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, with a concentration in forensics. In fall, Maria was chosen as a UNT Great Grad, recognizing her dedication and tenacity in completing her undergraduate degrees.