Maria Ilieva

Early life

Maria Ilieva was born in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, in a family of renowned musicians. Her mother, Vanya Moneva, is the choir-master of the Cosmic Voices from Bulgaria choir and her father, Krasimir Iliev, is the conductor of Sofia Wind Orchestra. Maria’s devotion to music was apparent since early childhood. Trained pianist since the age of five, she developed her vocal skills as a member of the prestigious “Petko Stainov” Choir Academy.

Maria excelled in other areas of education as well, graduating with Honours from the elite Sofia High School of Mathematics. She proceeded to receive a Master’s degree in Insurance and a Master’s degree in International Relations. Her career as a performing vocal artist started in the late 90’s, when she was the lead vocalist of the highly successful Kaffe Band – best known abroad for representing Bulgaria at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest.

Music career

2001: Moon Dream

The launch of Maria Ilieva’s solo career is marked by the release of her first single Moon Dream in the summer of 2001. The groundbreaking album (also titled Moon Dream) was duly released to sensational success later on in the year, having been described as a phenomenon in BG pop music[1]. Awarded singles released from the album (Moon Dream, Nothing) have gone straight to No.1 in all leading Bulgarian radio and television pop charts, while Alright (produced in collaboration with the avant-garde soul-funk band TE), shot to fame by staying on the top of Bulgarian Top 100 chart for an unprecedented 13 successive weeks.

2003: Stereo Room

Maria's next project - Stereo Room - included remixes by top Bulgarian DJs, played at the country's hottest dance venues - regularly featuring a list of renowned world class acts. The single Stereo room is to be remembered as the first completely animated Bulgarian music video produced, accentuating Maria's innovative and experimental style.

2007: I Come To You

After establishing her own record label “MI Productions” in 2003, Maria Ilieva worked in collaboration with renowned Bulgarian and American musicians, songwriters and producers to record her album I Come To You including the massive hits:

What Does It Take - first single released in English /video produced in Los Angeles, USA/, went straight to No.1 as a new entry on MM TV’s TOP 20;

You Come To Me – Maria’s first ballad single, presenting a new sensitivity of Maria’s approach to music;

Born for Love – duet single with distinguished Bulgarian male vocalist/composer Graffa whose video went to No.6 on MTV Europe’s World Chart Express;

Off the Record – Maria’s first collaboration with a hip-hop artist – Knas /Knas&Bacardi/ - 3 weeks at No.1 - Out of 5 chart of Bulgarian National Television;

Past – a single that has gone to No.1 on BG Radio’s TOP 20 chart and stayed there for 5 weeks;

On My Own - a single dedicated to the fight against human trafficking and forced prostitution. Official world premiere - 24.03.2007, at The stars of Europe concert, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of EU, broadcasted on 56 national TV stations worldwide;

Words - the went straight to No1 on MM TV’s TOP 20 three weeks after its release. Premiered on MTV Europe on 24.11.07.

Stereo Room - the record label

In 2007 Maria Ilieva founded her new label to promote young Bulgarian talent called “Stereo Room”. This record label aims at producing and promoting young talented singers from Bulgaria. Special auditions are took place in the beginning of 2008 and the first artist - Krista - was selected. Her debut single, "Tova, koeto iskash", went straight to #1 at all the national music charts and climbed up to #2 on MTV Europe’s World Chart Express. The second artist produced by Stereo Room is B.O.Y.A.N. and his first single's ("It's Over") video premiere is on MAD TV on the 9th of February 2009.

Discography

Moon Dream / Лунен сън

Released: 2001

Label: BMK / БМК

Tracks: "Haos ot mechti", "Shokolad", "Ne tarsya", "Pa-ra-ra", "Men i teb", "I oshte neshto...", "Lunen san club mix", "Ni6to (club mix re-edit Nishto)"

Singles: "Moon Dream", "Nothing", "Alright" with TE

Stereo Room / Стерео стая

Released: 2002

Label: BMK / БМК

I Come To You / Идвам към теб

Released: 2006

Label: MI Productions

Tracks: "The Shit", "All That", "Stop", "Il Destino Con Te" (feat. Leo), "Malko vreme", "Stoy tam", "Past" (Vibeats club remix)

Singles: "What Does It Take", "Born For Love" (duet with Graffa), "Off The Record" feat. Knas, "You Come To Me", "On My Own", "Past", "Words" (feat. YaYa)

Concerts

Billed as a top star at all established regional international music festivals, Maria Ilieva has performed as the opening act for celebrated artists such as George Michael, Simple Minds, Danni Minogue, Atomic Kitten, Garaj Mahal and more. Maria has also performed alongside such greats as Simply Red, Scorpions, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), UB40, Gipsy Kings, Zucchero, Kim Wilde, Spike Edney’s All Star Band and Lou Bega.

Awards

2008

Best Female Artist – MM TV Music Awards

Most Stylish Woman Award - Bravo FM Group

2007

Best Album Award ("I Come To You"/M.I.Productions) - MM TV Awards

Most stylish singer as announced by Elle Magazine

Golden Pen Award - for a Special Contribution to Bulgarian Culture - Classic Fm Radio/MAKTA

2006

Best Female Artist Award – BG Radio Music Awards

Woman of the Year Award – Grazia Magazine/Avon Awards

2005

Best Female Artist Award – BG Radio Music Awards

Best Style Award – Bravo FM Group

2004

Best Female Artist – Melo TV Mania, BNT

Best website of the year - International Media Festival Albena

Best Hairstyle – Pantene Beauty Awards

2002 – 2003

Best Female Artist Award – BG Radio Music Awards

Best Female Artist Award – MM TV Awards

Best Female Artist Award – Rhythm Magazine Awards

Best Video Award (Nishto) – Rhythm Magazine Awards Най-добра изпълнителка – BG Radio Music Awards

2001 – 2002

Best Debut Award – Melo TV Mania, Bulgarian National Television

Best Debut Award – MM TV Awards

Best Video Award (Moon Dream) – BG Radio Music Awards

Best Video Award (Moon Dream) – Forte Top 100 Awards, Bulgarian National Television

Best Female Artist Award – BG Radio Music Awards

Best Female Artist Award – Forte Top 100, Bulgarian National Television

Movies

Maria Ilieva is also an accomplished actress appearing in such Hollywood based films like:

2005 – “Undisputed 2”- A Millenium Films / Nu Image Production

2004 – “Submerged” – A Millenium Films / Nu Image Production

2004 – “Locust”- A UFO Production

2004 – “The Mechanic” (aka "The Russian Specialist") - A Millenium Films / Nu Image Production

Bulgarian movie productions include: •2002 – “Emigrants” – A Boyana Cinema Production

Social engagements

Apart from her music career, Maria Ilieva has been dedicated to a number of important social engagements and causes, such as:

2008 - Spokesperson for ICanToo foundation's campaign to help us raising funds for the needs of children with disabilities

2007 – Ambassador of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All

2006 - 2007 – Official Spokesperson for Face to Face Foundation’s Campaign Against Human Trafficking and Forced Prostitution

2006 – Official Spokesperson for Standard daily newspaper Fund-raiser Initiative for Talented Children

2005-2006 – Official Spokesperson for the Avon Cosmetics’ Campaign Against Breast Cancer, a part of the global initiative for Breast Cancer awareness and prevention.

Brand ambassador / spokesperson

2006-2007 – Official spokesperson for BMW

2005-2007 – Official celebrity spokesperson for Haute Couture designer NEVENA

2003-2005 – Official Pantene Pro-V Brand Ambassador and celebrity Spokesperson