Maria Bitran was born in Santiago, Chile. She is an Adjunct Professor of classical guitar at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Maria began playing guitar at age 8 and 4 years later enrolled in the Conservatory of Music at the University of Chile. She then obtained a degree in Guitar Performance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Maria got her Master Certificate in Guitar at Berklee College of Music through their on-line school. Maria keeps a very active teaching schedule. She has taught for several years at Cherokee Bend Elementary, N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, Brookwood Forest Elementary, and also has a private studio.
Maria has travelled all over the world with her guitar, attending and performing in master classes in Spain, Italy, France, Baltimore, Columbus, Miami and New York, studied with world renowned guitarists: David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, Roland Dyens, Andrew Zohn, Lorenzo Michellim, Mateo Mella, and others. Maria’s passion is teaching guitar to any age group, from as young as 4 and as old as 90.