Maria Ferrara The Dudette 😎 The “Maria” of “Maria & The Balance”.  Observer of the human condition and musician/wannabe athlete/nerd/warm weather enthusiast.  Self-proclaimed tequila, bourbon, and whiskey aficionado. Ohio sports lover. Almost a black belt in TaeKwonDo (check back for updates). Rarely says no to cheese or a side of ranch.

Oh right, music stuff!  Maria has been playing music since the age of 4 and professionally since age 14.  She has a degree in Guitar Performance from Kent State University where she was also in the Jazz Band, Women’s Chorus, and Barbershop Quartet. Maria also studied at the Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles.

A staple in the Northeast Ohio music scene for many years, Maria has been a bassist, guitarist, trombonist, and vocalist with such groups as Aquarius Rising, the Swizzle Stick Band, Ragin’ Kane, and One Loudah.  She released her first solo effort, Connections, last year.

The Balance is Jackson Boeing (guitar, backing vocals), Chris DiCola (bass), Wendy Lawrence (keys, backing vocals), Corey Hautmann (drums, percussion), Scott Marsh (trombone), Tim Coyne (trumpet), and Ryan Freeman (sax).