Maria Fontosh was born in Ukraine but grew up in Russia where she studied piano, singing and conducting. After moving to Sweden she conducted studies at the Falun Conservatory of Music, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and the University College of Opera. Fontosh graduated from the University College of Opera in Stockholm in December 2001. She has been a part of the Royal Swedish Opera’s ensemble where she made her début as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia. In 2002 she won the third prize in Plácido Domingo’s Operalia International Opera Competition in Paris. She sang at opera houses in Frankfurt, Paris, Valencia and many others.