Maria Semes joined the viola section of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 2026. Previously, she was a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Louisville Orchestra. She received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Naoko Tanaka and David Chan.

During the summer, Maria performs at the Grand Teton Music Festival. She has also participated in the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Maria lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Conrad Jones, Associate Principal Trumpet of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She is also delighted to perform alongside her sister, Carolyn Semes, a member of the orchestra’s second violin section.