Biography
Maria Kosara began singing folk songs of her native Macedonian region from an early age.
In 1983 Maria came to Sofia to take private lessons in the Bulgarian Conservatoire. She faced a dilemma to decide which way to go through - to be a folk or pop singer. Guided by Prof. Kiril Stefanov, the leader-conductor of the famous ensemble ''Pirin'', she chose an ethno-pop singing style.
With her first two ever recorded singles, ''Stop Ror Love'' and ''The Best Wine'', Maria Kosara reached number one of the Bulgarian National Radio Top 10
for pop songs in 1994. Her first album ''The Best Wine'' was released that same year from Riva Sound. She won the prestigeous award for a debut album from the National Radio, as well as ''Orpheus'' nominee for a best debut singer.
The second solo album of Maria Kosara ''The Bitch-Wolf or Life-Giving Water'' was released by POLMU in 1996. Its hit single ''Life-Giving Water'' immediately went to number one of the Bulgarian National Radio Top 10 for pop songs. The Bulgarian National TV offered her a music documentary after some of the pieces from the album. The Ministry of Health showed interest in the song ''Safe Love'' after which a video clip was made. This song became a landmark for young Bulgarians in the fight against AIDS. In 1997-98 Maria Kosara was associated strongly with the AIDS-prevention campaign in Bulgaria.
In the June 7th issue of Billboard magazine Maria Kosara was given a prominent review concerning her second album, mentioning that ''it boasts 10 songs forged in a unique ethno-pop style that combines the ancient folk rhythms of the past with ethereal sounds and lyrics that reflect the fast moving style of modern life''.
In 1997 Maria Kosara took the prestigeous Art Rock Center award for Female Singer Of The Year and Hit Of The Year with the song ''Life-Giving Water''. She took part in many charity concerts and established herself as one of the best Bulgarian singers on the pop scene.
In 1998 Maria Kosara entered the Top 10 at the Discovery Music Forum in Paris for Ethno music with invitations for consecutive participations. That same year she was invited to take part in the Slavonic Music Bazar in Vitepsk, Belarus as the Bulgarian representative.
In 1999 Maria recorded her third album ''Pink Bed'', released by Riva Sound. She was invited to take part in show performances in Rome for greeting the year 2000. On August 19th, 2001 Maria took part in the establishment of the first Ukraine Council of ethic Bulgarians with a big concert.
| 
