Accordionist Maria Telesheva continues to achieve well deserved recognition for her performances. Recently she recorded for the NPR’s “Tiny Desk” show in Washington DC which will be released in January 2026.
Maria also became a laureate of the Planet of Art 2025 international competition organized by UNESCO. As a winner, she flew to Almaty, Kazakhstan to perform with the Symphony Orchestra. There were 40 young talents from all over the world participating in this project in instrumental, vocal and choreography categories. Maria was honored to represent the USA with her accordion.
Maria Telesheva,17, is a senior at North Eugene High School in Eugene, Oregon. She began her accordion studies at the age of 6 under the tutelage of her father, Sergei Teleshev. Two months later, Maria won her first international competition. Since then, Maria has won international Accordion and Vocal Competitions in the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, Belarus, and Ukraine. An accomplished singer, Maria has also performed as a back-up vocalist with the world-renowned Chicago cover band, “Leonid & Friends.”
In November 2021, Maria was awarded the title “Prodigy of the Year” and was selected to grace the cover of the “Accordion Stars Illustrated” Magazine, December/January Issue. Often collaborating with her father and teacher, Sergei Teleshev, the two have established a duo by the name of “Two Accordions”. It is a successful and popular groups in this genre, touring nationally and internationally, while also providing educational school programs nationwide. In 2020, the father and daughter duo founded the popular Accordion Star International Competition that takes place every summer online, bringing together hundreds of accordion players from all over the world. In the four years since its founding, thirty-six different countries have been involved.
Outside of music, Maria is a dedicated academic student with a passion for sports, including swimming, gymnastics, ballet, and competitive acrobatics. In the summer of 2025, at the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration in Washington, Maria walked away with first-place awards in both the open and classical categories.
“That was definitely a big accomplishment,” she said. “ And being noticed by “From the Top” has led to many things.” “From the Top” is a nationally broadcast program on NPR that celebrates exceptional young classical musicians. Producers invited Maria to apply for their six-week fellowship program.
From there, she was encouraged to apply for the 2025 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, a competitive grant given to just 20 students each year. She was selected and received a grant of up to $10,000 to invest in her musical education and performance. Receiving the award will allow Maria to purchase a light-weight professional accordion which will allow her to tour more easily and have more versatility in the professional field.
Here are two recent videos showcasing her talent:
Maria Telesheva with Orchestra – Tchaikovsky – April – 4 Seasons: Maria Telesheva and Doston Nazirkhovov on clarinet with the Kazakhstan Symphony Orchestra and International Dancers performing at the Planet of Art 2025 UNESCO Palace of Republic Almaty, Kazakhstan
“Flight of the Bumblebee” – Maria Telesheva and Ylham Orazmammedov (piano) with orchestra
For further information: steleshev@yahoo.com
