About Me:

I’m Mariia Kovalenko - a composer, sound designer, and songwriter originally from Moscow, Russia. My journey in music began at seven, when I first sat at the piano and discovered how sound could tell stories. At fifteen, I joined the Moscow Jazz Academy, where I was guided by mentors who helped me explore the emotional depth of harmony, texture, and improvisation.

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Over the years, I’ve grown from a jazz pianist into a multidisciplinary creator, drawn to the connection between sound and narrative. My work now focuses on composing for interactive media, film, and games - blending acoustic and electronic elements to shape atmosphere and emotion.

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I’ve always been fascinated by improvisation -  its unpredictability, freedom, and honesty. That same spirit drew me toward interactive media, where sound and music respond to human choices in real time. In many ways, I see interactivity as a form of improvisation between the artist and the audience, and I’m passionate about exploring that connection through my compositions.

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In 2022, I received a merit-based scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music, where I’m majoring in Game & Interactive Media Scoring. My studies have led to honors, including the 2024 Billy Strayhorn Piano Competition award and the 2026 EA Charting Change Scholarship - Berklee’s top departmental recognition.

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Alongside my scoring and sound design work, I write and produce original songs that merge jazz, poetry, and ambient textures. My debut album "Little Stories", currently in production, draws from ECM-inspired aesthetics - intimate, atmospheric, and deeply personal.

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Today, I continue to compose, design sound, and write music that bridges worlds - combining the sensitivity of jazz with the possibilities of modern technology and interactive storytelling.