Maria Cherwick, originally from the Canadian Prairies, has been playing violin since she was 2 years old. These days, you’re equally likely to find her playing violin or viola in a concert hall, or shredding bluegrass and Newfoundland fiddle tunes in a pub. Maria has toured extensively across North and South America, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean, but enjoys playing shows at home in Newfoundland most of all!

Maria has played shows with a good majority of the musicians in the province, but appears regularly with her Ukrainian speed-folk band The Kubasonics, as well as The Old Contemporaries and Flower Hill, to name a few. She released an album in 2024 with her trad “super group” Jockey Special, and recently recorded an album of Ukrainian classical music with Sunflower Duo, to be released later in 2026!

When she’s not on stage, Maria enjoys creating art, crafts, and starting (though less often finishing) DIY projects - always under the careful supervision of her cat, Calvin. She is a fierce advocate for good lighting and stage decor, and loves to lean into a good theme. She is thrilled to be designing this year's stage at The Ship for Lawnya Vawnya!