Currently a member of the first violin section of the Residentie Orchestra, Mara graduated from the Royal Conservatoire the Hague, studying with Ilona Sie Dhian Ho and Philippe Graffin. Besides that she regularly followed extra classes with Mauricio Fuks, and masterclasses from Ivry Gitlis, Anner Bylsma and others.
Mara is frequently invited to play in renowned ensembles and orchestras, such as Radio Chamber Orchestra, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Combattimento Consort and Camerata RCO. Besides orchestral playing she developed a special interest in chamber music and historical performance practice, both on “modern” as on authentic instruments, starting with her duo with Yana Borisova.
Every summer she performs and teaches at the Peter the Great chamber music festival. Her predilection for chamber music is expressed in a striving for (direct) communication and connection, also in a larger whole such as an orchestra.