Margarita Maistrova graduated from the Special Music School of the Leningrad (St Petersburg) Conservatory and in 1980 from the Conservatory where she studied with Alexandra Vavilina. In 1980–1986 she was soloist of the Leningrad Conservatory orchestra also playing as guest musician with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra under Yevgeny Mravinsky. Since 1986 she has been member of the Kirov (Mariinsky) Orchestra (piccolo flute). She participated participated in recordings made on Mariinsky label (Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 2, Massenet’s Don Quichotte).