It's not uncommon for singers to be laid low by throat ailments. But for Maria Ruffino it was a nose-related issue that interrupted her studies.

Maria was part-way through her jazz studies with CQUniversity's Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Mackay when she was diagnosed with phantosmia, an extremely rare condition that affects the olfactory nerve.

Maria Ruffino - wine, food and music lover

"It was extremely distracting. I was hallucinating a terrible sense of smell that wasn't actually there.  It made me quite sick, and I thought I was completely mad!  I travelled to Adelaide to receive surgery from the only surgeon in Australia who could deliver this elaborate operation.  It was a long surgery in which endoscopy was employed to extract the nerves out of my nose and my brain.  Now I can only smell out of one nostril... But am completely cured, thankfully!"

Maria went on to graduate and added her CQCM qualification to her Victorian Certificate of Education, gleaned through a vocal/piano scholarship at the Victoria College of the Arts.

Since then she has dedicated her time to performance, further learning and her business, operating a successful school of music in the Yarra Valley.

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Maria Ruffino is special guest for The Big Night In: A jam for all tastes, co-presented by CQUniversity and ABC Capricornia, from 7.30pm on Friday, April 23 at the Helene Jones Room on Rockhampton Campus. Also featuring the CQUni Jazz Orchestra, CQUni staff and a variety of jazz and popular ensembles form the Bachelor of Music program.  Ticket details via Kim on 4940 7800 

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"Yarra Valley School of Music is ever expanding, with over 60 students, 3 teachers and a resident gig at a local supportive cafe.  Hopefully in the future, my school of music will be fully operational, offering more performance opportunities, ensembles, choirs and recording projects," Maria said.

"The most exciting thing about being in control of my career is being able to do what I love, and when you do what you love, the reward is contentment and an honest willingness to keep going."

Maria grew up in Healesville, located in the heart of the Yarra Valley in Victoria and says it's a place she feels completely settled. 

"Apart from being a singer and a music teacher, my other interests include food and wine.  Coming from the Yarra Valley, I have grown up in an area dedicated to hospitality and tourism.  I have qualifications in cooking, and have had fantastic opportunities cooking in restaurants and cafes.  I supported myself through university in Mackay by cooking in a resort.  I also spend school holidays when I'm not teaching serving and selling wine in cellar doors.  I have completed wine courses and have good wine knowledge."

Maria said she has always loved learning, especially music, and is currently studying the piano and guitar.

"As a singer and a music teacher, I think it's important to understand the language of music and to remain studious.  This also provides me with the ability to accompany myself for gigs.  Very handy!

"The highlights of my time as a student were definitely the performance opportunities.  CQCM provided fantastic practical avenues for students to apply their learning."