Anna Makarova was born in Leningrad (USSR) and began studying harp at the age of 9 at the Special Musical College. Then she continued her musical education at the Sankt-Petersburg State Conservatory with professor A. Varosian.

In 1994 she won the International Harp Competition in Israel. More than 25 years, from 1992 till now - Anna Makarova is a soloist at the Great Saint-Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Maestro Yuri Temirkanov. Her solo repertoire includes more than 10 concerts for harp with orchestra: by Mozart, Glier, Ginastera, Rodrigo, Deltour etc. As a member of various ensembles and as a soloist. She regularly takes part in famous international musical festivals in Russia, Еurope, USA, Asia.

From 1998 - Anna Makarova is a professor of the famous Sankt-Petersburg State Conservatory.

Among her students are winners of prestigious international competitions and soloists of the best theaters and orchestras in the world: Sofia Kiprskaya (Mariinsky Theatre-the principal harpist), Tatiana Repnikova (Mihaylovsky theatre - the principal harpist), Artemiy Izmaylov (Mariinsky Theatre) and etc.

Anna Makarova combines International tours with the orchestra and Solo recitals around the world. Since 2009 Anna Makarova is one of the founders and organizers and Artistic director of the International Harp Project "The Golden Harp competition". She also gives master-classes around the world and a jury member for a different International Harp Competitions .

In April, 2011 under the President’s decree Anna was awarded the title of the Honored Artist of Russia.