Maierhof is self-taught as a composer and began composing in 1988. He studied mathematics and music in Kassel and art history and philosophy in Hamburg. He has earned awards from the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris and his works have been selected by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neue Musik three times. He won First Prize in the Neue Musik für Schülerorchester competition in Stuttgart. His music has been performed in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Kazakstan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Switzerland, the UK and the USA, including twice at Darmstadt.