Maria began to dance at the tender age of 4. She started her training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Gymnastics at the Lambert School of Dance & Gymnastics under the tutelage of Mrs. Sarah Lambert herself, as well as Ms. Pauline Paul and Nicole Fuentes for the entirety of her primary school years
Upon entering secondary school, Maria quickly established herself as St. Joseph’s Convent San Fernando’s number one dancer by participating in and winning multiple talent shows and grasping at any opportunity to perform that she could find. Maria was one of the youngest students to audition and make the SJC Step Team as well as tutor 54 students in Hip-Hop Dance for the school’s “Projects” Term; where persons with special skills are invited to share their skill with the students over a seven week period, that closes in a special open day for parents to observe what the students have learnt.
Maria went on to pursue her BFA in Dance at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. It was here that she took her Ballet and Modern training to the next level under the guidance of Nancy Herrera and Claudia Applewhaite, and picked up other dance genres such as Khatak, Contemporary and Caribbean Folk along the way. Maria began to develop a love for all styles of dance and decided it was time to leave Trinidad to gain more knowledge and training abroad.
Maria attended Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California for one semester and later transferred to Broward College in Davie Florida where she earned her Associate in Arts Degree in Dance. Over the course of her studies Maria furthered her training in Ballet and Modern but was also introduced to Flamenco, Capoeira, Tap and West African. Her time in the USA only served to solidify her dream of becoming a Professional Commercial Dancer.
Maria has recently returned to Trinidad after completing a yearlong internship at the Movement Lifestyle Dance Studio in North Hollywood, California. It was here that she trained with world renowned choreographers and dancers such as: Marty Kudelka, Galen Hooks, Shaun Evaristo, Brandon Dumlao and Lee Daniel just to name a few. She even had the amazing opportunity to assist pop sensation, Ariana Grande choreographers, Brian and Scott Nicholson.
Maria is back and ready to share all that she has learnt in her time away from home and take the training in the dance community of Trinidad to new heights.
