Tutor

Hi, I am Maria. I have been dancing since I am six years of age.

I am originally from Berlin, Germany and grew up in the theatre world.

My background is in Modern Expressive Dance, Contemporary Dance, Dance Theatre and multilingual Drama.

I lived in the U.S.A. as a child, graduated from a bilingual German-American Partnership School in Berlin (2000), and first came to Ireland as an Erasmus student (2002). I focussed on Irish Drama and Film in my B.A. & M.A. in English/American and German Studies at University Rostock and specialised in expressive dance documentation in an M.A. in Drama & Theatre Studies at University College Cork (2006).

In my youth, I mainly danced and performed with Tanzwerkstatt No Limit, Berlin, Germany (1988-99), Rainbow Arts, Raleigh, USA (1992-94), and at Fischhaus, Fabrik Potsdam (1996-97). I later joined the jlling-company, Tanztheaterprojekt Rostock (now Tanzland Rostock) (2001-05) led by choreographer Peter Mann.

Since 2006, I have performed in contemporary dance and theatre, mainly with choreographer Inma Pavon. Most notably in: 5.5.5 Chances, IV Wills, and Inner Landscapes.

In 2011, I began my training in dance and movement teaching in Ireland and Germany.

I am certified in Leading Creative and Community Dance, with the Laban Guild for Movement and Dance, Belfast, N.I., kindly supported by Cork City Council (2016), and in Leading Creative Dance for Children, AHAB-Academy, Berlin (2011).

I completed CPD in Vaganova Ballet Pedagogy for Ages 8-10 (2018), Community Dance with emphasis on Choreography (2018), Developing Creativity in Children Through Dance (2012), KDS Floor Barre and Placement (2014), among others.

In 2020, I completed Vinyasa and Ashtanga 200hrs Yoga Teacher Training with Bend it Like Buddah, Portimao, and Restorative Yoga Teaching with Yoga Bliss Lembongan, Bali.

I started training in Yoga for Children online in 2021, and completed training in Yoga for Children and Yoga for Children with Special Needs in person with Ganapati School of Yoga, Mallow in 2022.

Recently, I enjoyed CPD in Modern Dance teaching for teens, and older adults online with Lorenzo Koopenaal, with Gina Workshops, Germany.

At present, I am happy to be part of an Inclusive Dance Training course at UCC run by Croí Glan and Dance Cork Firkin Crane.

In 2016, I founded Dance Theatre Project Cork (now Starling Dance Theatre) and in 2019 I co-founded Collective Cork.

I’ve led and organised community dance projects, often in collaboration, most notably Global Water Dances in Cork 2017, 2019 and 2021 and am hopeful to do more.

I truly enjoy sharing my lifelong passion in dance and theatre and new love of yoga.

Find out more about my work.