Maria began her teaching career in Wellington having graduated with a BA from the University of Auckland and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching from the Wellington College of Education.  Maria taught in Wellington before joining the College of Education as a primary school music adviser. 

A move back to Auckland in 2003 saw Maria joining Team Solutions as a Primary Schools Music Adviser and working on literacy within the Tamaki Achievement Pathway. 

Maria has worked throughout Auckland and Northland and is passionate about integrating music across the curriculum.  She has supported many schools to establish music programmes and has presented a variety of professional development workshops for primary school teachers.

Maria has a particular passion for singing and ukulele playing and has been instrumental in the establishment of ukuleles in schools.   With the inspiration of Bill Sevesi and Mike Chunn from Play it Strange Maria worked with Kevin Fogarty and Miranda Rocca to establish the New Zealand Ukulele Festival Trust.  Maria manages the festival’s ukuleles in schools programme and has coordinated the Kiwileles massed ukulele orchestra since it was established by Kevin Fogarty in 2007.  The Kiwileles now number of over 1400 school children and teachers.

Maria is a skilled facilitator and supports clusters of music teachers across Auckland and Northland.  She is a board member of Music Education Aotearoa New Zealand and has written a range of teaching resources.  She is an active choral singer, conductor and ukulele player.