About Me
About Maria
Maria Diaz is a professional dancer, choreographer, instructor, and youth educator in Los Angeles and beyond…
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Maria Diaz is a professional dancer, choreographer, instructor, and youth educator in Los Angeles and beyond with more than 14 years experience. As a proud graduate of UCLA and soon-to-be licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, she utilizes both of her degrees to blend art and science in everything she does. She combines a grounded understanding of kinesiology and body mechanics with professional dance practices, ranging from Latin dance, ballroom, jazz and ballet to folklore and hip-hop. Maria hopes to help optimize her student’s quality of life by assisting them in improving their cardiovascular function, cognitive function, flexibility, strength and coordination through dance and other services so that her students can live a pain-free and longer life.
As a Colombian native, Maria is one of the pioneers of Salsa Caleña in the US and she has co-directed the only company of Colombian Salsa style on the West coast. Her unique style fuses acrobatics with intricate footwork which has landed her opportunities to work with Disney, tour with multiple artists and perform/teach internationally. She specializes in Latin dance styles including Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, and Chacha but is also trained in multiple dance forms like folklore dances from Latin America, Afro-Caribbean dances, Ballroom, ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop to name a few). Maria has been a dance instructor at UCLA and various high schools in South Central LA and continues working with underserved youth and families to ensure all communities have equal access to dance.
Notable Achievements
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Disney′s Encanto
– Maria worked as a dance instructor, dance choreography, costume and cultural consultant, as well as a model for Disney’s drawing and character team. – Maria recently performed & collaborated closely with choreographers for Disney’s “ENCANTO at the Hollywood Bowl” now available on Disney Plus!
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Performing & touring with world renowed artists
Including performing alongside Don Omar and Zion y Lennox. – And touring with artists like Pancho Barraza and Colombian Carnaval artist Checo Acosta.
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Dancing in music videos
For artists like Gerardo Ortiz, Pancho Barraza Checo Acosta and Cysco music
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Choreographing and performing with Salsa all stars
Choreographing and performing with Salsa all stars including: Integration Casanova, Sonora Carruseles, Orchestra Identidad, Wilson “saoco” Manyoma of Fruko y sus Tesos, Rey Reyes, Charlie Cardona, Javier Vasquez, and Christian Fernandez, former lead singer of the Grupo Gale.
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Performing, instructing and competing
Performing, instructing and competing in several congresses and festivals around the world including Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, Costa Rica and more. She has also participated and competed in world renowned championships including World Latin Dance Cup in Miami and Colombia, World Salsa Open and World Salsa Summit. Maria is also active in the Los Angeles scene, often performing, instructing and social dancing at distinguished Latin dance venues like The Granada LA, Stevens Steak House, Sevillas, Beverly Hills Salsa, Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, Quiet Cannon, and many more