Maria has a love of choral music and believes that singing is essential for our well-being. She is a certified Kodály-inspired music practitioner and registered primary school teacher, and currently teaches Kodaly-inspired preschool classes for First Singing. Maria was recently contracted as NZCF’s Auckland Regional Events Coordinator, Mana Pasifika Outreach Coordinator, Children’s Outreach Coordinator and as a Singing Matters mentor. She was the music specialist teacher at East Tāmaki School, Otara and at Ellerslie School in Auckland and formerly worked for Victoria University in Wellington and subsequently, The University of Auckland as a district Music Adviser to Primary Schools.
Maria has been a member of Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir, The University of Auckland Chamber Choir/University Singers, The Dorian Choir and Viva Voce and currently sings in Luminata Voices Women’s Chamber Choir. Maria co-authored 'Hear Our Voices' a choral resource, published by NZCF for leaders of children's choirs and was musical director of massed choirs for the APPA Music Festival for 16 years.
Maria was a founding trustee, director of music education and co-author of Kiwileles Songbooks for the NZ Ukulele Trust (2007-2021) and chairperson (2017-2021), and is a former board member of MENZA. She was awarded an MNZM for services to music education in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday honours.
