Maria
Andrade

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Maria Andrade has been immersed in the world of dance for over 35 years. Her journey began at the age of eight, when she started formal training and quickly advanced to the competitive circuit, performing at both regional and national levels.

Maria has received extensive training across a wide spectrum of styles, including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Acro, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre, giving her a deep and well-rounded understanding of dance. During her training as a competitive dancer, she also completed her full dance examinations through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) in Tap, Jazz, and Ballet.

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Following a decade-long, award-winning competitive career, Maria pursued her passion for dance academically in the Fine Arts program as a dance major at York University. During this time, she began teaching competitive-level students in various dance disciplines—a commitment that has continued for the past 25+ years.

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In addition to her dance training, Maria expanded her artistic pursuits by completing the Theatre Arts Production Program at Humber College with honours. During her time at Humber, she worked as a Stage Manager, Costume Designer, and Assistant Choreographer, and was contracted for two seasons with the Oakville Shakespeare Festival. It was through these experiences that Maria discovered her true calling: teaching. She found fulfillment in sharing her knowledge and instilling her strong technical foundation and work ethic in her students.

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Over the years, Maria has dedicated herself to training competitive dancers across numerous styles. Although classically trained in various genres, the last decade has seen her speciality focus primarily in tap. Her work is grounded in precision, musicality, and rhythm, bringing a distinct and innovative voice to the form. Her choreography has earned widespread recognition, winning numerous awards and helping her students earn scholarships, overall titles, and top honours at both regional and national competitions.

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Maria's students have also performed internationally—representing Team Canada at the IDO World Tap Championships and World Performers events—and many have gone on to enjoy successful careers as instructors and choreographers.

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Highly respected for her expertise across all dance forms, Maria is a sought-after teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator, known for her passionate instruction, technical excellence, and ability to inspire the next generation of dancers.