Info + Contact
— About me, social media, and how to get in touch
— About
Maria is a multidisciplinary performer, stunt woman, and martial arts instructor, based in Portland, Oregon.
My passion for martial arts, a lifetime of asthma, and a chronically ill childhood have fueled a fascination with the way we use our bodies to communicate, navigate, and integrate with our surroundings. I've been practicing martial arts for over half my life: training, teaching, choreographing, and performing. After graduating with a degree in graphic design and illustration, I accidentally co-founded a dance collective and have been telling stories physically as well as visually for the last several decades.
All these experiences have resulted in a pretty unique cross-section: I am a small woman who understands both the physics and psychology of self defense. I also love the dichotomy of theatrical violence: that the most convincing fights scenes are actually the ones with the best non-verbal communication and cooperation. Falling into the dance world via Butoh fostered a strong grasp of improvisation and the ability to embody images upon direction.
I’m excited to lend my skills to storytelling projects in film, photo, and live performance, and I bring quite a few tools to the table: I have performed internationally and throughout the west coast of the US in dance pieces that have since gained international acclaim. I am a 4th degree black belt with over 2 decades of training in Tang Soo Do, as well as exposure to Aikido, Capoeira, Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and Tricking, and have experience with various weapons. I have choreographed and performed in internationally award-winning martial arts demonstrations, and have been performing stage-combat-style martial arts for over 20 years. Instructing all ages (and a variety of developmental abilities) in martial arts and self defense for over 17 years has lent me excellent communication and interpersonal skills. I also hold a BFA in Visual Communication from the University of Arizona.
What can I bring to your next project? Contact me and let’s find out!