Maria began playing the flute at age nine and immediately became very active in various music groups and solo performances. At age twelve, Maria was invited to perform at the National Flute Association Convention to demonstrate E.F. Dean flutes, performing both for their clinic and at the E.F. Dean booth. She won a spot in the Bakersfield Youth Symphony at age thirteen, began playing regularly with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra at age sixteen, and also began giving flute lessons at a young age.
Maria has won several scholarship awards and solo competitions and has also been invited often to perform at various clinics, demonstrations and in other settings. She has also performed live on both radio and television broadcasts. Her preferred musical setting is the orchestral one and she has performed with numerous orchestras, both as a soloist and as principal flute. She often performs on the piccolo as well. Maria has also performed in the premiering and recordings of several works.
Maria is currently active in several music ensembles, including playing piccolo with the Carson City Symphony, the Culver City Symphony (formerly the Westchester/Marina Del Rey Symphony) and the Marina del Rey Summer Symphony; and is also the first call import flutist with the Bakersfield Symphony, the Peninsula Symphony and the San Fernando Valley Symphony whom she occasionally plays principal flute for. She performs professionally on a regular basis throughout the San Fernando/Los Angeles areas as well as the Central Valley. She also teaches private lessons and is continuing her own studies with David Shostac, Principal flute of the LA Chamber Orchestra. Maria is also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a National Music Fraternity dedicated to encouraging music education and performance throughout the world.
Maria performs on a Muramatsu heavy wall DS model flute with a Powell 14k Aurumite headjoint; her piccolo is a 650/4 Hammig with modified wave headjoint; and she plays a Sonare AF60 alto flute with solid silver Powell headjoint.