Maria has lived all over the US and traveled extensively throughout the British Isles and Northeastern Canada. She came to Lawrence Kansas, in the early eighties and lives in the green rolling hills on the edge of the tallgrass prarie just south of town. She began her career as a visual artist, and has always pursued that in tandem with music. Maria has arranged and produced her own recordings- Songs of the Troubadour, Thegither an' a' (with Megan Hurt), Live at Stony Point and Foot to the Path ( with Uncle Dirtytoes). She is a profound and prolific songwriter as well as a creative interpreter of traditional music, drawing from a mental repertoire of hundreds of traditional songs in a variety of styles.

     Her focus for the past ten years has been on Celtic (especially Scottish) music and presentation, combining artistic re-creations (costuming, stage design, props) with musical performances and programs. This pursuit has its foundation in a lifelong interest and study of Scottish culture and traditions, including the study of the Gaelic language. She performs at Celtic festival, Scottish Highland Games, and at Robert Burns events, (including delivering the Address to the Haggis). She is also very well versed in the cultures of Ireland, England, Wales and Nova Scotia / Cape Breton. She is leader and co-founder of Uncle Dirtytoes- a Midwest fixture since 1989-a five piece Celtic folk-rock ensemble performing electric eclectic sets at festivals, dances, parties and pubs; however she mainly performs as a solo artist or with violinist Megan Hurt.

     Maria is also highly respected visual artist and jeweler with a BFA in Art and Design. Her 3D work can currently be found in several Lawrence area shops and galleries, including Back to the Garden and the Brits Store. Most recently she has focussed on painting watercolor landscapes, which will be shown at several art fairs this fall, as well as the Niche Gallery in Overland Park. Her sculpture and kinetic art has been featured in the films Galactic Mission, a sci-fi short, and cultivating stillness, which premiered in Soho as part of the Dance on Film Exhibit. Song of the Sword, a feature length film that she produced , acted in and co-wrote, captured the 1986 Ozzie Independent Film Award. Her articles have been published in various Celtic and music publications in the US and Europe including International Encyclopedia of Progressive Music, Oz Notes, and Living in the Past.

     Maria co-founded and has been the president of the Lawrence area River Valley Celtic Society and music director/promoter of their Celtic Music Festival. She is founder and past organizer of the Lawrence Kansas Tartan Day Parade and Concert and Scottish Evening/Burns Night.

     In spring 2003, Maria recieved Kansas Arts Commission Fellowship Grant for her work on Kentigern - Saint Mungo of Scotland. She travelled in Scotland for most of May 2003.

Emma Willard School Feb 2003 concert and heritage presentation Troy, New York Saratoga Performing Arts Center Feb 2003, Saratoga Springs, New York Kentigern -Saint Mungo of Scotland Feb 1, 2003, St. John's Church, Lawrence, Kansas A Burns Celebration January 29, 2003, Lawrence Art Center, Lawrence, Kansas Robert Burns Night January 25, 2003, Abe and Jake's Landing, Lawrence, Kansas Little Balkans Folklife Festival (Maria) Labor Day, 2001, Pittsburg, Ks. Kansas Pickin' and Fiddlin' Festival (Maria &Megan), Aug.2001, Lawrence, Ks. Ogden River Festival, June 2001, Ogden Utah, Mayday Concert (Maria & Megan), 2001, Lanesfield Historic School, Edgerton, Ks. Good Time Radio Revue, (Maria & Megan) live stage, radio and internet broadcast, St Patricks Day,2001, Lawrence, Ks. West Side Folk Concerts, with Connie Dover and Roger Landes, Nov.18, 2000 CD Release Concert (Maria, Megan, & friends), Oct 1, 2000 MacBrides Irish Pub, O.P. Ceilidh at the Creamery, (Maria) Aug 26, 2000 Port Hawksbury, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Dundee Resort, (Maria) Aug 27, 2000, Dundee, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Algonquin Resort, (Maria) July 28, 2000 St. Andrew, New Brunswick Scottish Highland Games (Maria & Megan) June 10, 2000, Kansas City, Mo. Gaelic Festival (Maria & Megan) June3, 2000 Gaia Retreat, Tonganoxie, Ks. Omega Music Festival (Uncle Dirtytoes), May 7 & 8, 2000, Clinton Park, Ks Missouri Valley Folklife Society Concert, (Maria & Megan) Feb 5, 2000, Westport, Mo. Celtic Music Festival (Uncle Dirtytoes), Oct 9, 1999, Burcham Park, Lawrence, Ks Moon Ridge Concert Series (Maria), July 2, 1999, near Baltimore, Md Heartland Spirit Festival (Uncle Dirtytoes), May 30, 1999, Gaia Retreat, Tonganoxie, Ks Maria is a featured member of the Kansas Arts Commission Touring Roster

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