BIOGRAPHY:
Photo by Shannon Butler/Shabu Studios
Maria Tucker began her love affair with the arts at the age of twelve, studying with and being mentored by Zetta (Shook) Alderman. After graduating from high school, she was awarded a dance merit scholarship to the Gus Giordano Dance Center in Evanston, IL. While living in the Chicago area, Ms. Tucker performed with production companies Double G Productions and X-treme Entertainment. She was also cast in Disney's Hercules' Summer Spectacular, at the renowned Chicago Theatre. She was a founding member of the Colorado Jazz Dance Company (founded by Alderman), eventually moving into the roles of resident choreographer and assistant director.
Maria received a dance scholarship to the University of Arizona in Tucson. As a dance major, she participated in benefits for Angel Charity for Children, Inc., performed with QuinnWilliams Jazz and Paul M. Powell Productions, and was a summer apprentice for the River North Chicago Dance Company. She has assisted many master teachers, including Bill Hastings and Ben Vereen.
After roles as a featured dancer and dance captain at Royal Caribbean Entertainment, she was asked to join the RCI shoreside team as a rehearsal choreographer/director. She has overseen audition tours and has assisted directors such as Harrison McEldowney, Jeremy Plummer, Loren Van Brenk and Sherry Zunker.
Maria has choreographed for Royal Caribbean Productions (The Gift, Stage Door To Dreams, Who Wrote The Songs, One Sky), Busch Gardens (Gift of Harmony), Colorado Springs' Fine Arts Center (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Sweet Charity and Cabaret) and Broadway Rose Theatre Company (Grease, Gypsy, Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls). Her choreography has been nominated for a Pike’s Peak Arts Council Award for Excellence. She was also a finalist for a 2016 Drammy Award and a 2017 and 2019 PAMTA nominee.
Maria received a dance scholarship to the University of Arizona in Tucson. As a dance major, she participated in benefits for Angel Charity for Children, Inc., performed with QuinnWilliams Jazz and Paul M. Powell Productions, and was a summer apprentice for the River North Chicago Dance Company. She has assisted many master teachers, including Bill Hastings and Ben Vereen.
After roles as a featured dancer and dance captain at Royal Caribbean Entertainment, she was asked to join the RCI shoreside team as a rehearsal choreographer/director. She has overseen audition tours and has assisted directors such as Harrison McEldowney, Jeremy Plummer, Loren Van Brenk and Sherry Zunker.
Maria has choreographed for Royal Caribbean Productions (The Gift, Stage Door To Dreams, Who Wrote The Songs, One Sky), Busch Gardens (Gift of Harmony), Colorado Springs' Fine Arts Center (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Sweet Charity and Cabaret) and Broadway Rose Theatre Company (Grease, Gypsy, Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls). Her choreography has been nominated for a Pike’s Peak Arts Council Award for Excellence. She was also a finalist for a 2016 Drammy Award and a 2017 and 2019 PAMTA nominee.
