Maria believes that a story is a gift from heart to heart between teller and listener. A professional writer and editor, her love of fairy, folk, and wisdom tales has been life-long, although studies leading to her bachelor’s degree in education from Boston College and years as a preschool teacher deepened her appreciation.

She has told stories for more than 20 years at schools, libraries, churches, and the New Jersey Storytelling Festival. She is a member of the New Jersey Storytelling Network, the Princeton Storytelling Circle, and an affiliated artist with Storytelling Arts, Inc.