Spotlight On: Maria Majors
Maria Majors is the founder and executive director of STL Rhythm Collaborative (STLRC), an arts nonprofit, aimed at connecting, educating, and inspiring all artists through rhythm. She has been a dance educator for over 25 years. In addition to overseeing STLRC operations, she choreographs and performs with professional ensemble, moSTLy TAP, and teaches jazz and tap dance at Missouri Baptist University, Washington University St. Louis, and Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
HOMETOWN: St. Louis, MO
NOTABLE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Maria joined the Manhattan Tap ensemble, under the direction of Heather Cornell, for their European and North American tours. During that time, she had the extreme honor of touring with late tap dance great, Dr. Buster Brown, and was an original cast member in Manhattan Tap’s “Excursion Fare,” a full production featuring the musicians of Keith Terry and Crosspulse and premiered at the Joyce Theater in New York.
She was invited to work alongside the late Professor Robert L Reed for the production of the St. Louis Tap Festival, which she attended annually for 20 years and served on the Board of Directors.
Maria founded moSTLy TAP in 2017, following her passion to create performances that would boost enthusiasm for tap dance and encourage audiences to enjoy rhythm in new ways.
Maria developed STL Rhythm Collaborative in 2019. The nonprofit organization has growing music and dance education programs, free community engagement events for all ages, and continues to present live music & dance performances through the professional ensembles, moSTLy TAP & moSTLy JAZZ.
STLRC was invited by Chicago Human Rhythm Project to present their work, IN DUE TIME, at the renowned Rhythm World Festival in Chicago in 2022.
STLRC was named by "Dance Magazine" as one of their Top 25 to Watch in 2023 and will be traveling to NYC in summer 2023 to present their work at the magazine's first annual Top 25 celebration.
Maria is a recent graduate of FOCUS St. Louis' Women in Leadership Program (May 2023).
WHAT DOES AN AVERAGE DAY OR WEEK LOOK LIKE?
"During the school year, I teach jazz and tap dance courses M-TH, followed by individual lessons with students. On Fridays, I lead rehearsals with our professional ensemble, moSTLy TAP. I also spend approximately 40 hours a week on administrative tasks related to STLRC's operations and programs. I try to spend as much time as possible with family on weekends. However, many weekends are filled with performance engagements and events. During the summer months, I am teaching summer camps for children, rehearsing and traveling with moSTLy TAP, and working hard to present our annual STL Rhythm Fest, which brings internationally recognized artists to St. Louis for a weekend of master classes and free events. It takes all year to save money and prepare for this event."
IN ONE SENTENCE OR LESS, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT ST. LOUIS' DANCE COMMUNITY?
"COLLABORATION"
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE ST. LOUIS DANCE EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR?
"Our final presentation of IN DUE TIME: A Live Music and Tap Dance Tribute to The Dave Brubeck Quartet, performed by moSTLy TAP and moSTLy JAZZ. Members of our original cast traveled back to St. Louis to join us for this production. It was the first full production we created together and our journey to bring it to fruition is one that will forever be special to all of us."
WHAT ST. LOUIS DANCE EXPERIENCE ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE NEXT YEAR?
"Traveling to NYC with members of moSTLy TAP to perform at Dance Magazine's "Top 25 to Watch" event."
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM AS AN ARTIST?
"I watch a lot of footage of past artists and stay on top of the work that is being presented by groundbreaking artists today. I also listen to a large variety of music, which is often where my inspiration for choreography or show concepts comes from. I draw much inspiration from the dancers in my company. They are so passionate. I want to create the best experiences for them."
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC TO DANCE TO?
"JAZZ!"
TELL US A FUN FACT!
"Not sure how "fun" it is, but I looooove coffee and collect coffee mugs. I also collect key chains to put on my dance bag for every city we've performed in together."
Photos by Katie Strzelec Photography and David Ayres
