maria maragaki

Maria Maragaki has had a passion for the performing arts since early childhood. She was born and raised in Greece in an artistic environment where she was lucky enough to be surrounded by a variety of multicultural influences. Her dancing career started in 1981 when she focused on classical dance at Morianov Ballet School in Greece and is being continued with on-going training until now. This has served as the benchmark for a lifelong training in dance.

Although her roots were in studying dances from the Greek tradition she was inspired to widen her horizons towards Spain and Argentina. Falling in love with the music and dance of Flamenco, she began advanced training in Europe. This journey in ethnic music and dance led her to discover the culture of Argentina where the passion and magic of the Tango captured her soul. Since then she has undergone training by well-known dancers and teachers in Europe and Argentina such as Raul Bravo, Angela Ruth Manonellas and Andreas Erbsen, Andres “Tanguito” Cejas and Genoveva Fernandez. Other important maestros include Mimi Santapa, Stella Barba, Fernando Sanchez, Nayla Vacca, Natacha Poberaj, Juan Cabrerra, Ricardo Oria and Jenny Frances, Pablo Rodríguez, Daniel Rodriguez, Hugo “Gato” Valdez and Andrea Monti, Eduardo “El Gaucho” Villegas.

Maria has also studied music intensively, specialising in classical form. In 1998 she graduated from The National Conservatory in Greece with Distinction In Piano Performance. Her interest in music extends to studying traditional/folk music in order to understand the form and structure of the different dances associated with it.

Maria’s extensive teaching experience includes teaching Argentinean Tango to adults as well as piano and music to young people. With Guillermo they give workshops of Argentinean Tango also in schools. She also takes Flamenco and Greek dancing classes mainly in primary schools for the Newcastle Music Service but also runs workshops in secondary and high schools. 

Maria’s considerable dance performance career started in ballet. Traditional Greek dancing tours followed. She has performed in theatres and collaborated with festivals and tours. She regularly takes part in dances and festivals at various British art venues mostly with the flamenco band “Electroflamenko”. Since 2009 she has been perfroming Argentinean Tango with Guillermo Torrens in various art venues and festivals.