Maria Silva (Competitive, Recreational) began dancing at the age of 3, at Larkin Dance Studio. She danced competitively, assisted, and taught for the next 17 years of her life. During her time assisting the Larkin staff, she discovered her love for working with children. Throughout her competitive dance years she won many regional and national awards. She was the most sought out after mentor at the studio. Maria studied alongside some of the best choreographers in the country, and performed at many local Minnesota events, but her dance world was so much more than the studio. She choreographed middle and high school musicals, and was a varsity cheerleader and dance team captain. Maria went on to coach the Cretin-Derhan Hall dance team, and in 2004 she represented MN at the Miss Dance and Drill Team USA Pageant as well as Miss Minnesota USA in 2005.