Meet Maria Garcia

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maria Garcia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maria below.

Hi Maria, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My confidence and self-esteem have definitely been part of a lifelong journey. Growing up, I wasn’t naturally confident, but I had a clear sense of what I wanted, even as a child. This helped me slowly work towards building my confidence. When I began professional dance training at 18, I would see people move with such presence and ease in the studio, totally comfortable in front of the class. That wasn’t me—I avoided the front of the room and found it hard to look at myself in the mirror. This struggle bled into my self-esteem, and I was my own toughest critic.

But I realized something needed to change, so I began focusing on the things that brought me joy and made me feel good. My love for dance became the foundation. I poured myself into movement and exploration, which gave me a new perspective on myself and the world around me. Immersing myself in what I loved allowed me to feel comfortable in my own skin, and slowly, confidence grew from that place. That’s when I truly started feeling empowered in my own expression.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m currently a company member with CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater, where I’ve had the privilege of performing and teaching for the past three years. This opportunity has truly been a dream come true. I’d followed CONTRA-TIEMPO since my early college years, always in awe not only of the powerful work they created but also of the impact they made in the community. As an artist, I’ve always been drawn to work with depth and meaning—I’m not a surface-level person, and that naturally extends to my art. From the start of my creative journey, I’ve developed pieces deeply rooted in my Latine heritage, and discovering CONTRA-TIEMPO felt like finding my artistic home.

As a creator, my goal is to bring artists together through thought-provoking, innovative performances that incorporate visual arts, live music, and dance. My work is grounded in my Latine heritage and inspired by the cultural, spiritual, and emotional connections that shape the world around us. From the beginning of my choreographic exploration, I’ve been driven to create pieces that make statements—stories that center on the Latine experience in the United States and the unique challenges of being an immigrant. Beyond creating, my primary goal is to expand access to the arts for underserved communities, sharing the joy and transformative power of creativity.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Throughout my journey, I’ve had to learn patience, self-love, and relentless drive. Since I wasn’t a trained dancer from a young age, I often felt like I was playing catch-up. I would walk into rooms filled with incredibly skilled dancers, and I wasn’t one of them—yet. It took immense patience, a deep love for myself, and faith in the work I was doing to help me push through those moments of self-doubt. I had to remind myself that my journey was uniquely my own. While I didn’t have the early start or the same resources that many other dancers did, I discovered I had something even more powerful: a true passion for what I was doing and the grit to work tirelessly to achieve it. Year after year, I pushed myself and my body past limits I didn’t know I had, and I continue to do so, motivated by the love I have for this art.

For those who are early in their journey, remember that it’s truly about the process, not just the destination. Be patient with yourself; every skill requires time, practice, and dedication to grow. Invest in yourself because, ultimately, no one else can do it for you. Take as many classes as you need, be in every room you can, create connections, and pour your energy into what truly matters to you. If you want something, commit your whole self to it. Trust in your potential, believe in your work, and give yourself the grace to grow into your dreams.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

As an emerging artist in Los Angeles, I’m constantly seeking collaboration across artistic disciplines. Though I’m a movement artist at heart, I find boundless inspiration working with musicians, writers, filmmakers, and visual artists who bring unique perspectives to the creative process. My work is deeply rooted in my Latin heritage, and collaborating with artists who share similar cultural or lived experiences has always been vital to me. It creates a special unity and mutual understanding, helping us bring a more authentic, nuanced vision to life.

Lately, I’ve been especially drawn to exploring dance and movement for film. There’s something incredibly powerful about capturing raw emotion and lived experiences on camera. Film allows us to frame movement in intimate, dynamic ways, reaching people beyond the stage and creating lasting impact. I’m excited to develop work that tells stories of resilience, passion, and heritage through dance on screen.

If you’re an artist interested in collaborating—whether in film, music, writing, or visual art—I’d love to connect and see what we can create together! Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram at @beingme_mari. Let’s make something incredible!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingme_mari

Image Credits

Photo credits

Pamela Garcia
Ervin Aran
Sandy Altamirano