Maria Fernanda Papa began her rigorous ballet training at the age of seven at the Vladimir Issaev School of Classical Ballet in Miami, Florida, where she studied under Vladimir Issaev, Giselle Deya, Luana Hidalgo, and other faculty. During her training, she performed with Arts Ballet Theater of Florida in productions, with leading roles including Clara and Dewdrop in “The Nutcracker,” Medora in the “Le Corsaire” pas de deux, and Jeanne in the “Flames of Paris” pas de deux. Her repertoire also includes productions such as “Paquita,” “Danzón,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “The Rite of Spring,” among many others.

Following her training in Miami, Maria continued her classical ballet education at America’s Ballet School in Tampa, where she studied under Luana Hidalgo, Osmany Montano, and Paula Nuñez, graduating in 2021. Throughout her training, Maria participated in American Dance Competition, Universal Ballet Competition, and Miami International Ballet Competition, receiving multiple awards and scholarships.

In 2021, Maria joined Tampa City Ballet, where she has continued to develop as both a dancer and educator. With the company, she has performed leading roles including Cinderella in “Cinderella,” Frida Kahlo in “If I Cry,” Micaëla in “Carmen,” and the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in “The Nutcracker,” as well as roles in other productions. Alongside her performance career, Maria continues to teach ballet, sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of dancers. She is passionate about classical ballet and strives to inspire her students through the same discipline, artistry, and love for dance that have shaped her own journey.