Born in Brasilia, Brazil in 1972, her father being a diplomat, she lived in different countries and continents from the age of three. She speaks therefore several languages, including Portuguese, Spanish, French, English, German, Swedish and Dutch.
Studied classical ballet and modern dance at the Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin in Germany for three years, after which she went to Sweden to start working with Caprioli Dance Co. In Stockholm she worked with different choreographers as a free-lance dancer/collaborator.
In 1995, she moved to Brussels to study at P.A.R.T.S.. Classes included composition, music analysis, singing, anatomy, repertory, sociology and dance history among others. Additional formation includes workshops given by David Zambrano, Julyen Hamilton, John Jasperse, Meg Stuart and Wim Vandekeybus among many others.
After her studies, she has been working with Rui Horta, David Hernandez, Willi Dorner (Mazy), Christine De Smedt and Les Ballets C. de la B. (9x9), Sasha Waltz (Dialogue), Thomas Lehmen (Monosubjects) and Tino Sehgal.
She has also been developing her own choreographic work since 96 with pieces such as “Crash”, “Home Sweet Home”, “TRIO” (in collaboration with double-bass player Peter Jacquemyn), “Pin-up Stories”, “Les Histoires d’amour finissent mal…” (Bal Moderne) and “XL, because size does matter”.
In 2002, she worked for Villanella , the production house in Antwerp, by creating “XS”, a piece for children. She was also invited in 2002 by Tanz Performance Koln to collaborate with Portuguese choreographer Lilia Mestre on the creation of a solo “Faces, a solo under influence”.
In 2003, she created “M, an average piece”, (the 3rd part of a trilogy including XL and XS), which has been performed in several countries (Brazil, Canada, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium…). In 2004, Maria Clara took part in a project called Bal Masque in the fashion Museum of Antwerp. In 2005, she worked on a site-specific project ≪ Space Invaders ≫.
“XL, because size does matter” has been performed in more than 10 countries since almost six years and is currently still touring in 2006-2007.