Maria is the most patient, bubbly and easy to get along dance teacher. She choreographed our 1st dance for our wedding. We had a great time practicing our 1st dance to the song we chose for our wedding. She customized our dance routine to look elegant and easy for us to remember the steps. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Maria for any wedding preps also her dance get togethers! ***** read more

Maria is outstanding! While I knew her from other social events, my then fiancee and I seeked her help for our wedding dance. I HATE dancing and I don't like to be criticized ever. Unlike the other reviews, she made me feel very much at ease. We learned quickly and it was a great experience. read more

My wife and I found Maria's dance studio on Groupon last year in anticipation of our wedding. We had over eight private sessions for a choreographed song to Frank Sinatra's "fly me to the moon". The classes were so much fun and as someone who was not confident in their ability to dance, our wedding dance was a huge hit. There is no doubt in my mind that Maria is a top-notch instructor. After the wedding we still participate in the beginner tango/salsa class and really enjoy meeting new people and learning new moves! My wife and I both highly recommend Maria's dance studio for anyone who wants to learn or improve there dancing skills. She's very flexible with scheduling and has convenient locations across Stamford Connecticut. read more

If you want to learn how to dance chose a different school. Worst experience ever! Very unprofessional and rude. First of all after we signed up for the class she was supposed to let us know when the class starts- she didnt, we had to call her all the time to find out the exact date. When we started the class we were the only beginners with others already being more or less experienced although she said that was ok and we will be able to catch up! Another lie! The class was oriented for those who already were more or less familiar with the dance. And also being the weakest students dont we get a little bit more attention from the teacher? At least could she approach us and show what we were doing wrong? Or ask if we had questions? She never even looked our way! Never! And whenever we wanted her help and were seeking an eye contact to ask her she would turn away and we felt really awkward after that. She totally didnt pay attention to us and we had to learn some of the basic steps ourselves-by watching an online class on youtube at home. And man, how we wanted to learn!!! She never danced with me or my partner to help us and show what was wrong and very often we just had to stand and watch others when everybody else was practicing the steps because we just didnt know how! Sometimes other instructors from the same school or even students would approach us trying to help- she didnt EVER dance with us. Instead she would dance with somebody who already could dance, as if she was looking for a partner for herself to enjoy the dance and not teach . And you know I am not a bad dancer! I went to a dance school before and all I needed was a little bit more attention from the instructor to be able to catch up with others. But isnt this why we go to the dance school- to learn? When we tried to talk to her about it and express our frustration all she could say was to blame us saying that we didn't want to dance and that we needed to practice more ( haha what to practice if we only knew the basic step thanks to youtube!) and to our concern that we didnt get enough of her attention she offered private lessons for an additional charge of course! There were many other very discouraging details on her side that I dont even want to write about.. Anyhow after hearing from her how bad we are and how unpassionate about the dance we are, etc we quit her classes and guess what? I AM dancing now! I went to a different school, were the staff is more friendly and instructors will do just anything to help you and make sure you got it right. In the first class they corrected my posture, explained some of the important things that she never cared to explain and I started learning. Right now I am in an advanced class and very passionate about it. So I would really recommend you think twice before getting signed up for Maria Fiora classes. If she likes you- you maybe will learn something, I dont know, but if she doesnt - consider it a waste of your time, money and nerves, plus you get very much discouraged by her. read more

I have been dancing all my life from ballet to ballroom. I took classes for years in ballroom at Fred Astaire, Arthur Murray and other private studios. I went to one of Maria Fiora's classes a few years ago. The incident has bothered me ever since. She stood on the side lines laughing at people. Actually pointing and laughing at them! Aren't they there to learn? What is so funny? Oh, right you are a 'star' the people who pay you are only learning or "amateurs". That's right!! On top of this, I went to this class without my husband who was traveling for business. He and I have danced together for years. Maria's brother asked for my telephone number? I guess he goes to her classes to hit on the women who are there alone. NOT COOL! POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES ALL AROUND! I see someone else here had a similar experience. Proves my point, some people are just unprofessional! read more

When I lived in Stamford, my husband (then fiancee) and I took dance lessons with Maria for a year and she choreographed an amazing wedding dance for us that people still talk about. We have used the skills she taught us with Tango, swing, rumba, and the hustle to continue to WOW people when we go to other events/weddings. I had so much fun that I stayed involved even after my wedding and joined her performance dance group. Her and her studio are what I miss most about Stamford! read more

I have known Maria for 20 years and have seen all of her locations. They just keep getting better and better, I can't wait to see the one that is about to open! Maria's classes are fun and upbeat. Everyone has a great time. I have been to many dance studios in the tri-state area and Maria's students tend to be younger, which is great. Her classes are balanced as far as a male-female ratio is concerned, which is very important. She sometimes has more men than women, and she has had me join classes on occasion because she needed an extra woman, which is really rare. Ask any woman who takes dance classes. She also organizes outings for her students to go social dancing in the city, which gives everyone a chance to use what they learned. I am looking forward to seeing great things come from Maria's studio, and some great dancers! read more