Born in Brasilia, Brazil in 1972, 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.
Maria Clara studied classical ballet and modern dance at the Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin in Germany for three years, than she went to Sweden to start working with Caprioli Dance Co and worked with different choreographers as a free-lance dancer/collaborator. From 1995, she started to study at P.A.R.T.S.(Brussels), and additional workshops given by David Zambrano, Julyen Hamilton, John Jasperse, Meg Stuart and Wim Vandekeybus among many others.
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.
From 1996 she was developing her own choreographic work : “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:“XS”, a piece for children Vianella (Antwerp)
In 2002 she worked together with Lilia Mestre (P) on her solo “Faces, a solo under influence”(Tanz Performance Koln)
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.