• Duncan Cooper

    Former principle dancer with San Francisco Ballet and Dance Theater of Harlem. Former member of New York City Dance Alliance and currently a member of the faculty at Alonso King Lines Ballet. Mr Cooper is also Director of the MODAS Dance Summer Intensive and International Workshops.

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Summer Intensive

Maria Verdeja School of the Arts

Great time at the MVSA Summer Intensive in Miami! Looking forward to next year!

The Maria Verdeja School of the Arts was founded in 1987.  Its original location, in Coral Gables, soon expanded to include studios in Key Biscayne and Kendall.  MVSA has dedicated itself to teaching children and young women of all ages in classical ballet as well as jazz, hip-hop, tap dance, flamenco, lyrical dance, pointe & variations.  At the school, Maria oversees a talented team of over 40 teachers and support staff. Today, MVSA is comprised of two schools:  The School of Dance and The School of Music.

Throughout the years, over 10,000 students have passed through its doors.  Some of its many successful students have gone onto professional careers in dance companies, began their own dance studios, are heading dance programs in magnet schools and are even found performing on Broadway.
In 2009, MVSA moved to its new location in Coral Gables with a facility which includes dance studios, costume rooms with over 4,500 costumes, dressing rooms and locker rooms, and a magnificent theater (The Prado Theater) fully equipped with a state of the art lighting and sound system.

Great students, and facilities not to mention amazing  Miami weather.

Duncan Cooper

A core value Maria instills in her students, teachers and staff, is the importance of supporting the community and those in need. In the local community, MVSA has participated in numerous charitable events.  Among the many charitable institutions and non-profit agencies which MVSA has supported include Univeristy of Miami Aids Research Project,  Tsunami Victims Fundraising, South Miami Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Miami Children’s Hospital, School of Corpus Cristi, Homestead Orphanage (St. Anne Mission), and Centro Mater.  Local schools where MVSA has supported include St. Theresa, St. Timothy, St. Thomas the Apostle, Belen Jesuit, Pinecrest Elementary, Carrolton School of the Most Sacred Heart and The Learning Experience.  MVSA has participated in the City of Coral Gables “Holiday Tree Lighting” for over 20 years and the Village of Key Biscayne’s “Winterfest” event for over 10 years.  Other events include Cornucopia Festival of the Arts at Vizcaya for over 10 years.  At each of these events, MVSA students have given their gift of dance to their community and helped those in need.  Through the support of her community, Maria and the MVSA are an example of stewardship and leadership to local artists and business owners.

Over the years, numerous awards have also been awarded to the MVSA. Among the awards received are:

  1. Latin Women of the Year Award
  2. Key to City of Coral Gables Recipient
  3. The Golden Emblem of the City of Coral Gables
  4. Tsunami Relief fundraiser:  Appreciation Award
  5. T National Republican Congressional Committee
  6. National Leadership Award from the Business Advisory Council
  7. Certificate of Participation from Deaf Services Bureau
  8. Volunteer Recognition for Nova University Cervantes Award
  9. Orange Bowl Parade Participation Award





Recent Portfolios

UPA National Dance Competition
UPA National Dance Competition
DUNCAN'S HOUSTON BALLET MASTERCLASS
DUNCAN'S HOUSTON BALLET MASTERCLASS
KANSAS CITY BALLET - JUNIOR SUMMER INTENSIVE
KANSAS CITY BALLET - JUNIOR SUMMER INTENSIVE
Ballet/ Modern/ Choreography
Maria Verdeja School of the Arts Miami
Maria Verdeja School of the Arts Miami
Summer Intensive 2016