Maria Ochoa-Schindler

I was born and raised in Ecuador, where she grew up listening and dancing to Latin music. When I was 25, I left Ecuador in order to explore the world. I have lived in New York, Montana, and the Middle East. I have traveled through Europe, as well as the U.S.

While in the Middle East, I was an Elementary School teacher, which is what I did in Ecuador before I left. 

In 2002, I moved back to the U.S. with my husband and first child. I was accepted at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where I got a Masters Degree in Education. In 2003 we settled down in Chaska, MN, where my husband is from. I have been teaching Spanish a the high school here for fifteen years. My life in Chaska has been driven by the deep desire to bring cultures together. My work in the community has deep roots, as I'm an active member and have volunteered my time to support the police department, the public libraries, the local Rotary Club, just to mention some organizations. 

In 2009, my youngest was diagnosed with cancer, so I created the Ecuadorian Children's Cancer Foundation, of which I was also the Chair. This non-profit brought our community together in more ways than anticipated. As years went by, I realized my life needed a change. I missed Ecuador more than ever, and I felt I had to find a different way to bring cultures together. 

I became a Zumba instructor in 2017. I started teaching at a small Community Center, then through Community Education -Eastern Carver County, MN (US). I was hired by the City of Chaska, MN last September, to teach at the Chaska Community Center (Chaska, MN). I started with one class, then it was two. Very soon I was asked to start a program at a trailer park, where we could provide low income women with options for a healthy life style. It is clear to me that the best way to bring people together, regardless of race, language, religion, sexual preference is through dancing. My classes today average 35-40 students. At least 50% are people who have a background other than American. 

This up coming August, I'm going to offer an Aqua Zumba class, and I will continue teaching Zumba Kids classes for low income children during the school year.