It all started in Portugal....
In 1991, at just sixteen years old, I stood on a small stage we had built in the corner of our local library. It wasn’t glamorous—just a few props, a backdrop, and an audience of wide-eyed children aged four to six, many from deeply challenging backgrounds. Most had never set foot in a library, never sat in the magic hush of a performance space, never seen a story leap from the page.
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Our project was called Bringing Books to Life, funded by the local council to ignite a love for reading and performance. But for me, it was about something deeper—giving these children the beginnings of a musical and creative identity long before the confines of formal schooling could shape it.
Each child received a welcome pack: books to spark the imagination, pencils and pads to capture their own stories, a generous snack for the day, and—most importantly—the gift of vivid memories.
Memories of voices that gave characters breath, of rhythms that made stories dance, of sound and movement intertwining in ways that would echo far beyond that summer.
I remember their questions, their astonishment, their laughter. I remember the light in their eyes when they realised they were not just passive listeners—they were part of the performance. In those moments, music and learning weren’t abstract subjects; they were lived experiences. That summer transformed me. It taught me that a child’s artistic and learning identity begins not in the classroom, but in the moments we create for them from birth—in community spaces where joy, curiosity, and creativity are allowed to run free.
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Since then, I’ve carried a conviction: parents and carers should be empowered to take greater control over their children musical and creative selves early, shaping them not by tradition alone, but by experiences that open their hearts and minds without feeling less able than teachers.
Since 1991...
Today, Maria Moreira-Edwards is the Founder and Director of Maria Moon Music, based in Shoeburyness, Essex. Inspired by her early experiences, she brings a lifelong passion for music that began at age 3. Maria’s vision centers on empowering parents, carers, and families to take active control over their children’s musical identity, in informal spaces, especially during those critical early years. She is keen to empower Music learning in home schooling environments where musical engagement can have lasting impact.
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With over 25 years of experience learning music, teaching, conducting choirs, and directing musicals, Maria has built her expertise working across schools, diverse community groups, and international stages. She has also contributed her skills as a GEMS Choir Festival Judge in Dubai, blending leadership with a commitment to musical excellence and inclusivity.
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Maria’s formal training includes qualifications from Trinity College London (ATCL in Voice), ABRSM in Piano and Music Theory, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Nottingham. She is a versatile musician, proficient in piano, African drums, percussion, ukulele, recorder, harmonica, and ocarina. Her music sessions integrate the best yearly years methods from the Music Play Early Childhood Curriculum, blending E. Gordon’s music learning theory, enriched by Dalcroze, Kodaly and Off methodologies. ​
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Maria has decades of experience teaching music in early years and primary. She considers that its essential that parents and carers take control of their child's musical identity through informal music making and teaching.
"Music making, should not be the privilege of the few. I want parents and carers to take back control of their child's musical identity."
It is essential for parents and carers to reclaim control over their child’s musical identity, becoming active participants and leaders in their family’s musical journey. When families, especially those homeschooling or navigating additional needs, take charge of music learning at home, they give their children a unique and lasting advantage. This early engagement not only shapes a child’s “musical brain,” boosting cognitive, social, and emotional development, but also creates cherished musical experiences that resonate for a lifetime. Empowering families to weave music into daily life builds confidence, creativity, and connection—ensuring music is a shared language of joy and expression accessible to all.
Victoria, London, UK
“The sessions are a blast. My twins love it. It's reassuring to know that all MMM staff are experienced music teachers, in EY classrooms who are DBS checked. "
Joan, Benfleet, UK
"Our son is autistic and after attending Maria's sessions he has become confident in joining in playing basic rhythms and even singing sometimes. It's very encouraging."
Rosie, Southend, UK
“Every session is a journey of discovery. We learn so much as parents so that we can continue to shape out daughter's music experiences at home. Everyday if we want.”