Company: Creative Artists of Tennessee
Position: Finance Director
A Native of Newark, New Jersey Maria Ridley was a member of the TSU Aristocrat of Bands as an Alto Saxophonist and graduated with her BBA Degree in Accounting. She received her Master of Science from DeVry University Keller Graduate School of Management and works full-time as an Accounting Supervisor. Maria also serves on three non-profit organizations as Accountant for Women Who Rock Nashville, Board of Directors for Creative Artists of Tennessee, and Director of Community Engagement & Grant Management for the Faith House. She enjoys working in TV Production as a Talent Escort for the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and Black Music Honors annual events. To her credits, Maria has performed as a BGV for Rival Sons, Gospel Artists KT Nichols, Gene Moore, Jazmin Crumley, and Country Music Artist Carrie Underwood. Throughout her acting career, she has performed as lead and/or supporting roles in the following stage plays: "Endure" Film as Ms. Pam (2025); "Where Do I Belong" as Lead Role Ebony 2024; "The Underground" as Psychic (September 2024); "Walk This Way" as Mayor/Jazz Singer (September 2024); "Militancy" as Myra (February 2024); “One Last Song for Christmas” as Noel (December 2023); “Girl Dad” as Lori (September 2023) Lead Role Anita in “The Last Chance Texaco” (June 2023); Rabbit Summer as Claire with Sista Style Productions (May 2022), Militancy as Myra (August 2021) “Another Chance” as Stacy and Karen with KTF productions (February 2019), Holiday at Mama Dees (December 2016) and 143 (October 2016); “Black America the Movie” as Angie (May 2023) as well as “Still Got Joy” as Nicole which are on Amazon Prime; “Fulani the Musical” (July 2022); Broadway musicals were the Wiz (July 2019), Memphis the Musical (July 2018) as well as “HairSpray” as a ‘Dynamite Singer’ (January 2018) at the Center for the Arts in Murfreesboro, TN. “My greatest joy in life is being a mother, leaving a legacy to my children and serving in ministry as a tool in God’s hands.”
2024 Diamond Award - Women Who Rock Nashville
Master of Science in Accountimg MAcc- DeVry University Keller Graduate School of Management
Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting Tennessee State University
My journey in music began playing the flute in middle school and the alto saxophone through my junior year in high school. I was a member of the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands but also developed my passion of singing lead and background vocals since the age of 13. As a worship leader, it is my honor to lead God's people into the tangible presence of the Father to encounter His Love, and Healing. I have over twelve years of acting experience in stage plays, seven years of experience performing in musicals, and 10 years of experience performing in movies/films.
