Maria Leto began her passion for music and dance at a young age from her father, an award-winning children's composer, educator and musician, and her mother, a professional dancer and model.

Her performance as Velma Kelly in Chicago at the Centre for the Arts Theatre received rave reviews: "Maria superbly plays Velma Kelly." The Morning Call wrote "Those familiar with the 2002 movie version will find a striking resemblance, both in looks and talent, between Catherine Zeta-Jones, who played the leading role of Velma in the motion picture, and Maria Leto who re-creates the role for Centre for the Arts. Leto's Velma is smart, sassy and drop-dead gorgeous. Her effervescent smile lights up the small theater."