While she initially created custom-made wedding dresses with her cousin Olivinha, her main occupation soon became her role in the Casa do Povo da Camacha Folklore Group which she joined in 1949 after being encouraged to do so by the main dancer, António Martins, and by Carlos Santos, the artistic director. She remained a passionate member of the group for the rest of her life.[2]
Maria Ascensão managed to make the group more attractive as she brought a happier, more pleasant touch to their traditional dances while recruiting and training new members. With the assistance of her husband, she undertook leadership of the group for 42 years. Unlike similar groups, thanks to excellent presentations, meticulous music and colourful traditional costumes, Casa do Povo da Camacha remained successful as the years went by, gaining a place as one of Madeira's cultural attractions both at home and abroad.[2]
After gaining second place at the 1949 International Dance Contest in Madrid, the group was invited to perform in mainland Portugal and in Biarritz, France, as well as at Funchal's theatre and the city's leading hotels. Ascensão was effective in interviews and musical presentations of the radio and was covered in magazine articles. Thanks to her leadership, the group gained further attention in the mid-1950s as they performed at festivals in Llangollen, Wales, and in Braga, Portugal. In 1965, they visited Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1971 Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in 1973 New Bedford, USA, and in 1978 they toured Venezuela.[2]
In 1984, Ascensão played a key role contributing lost traditional songs and music to Madeira's Whitsuntide celebrations, gaining wide recognition for her efforts.[2]
Maria Ascensão continued to sing and dance until the day before she died in Camacha on 18 March 2001.[4]
