Maya Mansukhani

I started dance at the age of 5 in Japan. I have a traditional upbringing with strict ballet, and jazz from the 80s era. When I moved to America at 13 dance was the only thing that made me happy. I felt lost in this new environment but dance was a constant safe place. In middle school I joined our competitive company at Southern Dance Theater in West Palm Beach Florida. I danced 5 night a week from 5-9 pm throughout middle school and high school. I continued on to collegiate dance team, performance companies, runway shows and more. Now 35 years into dancing it’s my joy to share dance with the next generation and I am always amazed at how far our art has grown and how impressive this current level of dance is for kids. 

What is your favorite memory during a performance or a class?
​Favorite memory, there are so many, perhaps most recently being invited to the Stewart-Owen contemporary company in Asheville and all the barre classes where we created community. 
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What dance genre is you favorite?
Modern-contemporary

What do you always have to bring to the studio with you?
My water bottle is always with me.