Maria-Monica Koo biography

Maria-Monica Koo
Artistic Director for Gainesville Ballet School

Maria-Monica Koo was graduated from the famed Russian school, the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., where she received a full scholarship during the six-year program of study.  

As a student, Miss Maria’s education includes the School of American Ballet, Sun-Hwa School of the Arts, La Roche College, and the North Carolina School of the Arts.  She has also trained with experts in her discipline to include a Master Class with the Paris Opera Ballet, and with Suzanne Farrell at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.  Miss Maria earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Performing Arts from La Roche College, with her area of specialization in Dance.  The Pittsburgh Ballet Guild recognized Miss Maria as a young talented dancer, and she was selected for an award and scholarship during her years of study at La Roche.

As a dancer, Miss Maria has performed in many professional roles.  Her experience as a performer and choreographer has spanned the globe through ballet companies such as Colorado Ballet, Ballet Theatre National, Buffalo City Ballet, and Universal Ballet.  She has danced with the Kirov’s Nutcracker, and on tour in New York, Florida, Mexico, and New Orleans.  Throughout her career, Maria has adapted her style to both classical and contemporary productions of Swan Lake, Giselle, Nutcracker, Paquita, La Bayadere, Don Quixote, La Sylphide, Stars and Stripes, Romeo and Juliet, and Serenade.  Miss Maria has performed in many leading roles such as Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, and Odette-Odile in Swan Lake.

As a teacher, Miss Maria has instructed aspiring dancers at The Washington School of Ballet, Reston Conservatory Ballet, and Buffalo City Ballet.  From stage to classroom, and to stage again, she understands the link between performance and mastery of art.