Our Patrons
Maria Sascha Khan
Maria Sascha Khan is an international ballerina and former Principal Dancer of the Ekaterinburg State Ballet. Born on the porch of a log cabin in Montana, USA, she began her path to becoming a professional ballet dancer when, age ten, she was discovered by a former Bolshoi Ballet dancer.
Maria Sascha’s love of and personal connection to Malaysia spans decades. Her yearly visits to Malaysia gave her a unique understanding and international perspective on the development of our ballet scene. We are proud to welcome her as a patron of Federal Academy of Ballet, and excited to be bringing her international expertise, knowledge, and commitment to the development of ballet in Malaysia, to FAB. Maria Sascha was trained under Luidmila Morkovina, at the Kirov Academy of Ballet, and under the personal mentorship of Marika Besobrasova (coach to Nureyev and Fonteyn) at the Academie de Danse Classique de Princesse Grace, Monte Carlo. She attended summers at The Royal Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet and American Ballet Theatre on scholarship. Graduating with honours, Maria Sascha was invited by Vladimir Malakhov to join the Staatsballett Berlin. That year it was ranked one of the top five companies in the world. Dancing a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire she continued her career with the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, the English National Ballet of London and as Principal dancer of the Ekaterinburg State Ballet, Russia. Along with her performing career Maria Sascha is the Artistic Director of the Yellowstone International Arts Festival, and “Ballet Legacy Master Class” programs worldwide. She has adjudicated as a jury member for international ballet competitions, is a Mentor for non-profit arts organisation Youth Arts in Action, brand ambassador for Gaynor Minden and an ambassador for London based charity, Save Wild Tigers. Maria Sascha is currently pursuing her Master Degree at Central Saint Martins, in London. Her resume includes commercials for Honda Acura and Löwe, twelve page cover feature for Malaysia Tatler, Elle magazine, feature for HotBook Mexico, eight-page Singapore Tatler feature, and a major feature in the Washington Post. Maria Sascha is an accomplished public speaker and produces an online video series called "Inspiring Artists". Her passion is to give back and inspire others through the beauty of the Arts. |
Maria and her siblings - A ballet legacy
Maria Sascha Khan |