Maia’s Story
Biography
My parents and my brother were always my biggest inspiration.
1985-
01 Maia’s Youth
Maia was born in Tbilisi, Georgia into an artist’s family. Her parents, Nikoloz and Marina, were dancers at the Georgian National Ballet, and her older brother, David, is also a dancer, formerly a principal with The Royal Ballet. Immersed in the theater’s atmosphere from childhood, Maia felt her path was clear from a young age. At the age of nine, she began her formal training at the Vakhtang Chabukiani Choreographic Institute in Tbilisi.
When I was growing up, I was always very determined. Becoming a dancer takes a lot of willpower.
2002-
02 From Georgia to United States
The prevailing political and economic climate in Georgia at the time, coupled with her father’s appointment at the Sun Valley Ballet School in Idaho, US, prompted her family’s move there. Maia continued her training in Idaho. At the age of 16, her triumph in the Denver Ballet Guild competition led to a contract with Colorado Ballet. Within a short time, Maia was dancing leading roles, resulting in her elevation to principal at 19. However, after five years in Colorado, a desire for a bigger company and proximity to Europe led her to seek new artistic opportunities.
The career of a dancer is very short, and there is no time to wait for things to happen.
2006-
03 New Beginnings in Europe
In 2006, she relocated to England – where her brother was then dancing as a principal with The Royal Ballet – and joined Birmingham Royal Ballet as a soloist. Nonetheless, the challenges of adapting to her new life in England prompted her to find a different path. A year later in 2007, Maia joined Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam, Netherlands as a grand sujet. This was a place where she had fallen in love with and dreamed of living since 12, after seeing her brother perform with the company.
At first, I didn’t think I had a chance of being hired. Everyone in the company is so tall, and I am very small. In the end, I was hired as a soloist.
2010-
04 Dancing Globally
Beginning as a soloist, Maia ascended to principal dancer within three years. Today, in addition to her work with Dutch National Ballet, she performs globally as a guest artist. Her exceptional talent has been recognized with numerous awards, notably the Dancer of the Year Award (Critics’ Choice Dance Europe, 2020), the Outstanding Achievement in Ballet Award (Ballet Icons Gala, London, 2025), and many more.
“Everything always used to revolve around my career, but motherhood has put it all in a different perspective.”
2017-
05 Mother of Luka
Maia’s son Luka was born in 2017. Despite the demanding balance of a ballerina’s career and motherhood, since his birth, he remains her foremost priority. She cherishes moments when Luka can accompany her to performances around the world, and her every endeavour is driven by a desire to provide him with the best possible future.
