about Maarika

My first job was teaching people how to dance, and I grew up dancing competitively, so I’m always the most comfortable and happy when I’m in-studio.

In university, I began choreographing for theatre, and often found myself working with actors who were terrified to be seen dancing on stage. Suddenly, I discovered a brand new passion: helping people to feel comfortable, confident, and safe being seen while dancing.

Before LEG WARMERS on the BEACH @ The Dance Centre, Vancouver CANADA

After LEG WARMERS on the BEACH @ Bikurei HaItim in Tel Aviv, ISRAEL

Selected Choreography & Teaching Experience

  • Dance Instructor, Premiere Studio of Dance (Peterborough, Ontario, CANADA) 2003-2006
    jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, and hip-hop

  • Choreographer, Sydney University Drama Society (Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA) 2008
    Da Vinci Code: The Musical (2008)

  • Company Choreographer, red light district (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA) 2008-2013
    the resistible rise of arturo ui (2013)

    troilus and cressida (2012)

    la ronde (2011)

    methusalem (2010)

    ivana: princess of burgundia (2009)

  • Choreographer, The Stage TLV (Tel Aviv, ISRAEL)
    Miscast 4 (2022)

Before LEG WARMERS on the BEACH @ City Dance Corps in Toronto, CANADA

Unfortunately, and ironically, after a series of back-to-back traumatic events, I stopped dancing because it didn't feel safe anymore. I wanted to hide from the world and dancing made me feel too exposed and vulnerable. So while dance is a language that comes naturally to me, I also understand first-hand how terrifying it can be to show up in-studio.

After some time away from my craft, and almost by accident, I found myself back in the theatre, teaching choreography again. I forgot how much I loved dancing and teaching people how to feel safe moving their bodies - and this is how soft focus came to be. It's a major labour of love paired with decades of professional experience.

A critically acclaimed choreographer on both sides of the equator, Maarika focuses on keeping the atmosphere as accessible as possible to all levels, and usually throws in a few kooky moves to her routines to keep the choreography light, fun, and something you'll want to do over and over again.

And when she’s not teaching, Maarika is probably on set or in the theatre herself. You can check out her award-winning play, PEACHES, here.

After THE “BRITNEY” CLASS @ Ballet BC in Vancouver, CANADA