Sarah Maida began taking dance classes at the Brandywine YMCA at 3 years old. When she was 9, she began studying with Victor Wesley, Arthur Hutchinson, and Susan Lawrence at the Academy of the Dance, Wilmington Ballet. While at the Academy, Ms. Sarah studied classical ballet, variations, partnering, character, and musical theater. She had many performance opportunities at the Playhouse Theater and danced roles such as “Clara”, “Snow Queen”, and “Dew Drop” in The Nutcracker and “Gamzatti” in La Bayadere.

Under the tutelage of Mr. Wesley, Ms. Sarah began student teaching and by the time she graduated, she was solo teaching at all levels including: character, pre-pointe, pas de deux, variations, and adult classes. Ms. Sarah also trained with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and The Washington School of Ballet with renowned faculty including: Marcia Dale Weary, Melinda Howe, Darla Hoover, Alan Hineline, Jonathan Stafford, Victoria Leigh, and Rudolf Kharatian. While at the Washington School of Ballet, Ms. Sarah performed roles in Paquita and George Balanchine’s Serenade.

Upon graduating high school, Ms. Sarah accepted a contract with Ballet Theatre of Maryland, under the direction of Dianna Cuatto. While with BTM, Ms. Sarah trained and performed with the company for their regular season performances, as well as many different outreach performances in the community. Ms. Sarah performed roles in Coppelia, The Firebird, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Excalibur, Beauty and the Beast, and Sleepy Hollow, as well as original works by Dianna Cuatto and Meagan Helman. Her favorite roles include: Juliet’s friend in Romeo and Juliet, “Little Swans” in Swan Lake, and as a step-sister in Cinderella.

While dancing with BTM, Ms. Sarah joined the faculty of their school, under the direction Nicole Kelsch, where she taught and choreographed for all levels.

Ms. Sarah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her 5 children (3 of whom are DDC students!) and husband. This is her first season teaching with DDC and she is so excited to spend more time in the studios working with students!