Maya Canestaro

San Antonio, TX

Maya Canestaro was born in San Antonio, Texas, and started her ballet training locally with Ballet San Antonio Academy and Ballet Conservatory of South Texas. At the age of 16, she was accepted into the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where she specialized in ballet for her last two years of high school. During this time, Maya attended summer courses with the American Ballet Theater, Ellison Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet.

After graduating from UNCSA, Maya moved to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago, where she earned her bachelor's degree in public policy with minors in human rights and philosophy. While attending university, Maya danced with Ballet Chicago's studio company.

Upon graduation, Maya joined Kansas City Ballet's second company for two seasons. During her time there, she performed in various productions, including Septime Webre's The Wizard of Oz, Devon Carney's The Nutcracker, Devon Carney's Giselle, Devon Carney's Cinderella, and Mark Morris' Sandpaper.

Maya's most cherished performances include dancing the role of Sugar Plum in Balanchine's The Nutcracker at Ballet Chicago and performing in Devon Carney's The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center.