Mariia (Masha) Shumakher began her dance career at the age of six in Chelyabinsk, Russia, where she quickly distinguished herself as a winner and finalist of major competitions both Nationally and Internationally. With 31 years of dance experience and 21 years of professional teaching, she has built a reputation as a world-class instructor, coach, choreographer, and adjudicator.
In 2018, Mariia moved to the United States to join the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Princeton, New Jersey as a Professional Instructor. During her time within the Fred Astaire organization, she became one of its most decorated and respected teachers. Her achievements include:
- Top Female Instructor of the New Jersey Region (2019–2021, 2023–2024)
- Top Instructor of the NJ Regional Team Match (2019–2021, 2022–2025)
- 2nd Place Top Female Instructor – Fred Astaire World Championship (2024)
- Top Female Instructor – Fred Astaire National Dance Championship (2024)
- Top Female Instructor – Fred Astaire Cross Country Dance Championship (2025)
- Top Female Event Professional and Overall Professional of Fred Astaire Company (2024)
As a professional competitor, Mariia has earned titles that highlight her excellence on the dance floor. She is the Fred Astaire National and World Vice Champion in Professional Showdance, the Fred Astaire National Rising Star American Smooth Champion, and a winner of major U.S. Rising Star Smooth competitions, including the Emerald Ball and Millennium Dance Championships.
Today, Mariia is the co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio – North Mount Pleasant, which she proudly leads alongside her professional partner, Oleksandr Isaiev. Together, they form a competitive professional couple and a dynamic business partnership, combining their expertise, artistry, and shared vision to elevate the studio and enrich the community.
At the core of Mariia’s work is a powerful mission: to make dance accessible to as many people as possible and share its transformative ability to enhance life physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. She is dedicated to helping each student discover confidence, growth, and joy through dance.
Renowned for her technical precision, artistic creativity, adjudicating background, and unwavering commitment to student success, Mariia continues to inspire dancers of all ages and levels every day.
