Join Ukraine-born Nazar Batih and Mariko Cantley of Cambridge, MA in celebration of their Tenth Anniversary as dance partners, as they continue to expand their international audiences with their unique style of ballroom dance to make this ever-evolving art form accessible to all.
Nazar was born and raised in Lviv, Ukraine. He started dancing when he was five and was the Juvenile Western Ukrainian Champion in Ballroom and Latin, and a youth and amateur finalist in competitions throughout Europe. In 2006 Nazar moved to New York City where he taught at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, performed during Vegas Week of So You Think You Can Dance, Season Five and was featured on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” Christmas Spectacular with Regis and Kelly.
In 2009 Nazar was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At that time most dancers and athletes with this diagnosis gave up their vocation. Instead, Nazar decided to start competing professionally.
Mariko was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She started dancing at age five, studying classical ballet for thirteen years, training at Boston Ballet, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, and the American Academy of Ballet. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Harvard University in Intellectual History. At Harvard she discovered ballroom dance, serving as the Captain of the Harvard Ballroom Dance Team, and turning professional while finishing her degree.
Nazar and Mariko began dancing together in 2012. They are two-time United States Ballroom Showdance Champions, World Ballroom Showdance Silver Medalists and two-time World Ballroom Showdance Finalists. Other results include Canadian Open Professional Ballroom Champions, US Open Professional Ballroom Finalists, Eastern United States Professional Ballroom Champions, Eastern United States Showdance Champions, World Masters Showdance Champions, and US National Professional Rising Star Finalists.
Doors open at 7pm.
Cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
VIP Tickets include pre-performance reception at 6:30pm, free parking, and $60 tax-deductible contribution.