David and Dania
From Circopedia
DAVID MAAS AND DANIA KASEEVA – Quick-Change Act
By Dominique Jando
Born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Dania Kaseeva is the daughter of Soviet circus legend Rustam Kaseev, a celebrated acrobat and bear trainer. After training in acrobatics and dance, Dania created a unique hula-hoop act with which she made her professional debut at age fifteen. Her amazing technique, dynamic choreography, and magnetic stage presence won her a Gold Medal at the 1988 Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris.
Dania subsequently toured internationally with the Moscow Circus, eventually landing in the United States in 1990, where she became a show headliner. After the fall of the Soviet Union, she became an independent performer, and was featured at the Big Apple Circus in 1992. She then settled in the U.S. and appeared in various shows, notably the Royal Hanneford Circus, where she met her future husband and partner, David Maas.
The son of a German-born concert pianist, David Michael Maas was born in the U.S. and made his circus debut with a slack-wire juggling act. His singing talent, however, led him into a successful career as a singing ringmaster(American, English) The name given today to the old position of Equestrian Director, and by extension, to the presenter of the show. for various shows in the U.S. and England, among which Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada. A student of magic, David also practiced this speciality in parallel with his work as a ringmaster(American, English) The name given today to the old position of Equestrian Director, and by extension, to the presenter of the show..
Dania and David created their mesmerizing quick-change act in 1996. They have since been featured in circuses, nightclubs, variety and TV shows, cruise ships, and special events all over the world. Their act won a Gold Medal at the International Circus Festival of Enschede, Holland, in 1999.
See Also
- Biography: Dania Kaseeva
- Video: David & Dania, Quick-Change Act, in the Big Apple Circus production of Clown Around Town (2000)
