Sit Back. Block. Fly. The Blueprint for Strong, Confident Back Handsprings. From Broadway Dance Center to Acrobatic Arts, Maria Cherniske has built a career inspiring dancers to move with confidence and joy. A professional performer, gymnastics coach, and Acrobatic Arts Course Conductor, Maria joins Loren to talk all things back handsprings; the progressions, drills, and mindset that help dancers master this milestone skill safely. From sit backs to shoulder blocks, she shares simple ways teachers can build strength, power, and confidence in every class. 

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About Maria

Maria Cherniske was born and raised in Connecticut where she took her first class at the age of three. Since then, her passion for the arts has continued to flourish. In addition to being a performer, Maria has taught dance to students of all ages for the past twenty-four years and is a coach for competitive level gymnastics. 

Maria was a competitive gymnast trained by 2004 Olympic coach Alan Hatch and 2004 two-time Olympic silver medalist Annia Hatch. Following college, Maria continued her dance education at the Broadway Dance Center in New York. She trained under Rhapsody James in the 2012 winter session of Motivating Excellence. She was also a member of New York based dance companies Jamie J & Co and Humans Collective. 

Maria has worked with choreographers such as Lisette Bustamante, James Jackson Jr, Dana Foglia, Rhapsody James, Luam Keflezgy, Kelly Peters, Derek Mitchell and Tanisha Scott. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, in an ad for Rocawear clothing, with super-model Coco Rocha at NYC's Fashion's Night Out, on national television with Icona Pop, in a live performance with Jordan Fisher for Nintendo and in a national commercial for the Wendy Williams show.  She was also a principal in a commercial for Affinity Bank. In addition, Maria has done work for Nike and Adidas.  She appeared in Music Videos with popular up and coming artists and performed live with artists Matt Hunter, Carey Nokey, and L Michelle. Maria was the assistant choreographer for Rob Thomas’ music video “I Trust You”, an ad for New Jersey Lotto “Cash Pop” and co-choreographed for the Off-Broadway hit “La Cancion.”

Maria is on guest faculty at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. In 2012 she was selected to be a mentor for the program Creating Opportunities developed by world-renowned choreographers Lisette Bustamante and Chonique Sneed. In 2021 Maria became a member of the staff at Acrobatic Arts as a course conductor and adjudicator. 

Maria is passionate about dance education and loves helping dancers build their confidence and find their voice as an artist.

www.MariaCherniskeDance.com

Weekly Mini Episodes Mentioned by Maria:

Jill Ford | 5 Drills for Back Handsprings (Weekly Mini Ep. 58)

Vicki Fletcher | Key Elements for a Solid & Safe Back Handspring (Weekly Mini Ep. 20) 

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