BIO
MARIA SKAKUN
Storyteller. Leader. Motivator.
Maria Skakun was born and raised in Chernogolovka, Moscow region, Russia. Her carrier started with sport as a rhythmic gymnast. Which later later on led her to dance.
Growing up surrounded by musicians, it was inevitable that she would try it as well. After graduation from music school playing the piano she picked up the bass guitar and got drowned in a music world completely.
Working at a piercing and hair salon always kept her close to creative people.
And getting a degree in Producing and Directing Sport Events became this cherry on top that she needed to put all those worlds together.
After transitioning to commercial dance world she has built a strong career in Russia by training kids and teenagers (who became champions on multiple national dance championships all over country). She has co-founded and became the director of dance department of "Art City", Studio of Modern Arts. And founded the first commercial dance community in Russia, called "Carpe Diem Project". Maria was a leader and one of the first organizers to create events for teachers and professional dancers in the country.
But to put her choreography on the stage of championship was never enough. To expand her vision and tell the stories in full she stated shooting her own concept videos. Which became pretty famous all over the country and were shared by artists around the globe. Always inspired by movies and real stories her work has reached out to so many hearts.
In some ways moving to Los Angeles was inevitable. She took the leap in 2018 and helped her talent expand. Since then she's already gotten a chance to perform and choreograph on biggest stages of the city, Direct and choreograph music videos and teach overseas.
WHAT MAKES MARIA UNIQUE?
How often do you see a director that can relate to every person on set?
Starting as an artist and dancer to learning how to hold the camera herself made her journey not only unique but so relatable by many.
She knows what the artist wants because she was one. She knows what the business owner or record label wants because she grew up surrounded by many and taught a full generation of stars while making a profit of it.
She knows what her crew needs because she has literally worked at every single department on set.
And what most important she can build a very safe and efficient working environment because how many directors have 14+ years of teaching experience?
Last but not least.
To be able to leave everything behind and start from scratch takes a lot of courage, discipline and dedication. And that's exactly what it takes to create a project that will stand out and last forever.
