David and Dania
From Circopedia
DAVID MAAS AND DANIA KASEEVA — Quick-Change Act
By Dominique Jando
Dania Kaseeva (sometimes billed as "Dana" Kaseeva) was born on March 21, 1966 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. She is the daughter of Rustam Kaseev (1929-97), a celebrated acrobat and bear trainer. After training in dance and acrobatics, Dania created, with the help of her father, 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 participated in several international tours with the Moscow Circus, including a 1990 tour in the United States, where she became a headliner. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Dania left the Moscow Circus and, in 1992, was featured as an independent performer at the Big Apple Circus. She then settled in the United States 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 Chicago, Illionois (USA) and made his circus debut with a juggling act on slack wireA Tight Wire, or Low Wire, kept slack, and generally used for juggling or balancing tricks.. His vocal abilities, however, led to 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 England and the United States, including Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada. While working 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., David also studied and practiced magic.
Dania and David created a mesmerizing quick-change act, which they debuted in 1996. They have since performed the act all over the world, in circuses, nightclubs, corporate events, and on cruise ships. The act won them a Gold Medal at the International Circus Festival of Enschede, Holland, in 1999.
David died of COVID19 on November 22, 2020.
See Also
- Biography: Dania Kaseeva
- Video: David & Dania, Quick-Change Act, in the Big Apple Circus production of Clown Around Town (2000)
