
Go Behind the Curtain With Roni Mahler
Early Steps & Big Dreams
From cheering for Mickey Mantle at Yankee Stadium to training under the legendary Madame Maria Yurieva Swoboda, Roni Mahler’s early years were filled with movement, curiosity, and determination. At 18, she joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, launching a life on stage.
A Star on the World Stage
Roni’s talent and grace carried her to principal roles with the National Ballet of Washington, D.C., under Frederic Franklin, and later to American Ballet Theatre, where she portrayed iconic characters like the Queen of the Wilis in Giselle. Her presence was powerful, her artistry unforgettable.
Movement with Purpose
Beyond the stage, Roni became a pioneer—teaching ballet to football players and coaching dancers around the globe. As Artistic Associate of Cleveland Ballet/Ballet San Jose, she spent over 30 years nurturing talent, blending tradition with innovation.
This Book Is Touching Hearts, One Reader at a Time
"Reading Tomboy Ballerina felt like sitting down with Ms. Mahler in the studio again—calm, wise, and completely present. As her student, I always knew she carried incredible stories, but seeing them on the page gave me a whole new level of respect and admiration. Her journey shows just how much heart she put into every performance, and how much care she gave to each of us she taught. This book is a gift—not just to dancers, but to anyone who’s ever had a teacher who changed their life."
— Kristyn Medeiros, former student
"Tomboy Ballerina is such a moving and honest story. Roni Mahler shares her life in a way that feels both deeply personal and wonderfully universal. I was completely drawn in by her childhood memories, her love of baseball, and the way she found her place in the world through dance. You don’t have to be a ballerina to be touched by this book—you just have to appreciate what it means to follow a passion with your whole heart. I laughed, I got misty-eyed, and I came away feeling like I knew Roni myself."
— Stephanie Fredericks, former ballet dancer, devoted reader, and lifelong admirer of the arts
©2025 Roni Mahler Ballet
