Saaya Pikula Mason

Ballet Faculty

Saaya Pikula Mason began her dance training in her hometown in Niigata, Japan. Once in the United States she trained with Central Florida Ballet under Vasile Petrutiu and Vladimir Bykov, Russian Ballet of Orlando under Irina Depler and Vadim Fedotov and on full scholarship with The Rock School of Dance Education in Pennsylvania.

Ms. Mason joined Teatrul de Balet Sibiu in Romania in 2012 and performed many soloist and principal roles. Reperoire includes: Gulmare in Le Corsaire, Juliet in Romeo & Juliet, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, soloist in Spanish Whim, Four Seasons, and Cenusa Timpulu. In 2015, she joined Columbia Classical Ballet and danced the following roles: Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and contemporary ballets. Saaya joined Virginia National Ballet in 2016 as a Principal dancer and ballet instructor. She was later promoted to Assistant Ballet Master within the school. Saaya has performed many world premieres with VNB, including the title roles in Cinderella and Carmen, Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Mimi in the World Premiere of La Boheme, Jasmine in the Premiere of Aladdin, Soloist in Bohemian Rhapsody, the title role of Snow White, the title role in the World Premiere of Aida, principal dancer in Carmina Burana, Life in the Fast Lane, and Bolero, and principal roles in Claire de Lune and Virus. 

She has also been a guest artist and teacher at many companies in the region and is a certified PBT teacher. Ms. Mason is excited to join the Vitacca team and offer her extensive industry knowledge to the students of Vitacca.