TJ Maheras danced internationally with companies throughout Europe and Canada, including Northern Ballet Theatre, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Irish Ballet, and Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal.  After a professional ballet career spanning 23 years, Mr. Maheras earned advanced degrees in nutrition and exercise biochemistry/physiology from Arizona State University (ASU).

Mr. Maheras joined the dance faculty at ASU where, along with his teaching, training and nutrition counseling obligations, research kept him busy publishing and lecturing on dance physiology. His research with dancers -  “The Effects on Endurance Capacity Among Student Dancers Exposed to Cardiovascular Training During Classical Technique Class” - became the subject matter for both “Research” magazine and a PBS special.

While in Arizona, Mr. Maheras founded and directed critically acclaimed Ballet Jude.  Maheras' teaching techniques, which emphasize training the dancer-athlete, fostered a distinctive Ballet Jude aesthetic.  The company, its dancers and repertoire, become recognized for speed, endurance, power and an elegant athleticism.  Several Ballet Jude repertoire pieces received recognition and awards in national ballet competitions (Dance Under the Stars, Palm Springs, Ca; Ballet Builders, New York City, New York).

Following a nine year directorship, Mr. Maheras left Ballet Jude and academia to further his exploration of movement and exercise by becoming a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), and a Pilates and GYROTONIC® instructor.

TJ recently moved to Portland Oregon, having spent eight previous years teaching ballet and training in New York City.