Leukemia Survivor Reinvents Career as Choreographer

When professional ballerina Masha Cherezova's legs gave out onstage at the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre in Siberia, she didn't know her entire life was about to flip. She was hospitalized the next day and diagnosed with leukemia.

The culprit was a DNA mutation called inversion 16, where part of her genetic code literally switched positions. "It's a part of my DNA that just got flipped," Cherezova explained. "So it was just a switch, and it got flipped and caused the cancerous cells."

During a year of chemotherapy treatments, Cherezova faced an unexpected challenge beyond the physical battle. She had to figure out who she was without dance, an identity she'd built her entire life around.

But stepping back gave her a new perspective. She realized her relationship with dance had become unhealthy long before her diagnosis. She'd worn her bruises as badges of honor, pushing her body beyond its limits without realizing the harm.

Now cancer-free, Cherezova is redefining what dance means to her. Instead of performing, she's found her voice as a choreographer and director. She recently choreographed music videos for Icelandic singer Laufey and Ye.

This Saturday, her multimedia project "Mutate" premieres at L.A. Dance Project. The show brings together dancers, filmmakers, and even a comedian to explore how her identity shifted after her diagnosis.

Why This Inspires

Cherezova isn't the only one using art to process health battles. The show features breast cancer survivor and comedian Julia Johns, plus USC dance student Garris Munoz, who had a tumor removed in 2022.

Cherezova's sister Polina is co-creating a film for the project, exploring how everyday tasks can transform from mundane to destructive. Having documented her sister's cancer journey from the outside, Polina now gets to hear what Masha actually experienced. "This is actually what I felt. This is actually what I was going through," Masha shares in the new work.

The evening will close with Cherezova performing "The Dying Swan" as a goodbye to her performing career, followed by an original duet celebrating her new path forward.

Every ticket sold will benefit Blood Cancer United, turning personal transformation into hope for others fighting similar battles.