Mavin Khoo was born in Malaysia where he began his dance studies, training in Britain, India and the USA. He studied Bharata Natyam under the world renowned maestro, Padmashri Adyar K. Lakshman in India, Ballet in London with Marian St Claire and Michael Beare and Contemporary Dance at the Merce Cunningham studies in New York and with former London Contemporary Dance Theatre principal Anne Went in London.

An established dancer and choreographer, he has worked in collaboration with many well known names in the world of dance. He has danced with several well known companies in the UK and has toured and guested internationally with Ballet de Zaragoza. He was associate artist at Akademi, for whom he performed in the major Coming of Age and Escapade celebrations at the Royal Festival Hall on London’s South Bank (2001 and 2003).

Commissioned choreography includes creations for the National Youth Dance Company and London Studio Centre’s Jazz Company and Union Dance.

He has created Bharata Natyam works for independent Bharata Natyam soloists Chitra Sundaram, Seeta Patel and Shrishti.

Images in Varnam, commissioned by the Royal Ballet’s Artists Development Initiative was then followed by another commission by ROH 2, Let me… with Royal Ballet dancer Kristen McNally, American counter tenor, Michael Harper and pianist John Sweeney.

As a Bharata Natyam soloist, Mavin has toured around the world, dancing in many countries. Solo productions include Prana, Moksha, Warna: the Colours of Bharata Natyam, Margam: The Path and Solo.

He has also appeared on JTV India, BBC2 and Channel 4 TV in England. In 2005 he was honoured by the prestigious Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai for his Bharata Natyam performances.

As a teacher he has taught professional Ballet and Contemporary Dance. He has also taught at Middlesex University among others and dancers from all over the world come to study Bharata Natyam with him.

His own company, mavinkhooDance was founded in 2003 with its first national/international tour of Parallel Passions funded by the Arts Council of England. This was followed by Chandra/Luna.

How old are you? Star sign and date of birth?

31 years old. A Taurean born on 30 April 1976.

What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?

I would love to be in a position where I didn’t have to worry about my finances all the time.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Dancing, beautiful things while having true love.

What is your favourite occupation?

I’m lucky that my occupation is something that epitomises my own identity.

What is your greatest fear?

Being alone.

What is it that you most value in your friends?

Love.

How would you like to die?

In my sleep after a wicked night out.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Bags!

What is your greatest regret?

Not having been more careful with money.

What is your most treasured possession?

My dance practice items.

Which talent would you most like to have apart from the ones you already have?

I’d love to be able to sing. I have a good knowledge of music but unfortunately not the voice to go with it!

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Bitterness.

Where would you like to live?

In Spain or Malta actually!

What is your most marked characteristic?

My dancer’s walk!

Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

The American ballerina Gelsey Kirkland. She really experienced the highs and lows of life and is the most consummate artist I’ve ever

witnessed.

What is it that you most dislike?

Unjustified arrogance.

What is your motto?

Embrace everything that life has to offer.