Maria Kowroski began stuying ballet at the School of the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Ballet and subsequently the School of American Ballet in 1992; became an apprentice with New York City Ballet in 1994 and joined the the corps de ballet in 1995. Ms. Kowroski was promoted to soloist in 1997 and principal dancer in 1999. She has performed as a guest artist with the Maryinsky Ballet in productions of Swan Lake and Jewels, as well as with the Munich Ballet in Apollo and Brahms Schoenberg Quartet. Ms. Kowroski was the recipient of the Princess Grace Award in 1994.