A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Mairi trained in Norway with Mariinksy Theatre members before attending Russia’s Vaganova Ballet Academy, where Mairi danced with world- class Russian dancers. As a recurring injury increasingly took its toll, Mairi returned to the U.S. where she joined the Kirov Academy in Washington D.C.

She later moved to South Carolina to assume the position of Ballet Mistress at Columbia Classical Ballet, where she met her husband, Tommy Bettin, who was a member of the company. She and Tommy trained and danced professionally in Ballroom and Latin in Charlotte, North Carolina, before moving to the Richmond, Virginia area after their marriage to be closer to family.

Mairi and Tommy Bettin founded MaiTy Dance in Midlothian, VA to teach Ballroom, Latin and Club dancing lessons, create custom wedding dances, and teach dance fitness classes.