Your Team

Owner/Director
BA (Dance and Performance Studies), A.C.B.A. C.I.C.B.

Gina wishes to create spaces that nurture and inspire the love of dance in all her students, whilst providing technical classes that help students to grow as artists and develop sound technique. Miss Gina trained at the Tanya Pearson Academy both part-time and full-time, during this time she completed all RAD exams with high distinctions along with the Cecchetti majors. Whilst Gina was full-time she fell in love with the Cecchetti method of ballet teaching and is a registered Cecchetti Ballet Teacher, and received honors in her teaching exams. Gina has a degree in Dance and Performance Studies from Macquarie University.

Gina founded the Seaforth Dance Academy in 2015, a successful studio that went on to purchase Seaforth Dance Plus in 2020, and the Valerie Jenkins Academy of Ballet in 2021. As these studios move forward together, the mission is very clear, we strive to nurture confidence and inspire excellence in each of our dancers.

Gina is passionate about arts education in students, and desires for students to develop a lifelong love of the arts through the seeds planted in their early years attending classes at The Dance Co. Sydney.

Patron

F.C.B.A - C.I.C.B, Life Member, Enrico Cecchetti Dipl. Holder, Examiner.

Valerie commenced her training in Melbourne with Maie Himing, who was a student of Lucie Saronova. Madame Saronova, a pupil of Enrico Cecchetti’s played a signficiant role in bringing the Cecchetti syllabus to Australia. Madame Saronova gave Valerie special coaching during her Pre-Professional years. Valerie danced professionally on Graeme Kennedy’s ‘In Melbourne Tonight’.

Valerie moved to Sydney in 1978 and studied with Valrene Tweedie, who also asked her to join the faculty. In 1986, on Miss Tweedie’s retirement, Valerie purchased Miss Tweedie’s Woollahra branch of her studio. Valerie was made a Cecchetti examiner in 1988 and has been on Cecchetti National Council for over 20 years.

Valerie has had many successful students who have gone on to perform in companies, such as The Australian Ballet Company and in Europe. In 2021 Mrs. Jenkins sold the studio to Miss Gina, a former student, and is very pleased to see the legacy of the school will continue.

Gretel has danced her whole life starting with Jazz and Tap before falling in love with Ballet at the age of twelve and at the age of fifteen was accepted into The English National Ballet School in London, UK.

Gretel trained full-time at the school for three years before graduating with a Diploma in Professional Dance from Trinity College. She toured and worked with some amazing dancers, choreographers and teachers abroad including Vicki Attard, Tamara Rojo, Cynthia Harvey, George Williamson, Nathalia Barbara, Paul Lewis, Larissa Bamber, Rachael Hunt, Lucinda Dunn, Sinead Vidler and Nicholina Kuner plus many more.

Gretel has experience in teaching Ballet, Character, and Pilates to the next generation of dancers. She is completing a degree in International Public Health aligning with her passion for encouraging students to optimise their physical performance through a strong mind and body. Gretel offers a friendly and encouraging environment, nourishing their passion for dancing.

Liz is a fully qualified dance teacher and has been teaching for 26 years. During this time, she owned a successful dance studio in the Blue Mountains (for 16 years), where she taught a range of styles to students aged 3 years to adults. Miss Liz attained the Tap Teaching Diploma (Adv.) in 1998, became a Tap Examiner in 2005, and a Director of BAL (Ballet Australasia Ltd) two years later. In 2016 she attained the TAE Cert IV in Training & Assessment and completed the Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management 40313 in 2019.

Miss Liz loves watching the students grow in self-confidence, as they improve their technique. She inspires and motivates her students to do their best and to always be proud of their achievements.

Miss Sal, originally from Colombia, fell in love with dancing at the age of 6-years-old. By 14 she had obtained a scholarship at Idyllwild Arts Academy where she moved from her home to Los Angeles, USA. to further her dance education. Moving forward, Miss Sal trained at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, USA, and once again attended with a 100% scholarship. Miss Sal is not only an incredible dancer who has performed professionally, she has a genuine love and care for students.

Wanting not only to bring out the best in her dancers technically in every lesson, Miss Sal also has a deep desire to develop their confidence and self-expression along the way. We are very grateful for our lovely Miss Sal.

Sarah has been passionate about dancing from childhood. At age 17 traveled to Washington, DC to further her ballet studies for The Washington School of Ballet Summer Intensive and was offered a position in their Professional Track Program A (PTPA). After one year in PTPA, performing around DC with both the school and company, Sarah was promoted to trainee with The Washington Ballet, under the direction of ballet superstar Julie Kent. The implications of COVID-19 saw Sarah return to Australia and begin performing with Victorian State Ballet and Sarah is undertaking her Diploma of Elite Performance with Sydney Dance Company. Sarah has also completed her teacher training under Lisa Howell and is passionate about injury prevention with studies. Sarah wishes to instill a love of movement and artistic expression in the next generation and always aims to make the studio a positive environment that can act as a catalyst for growth.

Dancing from the age of 3 at The Dance Co. Sydney (formerly Valerie Jenkins Ballet Academy) Maya has completed her Cecchetti exams from Pre-Primary to Advanced 1 with Honours. She is passionate about the Cecchetti method and its close-knit community. At 16 she trained at The McDonald College School of Performing Arts with a scholarship, before moving to London in 2020 to attend Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Maya is currently training as a contemporary dancer in Sydney Dance Company’s 2023 Pre-Professional Year. She recently completed her studio pilates teaching qualification with Polestar Pilates and teaches dance through a biomechanical lens to improve dancers’ technique, and prevent injury.

Holly is our Uniform Shop Coordinator and Studio Assistant. Holly is a big sister and role model to our younger dancers. Always around for the students to talk through things with, and make sure everyone is feeling extra special. Holly is our sprinkle of glitter at the studio and crafts many magical moments for our students.

Karen is our Studio Experience Manager, your first point of call. Have any questions? Or does your child need additional support to thrive in classes? Karen would love to help! Drop her an email at thedancecosydney.com.au