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.

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.

Stefani’s love for dance began at the age of 5 when she attended her first ballet class at Wendy Gibbs School of Ballet. As she grew older and her passion for dance progressed further, she started full-time training at Alegria Dance Studios before moving overseas to Spain to continue her ballet studies at Víctor Ullate Escuela. After returning to Australia, Stefani started exploring contemporary dance, and joined Sydney Dance Company's Pre-Professional Year where she performed Stephanie Lake’s ‘Colossus’ and repertoire by Rafael Bonachela, whilst also completing her Advanced Diploma of Elite Performance in Dance. Stefani is very passionate about raising dancers in a healthy and positive environment where they can thrive without limitations, focusing on prioritising the safety and happiness of her students when teaching. 

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.

Piper has been immersed in the world of dance from a young age, training across multiple styles, including commercial jazz, musical theatre, ballet, tap, contemporary, lyrical, and hip-hop. She began her training at Jayz Dance Company in Canberra, where she progressed through the Open Age Elite Troupe Program and completed Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Glenn Wood Tap examinations.

Piper’s passion for performance led her to Dynamite Studios on the Gold Coast, where she trained as a dancer and was a member of the Full-Time Performance Team while completing her Certificate IV in Dance. She has performed at high-profile events, including the Caboolture Show as part of a Nickelodeon flashmob and as a guest dancer on The Next Step Australian Tour in 2019.

Beyond performing, Piper is a dedicated dance educator with experience teaching multiple syllabuses, including Ready Set Dance. With a strong foundation in both performance and teaching, she is committed to fostering a love of dance in the next generation. She believes in creating a positive, inspiring studio environment where students can grow as dancers and individuals while embracing movement and artistic expression.

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