Gina-Marie Krutzky (formerly Leathem) grew up on the Gold Coast and began her ballet training under the guidance of her mother, Dianne Leathem. At age 13, she commenced full-time training with Joy and Dawn Ransley and was selected to perform in the New York Finals of the Youth America Grand Prix. Gina-Marie placed in the Top 12 and was invited to attend the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, where she was honoured to be named a National Training Scholar, returning each year for four consecutive years. During this time, she worked with many renowned master teachers and choreographers. 

 

Having trained on scholarship at the Australian Ballet School from Level 6, Gina-Marie later returned to the Gold Coast to learn from world-renowned master teacher Prudence Bowen and former Royal Ballet soloist Suzanne Way.​​

She attained her Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal Award (the highest award in the RAD syllabus) and, after achieving High Distinctions in her RAD examinations, was invited to travel to London to compete in the The Fonteyn (formerly the Genée International Ballet Competition). 

 

Gina-Marie was selected from over 150 Australasian dancers as one of eight finalists in the McDonald's Ballet Scholarship in Sydney, performing her solos at the Sydney Opera House. Following this, she returned to New York to join the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre, where she continued her training on scholarship in the Pre-Professional Division.

 

Highlights in New York include performing the 3rd Shade Variation from La Bayadère, the Waltz Variation from Les Sylphides at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and dancing as a “super” with ABT at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Gina-Marie particularly enjoyed assisting with teaching younger students at JKO and touring to Washington, DC to perform for Caroline Kennedy.

 

Gina-Marie was honoured to receive the rare opportunity to train at the world-famous Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St Petersburg, Russia. Choosing to remain closer to home, she accepted an offer from Ethan Stiefel to join the Royal New Zealand Ballet as an Apprentice.

 

The following year, Gina-Marie joined the Semperoper Ballett Dresden in Germany. In addition to performing in productions with the main company, she appeared in operas and enjoyed performing matinee shows for children. During this time, she also expanded her knowledge of contemporary dance at the Palucca University of Dance Dresden.

 

After spending several weeks taking classes in London with The Royal Ballet, by invitation of then-Principal Dancer Johan Kobborg, Gina-Marie accepted a contract with the National Ballet of Romania under his direction. She was fortunate to perform much of the classical repertoire. Career highlights include the soloist role of Moth in Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Dream and one of the eight Girlfriends in La Fille mal gardée.

 

Gina-Marie has always had a passion for teaching the next generation of ballet students and looks forward to sharing insights from her professional career. She is committed to encouraging her students to strive for excellence while promoting strong moral values, self-confidence, dedication, and discipline within a positive environment. She aims to nurture each dancer’s artistry alongside building strong, safe foundations and sound technique — all while maintaining the joy of dance.

 

Gina-Marie looks forward to welcoming you into her boutique ballet space.