Raised in San Jose, Costa Rica, Karina Lesko began her dance career at the age of seven with the Youth Ballet of Costa Rica. She continued her studies, attending summer sessions with the National Conservatory of Prague, the National Ballet School of Cuba, and the Superior Art Institute of the Colon Theatre of Buenos Aires. She completed her B.F.A. at the University of Utah, where she toured as a member of the Character Dance Ensemble. Karina has performed in festivals and competitions worldwide, including the International Competition of Varna 2000 and the Music Festival of Paris 2005. She has appeared as a guest artist for the City Ballet of Lima, Peru and the Ballet Company of Monterrey. She worked for Tokyo Disneyland, Japan and spent two years dancing in Paris under the instruction of Jennifer Goube of the Paris Opera Ballet, before moving to New York City. Karina is a fully certified Gyrotonics Instructor, and her repertoire includes Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Nikiya in La Bayadere, Lisette in La Fille Mal Gardee, Coppelia, and Swan Lake, among others.