Setsuko Maruhashi was born in Japan and started her ballet training in the Vaganova method at the age of eight. After moving to NYC, she added jazz, tap and modern to her dance training. Among many others, she studied with Finis Jhung, Maggie Black, Marjorie Mussman, Phil Black, Miquel Godreau, and Helen Butleroff. In 1985, Setsuko became the first minority Rockette at Radio City Music Hall and performed in numerous productions, including: The Christmas Spectaculars, The Easter Shows, Super Bowl half- time show, Late Night with David Letterman and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She also performed in musicals and industrial shows as an AEA member. Setsuko has been a faculty member in the Adult ballet program of the Dance Studio of Park Slope, Brooklyn (DSPS) since June 2000 and in the Children’s Ballet Program since September, 2009. She has choreographed and co-choreographed numerous ballet recital pieces for her ballet students and has been enjoying a loyal and regular student body at the DSPS. She has also been teaching after school Master Ballet Classes for the students of the Dance Department at MS 51since February, 2012. In 2014, she taught Solid Beginner Ballet at Ballet Arts.
Setsuko holds a BA in dance from Empire State College, SUNY and is an ACE- certified personal trainer and an accredited Pilates instructor.