“I love when I can see what I have worked hard at that makes a difference. I like to see the result.”
Gina Malsky has dedicated her life to the arts — as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and community advocate. Born and raised in West Pittston, she trained with Wilkes-Barre Ballet Theater from the age of 4 or 5, later pursued her passion at Point Park University and danced with the Pittsburgh Opera.
A job opportunity for her high school sweetheart turned husband, Leo, brought the couple back to NEPA around 1990 where Gina unexpectedly found herself teaching ballet at the JCC summer camp. That role was her first introduction in to the local nonprofit world and sparked her love for community-centered arts, thanks in part to the mentorship of Rick Evans.
Three children and a busy life kept her going until 2006, when Gina opened Dance Theatre of Wilkes-Barre — the studio her mother dreamed of for her and Gina swore she’d never open! She started as a tenant at The Mary Stegmaier Mansion, but when the building sold, a nearby church offered space. With a leap of faith, she placed a bid and suddenly held the keys to a sprawling former church.
For over a decade, it became an arts hub — hosting dance, concerts, fencing, pottery, readings and more. It also served as an incubator for creative groups like Verve Vertu, Restored Church and the Wyoming Valley Art League. Gina sold the building in 2020 and relocated her studio to Kingston.
Gina remains a tireless champion for the arts in NEPA. We met in her studio — walls lined with mirrors, ballet bars, tiny chairs, and tutus — and learned more about her support of the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival, Fine Arts Fiesta, the Cavalcade of Jazz, Paulie Friedman Gallery and Downtown Artistic Forum.
She spoke proudly of her adult children and her grandson, and we asked, of course — why NEPA?
How long have you lived in NEPA?
Well, I’m a native of West Pittston, so, you know, I escaped for a couple years—but I guess a lifetime.
What do you love about your town?
There’re so many memories in my town. There’s so much history in my town. You know, my neighbor is my first-grade teacher. A lot of people say the times are changing. There’re new neighbors. There’re all different kinds of people that didn’t grow up in the area. But, when you go to the West Pittston Library, there’s so much history and culture and memories that—it’s a great old town.
What’s your favorite NEPA restaurant?
Ohhh, restaurants. I guess I have to give the kudos first to my West Pittston restaurants. Agolino’s and Nardone’s, which is down the street, topping off with dessert from Blue Ribbon. These are all restaurants that you have to applaud because they have been through it all. They’ve been through floods. They’ve been here forever. They are generous, they are family-oriented. They’re kind. And then as you go down towards Exeter, you know there’s Sabatini’s, there’s Valenti’s. I always shoot for the family-owned restaurants. I have to give one more kudos to my son-in-law’s bar, Dowse’s, in Exeter. They have the best wings and ice-cold beer.
What’s your favorite thing to do in NEPA?
I love live entertainment. As much as I love going out of town to see shows and concerts, I really try to support what’s here. I love outdoor seating. I love to have dinner outside, have drinks outside, and I love to support what’s going on here in the community.
What’s next for you?
Next year is a big year! 2026 is a big year because my husband works for America250PA, Pennsylvania turns 250, the Cavalcade of Jazz is turning 75, and the Fine Arts Fiesta is turning 70. So, we have a big celebration year. But in 2027, the studio turns 20, and I turn 60. So, not that I don’t love 2026, but I’m gearing up for 2027. And, not that I’m looking to retire, but I’m clearing my plate a little bit here and there just to enjoy life a little bit, to travel, and to spend some time with friends.
Where do you see NEPA heading in the future?
I’m hoping that the organizations, the community, and the people here remember where they came from — not to think too big out-of-the-box. You know, I think there is enough history and enough community stuff that happened in the past that could just be tweaked and shown a little bit more, rather than trying to go out there and hit a home run like the bigger cities. I’ll go to meetings and people will say, ‘in New York or Philly,’ and I’m like, we are in the middle of Wilkes-Barre, right? Let’s be happy that we’re here. And we’re thriving — there is a lot going on here. The Kirby’s doing great. Little Theatre does great. The Sordoni Gallery, the restaurants — like, that’s my main mission when I do the Cavalcade, to get foot traffic in downtown Wilkes-Barre so people can enjoy what’s happening. We have a great police force. We have a great mayor. We have so much going on that I would hope we just sustain that, support it, rather than try to do something that’s out of our reach.
Why NEPA?
Well, I guess I have to thank my husband for getting the job here. But I have to say, I have a lot of friends who have moved out of the area who, when they come back for a visit, talk about what goes on here. They talk about how great it is to have people who support things that have been here for so long — the libraries, the festivals, the outdoor concerts, the races. There’s so much here. There’s a big thank you owed to generous families that have really given the area a lot of donations and support. I think we owe it to them — whether they’re living or not — to keep it going. I love it here!
