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Do you know Lisa-Maree Cullum?

  • Writer: Sophie Fletcher
    Sophie Fletcher
  • Sep 14
  • 3 min read

As an adult ballet enthusiast, you may already know of ballet legends such as Margot Fonteyn or Rudolf Nureyev, but the world of dance today offers many equally inspiring figures. In another article from our series 'Do you know...?', we'll look at Lisa-Maree Cullum, a principal artist whose career spans all the way from New Zealand to stages in Europe and the UK.


Early beginnings

Lisa-Maree Cullum was born in New Zealand in 1973 and began her ballet journey under the guidance of her mother at the age of four. Her early training quickly revealed her talent and determination. By her teens, Lisa-Maree had moved to Sydney to study with the renowned Tanya Pearson OAM, marking the start of a relationship with Australian dance that continues to this day. In 1988, she captured the dance world’s attention by winning the gold medal at both the Royal Academy’s Adeline Genée Awards in London and the prestigious Prix de Lausanne. These accolades opened the door to further training at the Académie Princesse Grace in Monaco under Madame Marika Besobrasova.


Lisa-Maree Cullum in La Bayadère
Lisa-Maree Cullum in La Bayadère

A distinguished stage career

Lisa-Maree’s professional debut was with the English National Ballet. She quickly advanced, joining the Deutsche Oper Berlin Ballet in 1990, where she became a leading ballerina and danced many acclaimed roles for eight years. Her career flourished as she accepted a principal contract with Munich’s Bavarian State Ballet in 1998. As a principal, Lisa-Maree’s repertoire spanned a tremendous breadth - from Giselle, to Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, to signature roles in works by Neumeier, Cranko, MacMillan, Forsythe, and Balanchine. She was frequently invited as a guest artist, performing with leading companies across Europe and beyond.


Her artistry and technical brilliance received recognition on multiple occasions. She received the Leonide Massine Award (1995), was named “Dancer of the Year” (Munich, 1998 & 2002), and was nominated for the Prix Benois de la Danse (2002). Lisa-Maree was awarded Germany’s highest honorary title for a stage artist, “Kammertänzerin,” marking her as a true star of her generation.


Lisa-Maree Cullum from her time as the first soloist of the Bavarian State Theatre
Lisa-Maree Cullum from her time as the first soloist of the Bavarian State Theatre

Training, approach, and inspiration

A glimpse into Lisa-Maree Cullum’s mindset reveals her dedication to both artistry and wellbeing. She credits her sustained career and injury-free record to careful conditioning, cross-training, and an ongoing commitment to holistic wellness. Lisa-Maree has often cited the importance of mentors and her admiration for artists such as Natalia Makarova, Patricia Neary, and Ray Barra, who influenced not only her dancing but her approach to life and work. Her favourite roles include Manon, The Sylphide, Marguerite from Lady of the Camellias, and more. She is known for investing emotional depth and musicality into every part she dances.


“My mum had a ballet school, and when I saw the other children moving to music, I couldn’t help myself,” she remarked in an interview, signalling a lifelong sense of inner motivation. Cullum’s training emphasised quality and presence, attributes she continues to foster nowadays as a teacher.


Lisa-Maree Cullum in Artifact (with Alen Bottaini) by Wilfried Hösl
Lisa-Maree Cullum in Artifact (with Alen Bottaini) by Wilfried Hösl

Career beyond the stage

After her farewell performance as The Hostess in Nijinska’s Les Biches (2015), Lisa-Maree transitioned to mentoring, coaching, and international jury service. She taught at the Bavaria Ballet Academy, was a jury member for the Prix de Lausanne, and became a highly sought-after teacher worldwide. In 2024, she returned to Australia to become Artistic Director of the Tanya Pearson Academy, where she inspires the next generation with her artistry, experience, and enthusiasm for dance education.


Why you should know her

Lisa-Maree Cullum’s story is one of talent matched by discipline, vision, and generosity. She is celebrated not only for her performances and technical mastery but for her capacity to nurture emerging artists. Her journey from small-town New Zealand to international principal dancer, and now a mentor for future stars, embodies the magic of ballet and the value of lifelong commitment to the art form.


Awards and distinctions

Prix de Lausanne Winner - 1988 - watch her amazing performance

Adeline Genee Award Gold Medal - 1988

Leonide Massine Award, Positano - 1995

Dancer of the Year (Munich) - 1998, 2002

“Kammertänzerin” (Highest German title) - 2000s

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