The former Holy Trinity student took up ballet at Craze Dance at age three, and never looked back.

By 14, she had moved on her own to Brisbane to study dance full time, and just a few years later left for Belgium to chase a place in a company.

"She's always known, since she was a little girl that's what she wanted to do. She's always very focused," her mum Claudia Dolbel said. She said local teacher Laura King's techniques were "top notch" and gave the youngster the foundation she needed to build her career.

"I don't think becoming a professional dancer was ever a conscious decision - it was just always in my mind that I'd be a ballerina," Mary-Grace said.

"As I got older I realised that to fulfill that dream I needed to be training full time."

Finishing her studies with the Brussels International Ballet School in July, the 17-year-old travels regularly to Rotterdam, Berlin and Geneva for auditions.

She has recently secured a place at the Art Factory International in Bologna, Italy and the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance in Austria.

"It's a really difficult thing to leave your friends and family and move to a place where you don't speak the language, but my determination to make it in this industry has pushed me through," she said.

"Also daily phone calls to my mum keeps my mind in the right place!"

Claudia says the distance is a struggle, but remains incredibly proud of her daughter's tenacity.

A truly athletic pursuit, Mary-Grace's days are filled physical activity, from 9.30am to as late as 7pm, Monday-Saturday.

She'll start her day an hour before class with warm ups, followed by pilates or a classical technique class. Pointe technique or repertoire are next, sometimes replaced by rehearsals for an upcoming performance. Her afternoon sessions focus on contemporary, cardio or character.

"Like any artist, the passion for what I do comes from expression. Dance gives me the ability to express myself and has always been a part of my life, so it's what I know," she said.

"It's how I live and breathe. I don't even think about it, it's always there when I need it and has shaped the person I am today, physically, emotionally and spiritually."

No matter how far she roams, Mary-Grace carries fond memories of her hometown with her. "I used to love competing in the Inverell Eisteddfod and performing in the Craze concerts," she said.

"Inverell is such a beautiful town, no matter where I end up in the future, it'll always be exciting to go home."