Trained at The Academy of Ballet Florida
Ballet Florida’s Mission is to support dance creation, education, and preservation through the highest quality performances and educational programming; and to reach the widest possible audience to deepen the public appreciation of dance as an art form.
Ballet Florida is a 501(c)(3) non for profit organization in the heart of the Palm Beaches. Divided into three parts, we make dance accessible to everyone. Dance education taught by world renowned teachers at The Academy of Ballet Florida, performances and artistic development incubated by dancers of The Professional Company, and momentous Community Outreach and scholarship programs allow us to reach our widest possible audience.
PRIVATE LESSONS SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS CHOREOGRAPHY & COACHING GROUP CLASSES
The Company of Ballet Florida’s mission is to create new work while performing a selection of timeless classics. By housing collaborative projects between dancers, choreographers, visual artists, musicians, composers, designers and other art forms, we develop and showcase a versatile dance medium. Programs include full-length evenings performed in traditional theaters, contrasted by intimate non-traditional environments. We hope to reach all generations and cultures through our dancing while opening the minds of those who have not yet had the opportunity to experience this spectacular art form. Stay tuned for more details and exciting news about The Company of Ballet Florida including special events and performances. Dancers who wish to audition please contact laurencarey@balletflorida.org or call 561-655-6882.
EMILY CHU from Saratoga Springs, NY, found her love of dance at an early age. She began her pre-professional career at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA, where she graduated with a major in ballet, directed by Mr. Michael Owen. In 2015, she received her BFA in ballet from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), directed by Ms. Shellie Cash and Mr. Qi Jiang, where she was able to further her training into contemporary, modern, and choreography. Since graduating, Emily has continued her work in the arts with Rainbow Circus Miami, performing in classical and contemporary dance as well as expanding into contortion and aerial dance.
As a dance artist, Mindy concentrates on ideologies surrounding femininity, sexuality, and the moving dancing body. In 2017, Mindy completed her Master of Fine Arts through Hollins University where she had the opportunity to study abroad in Frankfurt, Germany for three consecutive summers. During this time, she worked on three major projects. Her independent study investigated the transgression of ballet through her two-part interview series of Radical ballet while her research paper project explored Voyeurism and the Ballerina. Mindy’s final thesis production and written document examined the performance of sexuality in the fields of pornography and choreography by exploring kinesthetic pleasures through a reflective and reflexive performance. She has had the opportunity of performing her thesis project in West Palm Beach, FL at The Box Gallery and in Boynton Beach, FL in part of the Boynton Beach Arts District ActivistaArtista Festival. Prior to accomplishing her MFA, Mindy was an adjunct instructor of dance at The University of South Carolina for four years. Previously, she completed her Bachelor of Arts from USC as a Cum Laude graduate, where she received the University of South Carolina Dance Program Director Award for outstanding dedication, talent and passion for the art of dance. During her time at USC, Mindy had the opportunity to perform works choreographed by Tanya Wideman-Davis, Thaddeus Davis, George Balanchine, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Gianni Di Marco, Hannah Lagerway, and many others. As a professional performing artist, Mindy has worked with Carolina Ballet Theatre in Greenville, SC and Wideman-Davis Dance in Columbia, SC. Mindy currently resides in Delray Beach, FL as a freelance dance artist, where she is performing with Demetrius Klein Dance Company and Lauren Carey’s Ballet Florida. This spring she is teaching at Hollins University as a visiting assistant professor in part of the dance program.
ALYSSA THOMPSON received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from New World School of the Arts/University of Florida. Upon graduation, she began her dance career with Repertory Dance Theatre of Utah where she performed works by prominent classical and contemporary choreographers such as Merce Cunningham, Jose Limon, Bill Evans, and Zvi Gotheiner. Alyssa returned to Florida to dance with Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theater and pursue a Master of Nonprofit Management from Florida Atlantic University. She is currently teaching dance, performing with local choreographers and working in the nonprofit sector. Alyssa is thrilled to join Ballet Florida this season!
VANESSA ROSEN was born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in South Florida where she currently resides as a freelance contemporary/modern dancer. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Arts and Humanities with a focus on dance and a minor in Ethnic Studies. She co-founded the FAU Dance Organization (FAUDO), which provided college dancers in the community adult level modern classes and performance opportunities. Vanessa has performed with the companies: TranZenDance Productions (Davie), FAU Dance and Theatre Ensemble under the direction of Clarence Brooks and was cast in historical works such as Lynchtown by Charles Weidman and Rooms Etude by Anna Sokolow (Boca Raton), MusInc: An Artists' Collective (Tampa and West Palm Beach) and The Movement Project, under the direction of Diana Hoffmaster (West Palm Beach). Vanessa also performed and served as Artist Liaison for The Dancers’ Space (West Palm Beach), where she was a part of works by David Parsons, Joshua L. Peugh and Kyra Jean Green. She continues to delve into the worlds of modern and contemporary dance, seeking influences from around the world. Vanessa has been accepted into intensives with the Hofesh Shechter Company (London) and Batsheva Dance Company (Tel-Aviv), American Dance Festival (Durham) and BODYTRAFFIC (Los Angeles). In April 2014, her first solo work, Phase 6, was chosen to be produced by The Dancers’ Space at the Duncan Theatre (Lake Worth) as a part of “An Evening of Contemporary Dance; works by local and nationally recognized choreographers”. Her first group work, Alive she cried… premiered as part of create.DANCE.florida Fall Collection 2015. Vanessa is honored to be welcomed into the Ballet Florida family!
Assistant Professor Jin Lee Hanley has taught in the Dance Department at Palm Beach Atlantic University (“PBA”) in West Palm Beach, Florida since 2005. During that time, she has been involved with PBA’s Dance Ensemble as a resident choreographer, rehearsal director, and performer. She is also a faculty member for the PBA preparatory dance program, where she teaches technique classes and choreographs for younger up-and-coming dancers. Ms. Hanley has taught for various events, organizations, and churches, including the American College Dance Festival, Florida Dance Education Organization, and the World Missions Conference in New York City. She has also served as a guest instructor at Bellhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, at Kong-ju University, Pneuma Ballet Theatre, andYoung-Nam University in South Korea, and at Calvary Chapel Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Immediately prior to coming to PBA, she was the Director of Dance at Little Flock Church in New York City. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Dance Education Organization, and is co-chair of the Florida National Honor Society of Dance Arts. She has been a artist with The Dancers’ Space, a non-profit organization in South Florida, and first year serving as the program coordinator to enhance the programs and education through TDS in Palm Beach County.
Mycaela is a Jupiter local and Florida native. She is part of the first class of dance minors at Florida Atlantic University and she is also an English major and a studio art photography minor. She is in her senior year and will graduate in May 2018 with her bachelors degree and a professional and technical writing certificate. Mycaela has been dancing since the age of 3 and is a Dreyfoos School of the Arts alumni. She has trained and danced with choreographers from around the globe including Christopher Huggins, Margo Sappington, Levi Marsman, Ryan Redmond and more. She is currently the head ballet and pointe teacher at Char-Mar Dance School in Lake Park and she also teaches jazz and contemporary. She has danced a few seasons with FAU’s Repertory Dance Theater Ensemble and she is looking forward to continuing to progress with Ballet Florida.
Carlos Macias, a Cuban native, graduated from The National School of Art of Cuba with professional honors. There he danced under Director, Alicia Alonso, from 2008 to 2014 as a soloist. Mr. Macias then moved to the United States and danced with Ballet Evolution of Charleston in South Carolina. His performances include soloist in Giselle, Nutcracker, Majjisimo, Dionanea, Dialogo, Coppelia, and Carnival of the Animals. In addition, the Corp de ballet in Swan Lake, Shakespeare, Cinderella, Fille mal Gardee, and Bayadere.
Christopher Woodyard, a senior at The Harid Conservatory has extensively trained with the industry’s leading teachers that specialize in the Vaganova ballet technique and modern dance. Mr. Woodyard attributes his success and artistic style to the crafted talents of Meelis Pakri, Victoria Schneider, Inna Stabrova, and Dmitriy Tuboltsev, as well as Lauren Carey and Mark Godden. His accomplishments include attending The Harid Conservatory and The Juilliard School Summer Intensive in New York City. He was chosen among applicants all over the world for both prestigious schools. Christopher was also selected to perform two contemporary-ballet pieces created by Mark Godden, as well as a solo that he is now able to add to his repertoire. As Christopher continues to audition for various world-renowned dance companies and top-rated colleges, he is thrilled to have the opportunity to gain more performance experience right here in Palm Beach County with the professional company of Ballet Florida.
The Master Class Series gives students the opportunity to be instructed by various international guest teachers and choreographers. These classes are open to academy students in the Pre-Professional Division and to the general public.
Adult classes are available for beginners through professional level dancers in ballet, modern and yoga. Classes combine all the benefits of dance training including poise, grace, movement, balance, control and muscular toning. Drop in rates and class packages are available. Please see calendar.
We open our doors to underpriviliged children of West Palm Beach and surrounding areas. Our goal is to give these children encouragement, opportunities and resources to study dance. We also collaborate with local organizations and schools to offer dance immersion workshops.
Our mission is to provide the highest quality dance education and community outreach programs while our professional company creates world-class performances to share with our audience. This future relies on support, sponsorship and contributions from our “Ballet Florida Family Members and Friends”. If you would like to donate or just be kept informed on our progress, please become a Ballet Florida Family Member by filling out the information below. We are excited to hear from you.
BALLET FLORIDA IS A REGISTERED 501 (C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, AND ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED BY LAW.