Where Students receive the highest caliber of Ballet Instruction
About the School
Gulfshore Ballet is Southwest Florida’s premier not-for-profit school of Classical Ballet. The school has an internationally acclaimed teaching faculty and offers area students the unique opportunity to study with professional instructors of the highest caliber. The training at Gulfshore Ballet combines Cuban, American and Russian technique and brings a quality of excellence not normally found outside major metropolitan cities.
Philosophy
Classical Ballet is one of the most beautiful yet arduous art forms. Time, effort and commitment from both the student and instructors are a prerequisite to realizing the true benefits of classical ballet. Correct instruction begun at the appropriate age is critical to the development of technically and artistically proficient ballet dancers.
The developmental transformation of a young child into a self-confident artist is the most rewarding part of ballet training. Our philosophy is to develop and support each dancer’s personal goals as they continue throughout their programs of study.
Organizational Values
- The qualities gained from the disciplined study of classical ballet are advantageous throughout life, even for those students not pursuing dance professionally.
- Beyond receiving ballet training of the highest caliber, Gulfshore Ballet students learn self-discipline, concentration, focus and creative expression—all of which serve to build character, confidence and a positive self-image.
- Gulfshore Ballet strives to increase accessibility to classical ballet and to develop a stronger appreciation of classical ballet throughout the greater community.
We are Southwest Florida’s Premier School of Classical Ballet
Our Vision
Gulfshore Ballet aims to continually expand the school of dancers through the inclusion of additional students, regardless of gender, ethnicity or personal circumstances
Our Mission
Gulfshore Ballet prepares students for professional dancing careers and promotes academic, athletic, cultural and social growth
The History of Gulfshore Ballet
Gulfshore Ballet, Southwest Florida’s premier not-for-profit school of classical ballet is a 501(c)(3) Florida not-for-profit corporation.
The school was founded by Melinda Roy, a former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet. Ms. Roy operated the school for 10 years, setting the foundation for Gulfshore Ballet to provide Classical dance training and education of the highest caliber.
Melinda Roy retired in 2011 but Gulfshore Ballet was fortunate to have former Miami City Ballet Principal Dancers, husband and wife, Franklin Gamero and Iliana Lopez take over as Artistic Directors.
In addition to performing and teaching careers in Ballet, both Iliana and Franklin have been the recipients of numerous awards for their outstanding contributions to Dance and the Arts.
Gulfshore Ballet and the community are very fortunate to have these three world renowned artists as the cornerstone for our Ballet School.
By 2018, The Board of Trustees continued the mission to develop and grow Gulfshore Ballet, expanding staff and increasing enrollment, culminating in the school’s relocation to our current studio with sprung floors, a costume and props room and a lovely waiting area for parents.
Gulfshore Ballet’s Board of Trustees goal is to provide continuous support for our Artistic Directors and Students while expanding Gulfshore Ballet’s performing and teaching opportunities.
The school continues to grow, offering classes from Pre-Ballet to Pre-Professional levels as well as Adult ballet and Adult pointe classes. Open Classes are given throughout the season during breaks in our regular schedule, allowing Students to continue their ballet training.
In the past few years we have added Ensemble I and Ensemble II, Saturday programs that really give the students a feel for what being a professional dancer entails.
As Student Dancers progress through the different Levels they take various classes in Technique, Pointe, Variations, Pas De Deux, Vaganova Floor Barre and Lyrical to give our students a well rounded curriculum.
In addition to our usual scheduled classes, Gulfshore Ballet provides Summer Intensive Programs which culminate with in studio performances at the end of the session.
Periodically, Guest teachers are invited to teach workshops and Master Classes, offering a wide range of classes in different genres of Dance.
Some of our renowned guest teachers have been Douglas Gawriljuk, Marife Gimenez, Ashley Bouder, Chad Luke Schiro, Rasta Thomas, Melinda Roy, Roberto Munoz and Jock Soto.
Our annual performance of The Nutcracker in collaboration with the Gulf Coast Symphony at the Barbara B Mann Performance Hall, is a well known and highly anticipated performance throughout the community and our students eagerly look forward to these performances which utilize professional scenery, costumes, lighting, sound and stage crew.
Gulfshore Ballet has also partnered with the Gulfcoast Opera for various Live performances.
Our wonderful school could not prosper without our generous donors, Friends of Gulfshore Ballet, Corporate sponsors, grants and the fantastic support system we have through our volunteers and Parents/Grandparents.
We appreciate all of your contributions, dedication, effort and commitment so much.
2020 marked the 20th anniversary of Gulfshore Ballet and we are dedicated to continuing the mission and vision that was created in 2000: to offer excellent ballet training in a positive and welcoming environment of learning and growth, which leads to a love for the beautiful art form of Ballet.
Franklin Gamero & Iliana Lopez, Artistic Directors
Franklin Gamero and Iliana Lopez began their career at home in Venezuela and continued through the San Francisco Ballet, the Cleveland Ballet and as soloists with the Deutsche Opera Berlin and the Deutsche Opera am Rhein in Dusseldorf, then in 1987 they became Principal Dancers with the Miami City Ballet where they remained for eighteen successful years.
