Gulfshore Ballet is relocating to a larger, better-equipped facility that will enable the non-profit organization to expand its reach and train even more aspiring dancers. With the goal of opening in January 2017, the company plans to move just two miles south of its longtime Andrea Lane address to the new facility located at 5636 Youngquist Drive, just east of U.S. 41. The new facility boasts more than 6,000 square feet, an expansion of nearly 2,400 square feet more than the school’s current location.
The premier classical ballet school will offer three fully equipped studios complete with mirrors, barres, flooring and sound system, along with an improved parent waiting room, enhanced office facilities, increased storage and better accessibility for Gulfshore Ballet families.
“After 16 years of establishing the standard of excellence in dance in Southwest Florida, this expansion is pivotal to the growth of Gulfshore Ballet. We’re thrilled to enhance our instruction offerings, grow enrollment and expand the school’s reach in the community,” said Gulfshore Ballet Executive Director Lisa Tafel.
The space will better accommodate greater numbers of deserving students and enable more simultaneous classes to respond to the increasing demand for instruction. The new facilities will also enable Gulfshore Ballet to continue its expansion of free community outreach programs, which currently offer classical ballet programs to other charitable organizations such as The Quality Life Center.
Under the artistic direction of former Miami City Ballet principals Iliana Lopez and Franklin Gamero, each year Gulfshore Ballet trains nearly 100 male and female students, age 4 through adult. The company has trained countless dancers who participate in summer intensive dance schools during the off season and have been accepted to prestigious schools throughout the United States, including Orlando Ballet, Saratoga Summer Dance Intensive, The School of American Ballet and The New York City Ballet, The Ailey School, NY and Sarasota Ballet.
Gulfshore Ballet
With one of the most professionally acclaimed teaching faculties in Southwest Florida, Gulfshore Ballet is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit corporation, organized and operated for the charitable purpose of providing classical ballet education and performance opportunities to students following a structured curriculum. Part of the mission of Gulfshore Ballet is to prepare students for professional dancing careers and to promote academic, athletic, cultural and social growth. Learn more at www.gsballet.org.
