7 Days.
60 Hours of Exceptional Training.
6 Stellar Faculty-Mentors.
1 Unforgettable & Life-Changing Experience.

Ballet+ is a comprehensive intensive designed to help students build a solid technical foundation in ballet, modern, and jazz while cultivating a distinct and authentic artistic voice.

We meet each dancer—whether from a competitive or conservatory background—at their current stage of development. Our dedicated faculty journey alongside every student, recognizing their individuality, fostering growth, and challenging them to reach their highest potential.

Often described as a "breath of fresh air" by dancers, parents, teachers, and directors, all Francisco Gella Dance Works programs share one core mission: to transform dedicated young dancers into remarkable human beings and exceptional artists.

We believe in nurturing all dancers, regardless of body type or background; inspiring them to embrace the idea that anything is possible with hard work, purpose, and courage.

Enrollment

We are currently taking 50% deposits so that you may hold your space in the program, the remaining amount is due on May 1. Ballet+ staff will contact you with payment information just before the due date. Please note that deposits will require an additional $9.95 processing fee.  ENROLL EARLY - THIS PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO SELL OUT ONCE AGAIN.

The Joan Myers Brown
Equity Dance Scholarship Fund

A limited amount of scholarships are available for especially deserving dancers. Scholarships will be allocated according to the combined consideration of both merit and financial need. Decisions on scholarships will be made about two weeks after each early deadline. Since a  limited amount of scholarship awards will be offered, it is better to apply by the early deadline. Please click below to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.

About Ballet+ (Beyond Technique)

Schedule

To help you prepare for the experience, here is a downloadable PDF of LAST SUMMER’s Ballet+ schedule as an example of what you can expect this year. The 2026 schedule will be shared in the spring, closer to the program launch.

June 7-13 (estimated daily schedule)

Class Size

Every class will have a teaching assistant to work with the teaching artists, properly demonstrating what is being asked for and in making corrections with the students. Up to 50 dancers will be admitted into each class. Classes will be based on age group, although faculty reserve the right to move a student to a different class if it is obvious they will benefit from the change.

Teaching Artists & Mentors

Francisco Gella’s distinguished thirty-year career as a compelling dancer, award-winning choreographer, and widely recognized dance educator, began when he took his first formal dance class during his freshman year at the age of nineteen. His innovative choreography and highly effective teaching methods are sought after by professional companies, universities, arts high schools, ballet conservatories, and studios across North America and around the globe.  

In addition to a successful performance and choreographic career, Francisco is a renowned educator, artistic director, and arts entrepreneur. He is the founding co-artistic director of Zeitgeist Dance Theatre launched in January of 2020. He is also the founding artistic director of NUEVO School of Contemporary Dance and COLABO Youth Dance Collective (2008-2015). As Chief Creative Officer of Francisco Gella Dance Works, he has created numerous influential educational programs; Ballet+ (Beyond Technique) workshops, the Preprofessional Dancer Institute, New Year’s Training Camp, Seattle Dance Advance, the New Century Dance Project (a festival for choreography and performance) and the College Dance and Career Prep program. Additionally, Francisco is the lead ballet and modern faculty member, and adjudicator for the 24 Seven Dance Convention.

Kelby Brown is an ABT Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training in Pre-primary thru Level 6, 7 and Partnering, of the ABT National Training Curriculum. Kelby Brown received his early training at the Pelagie Green Wren Academy of Dance, as well as the Alexandra School of Ballet in St. Louis, Missouri. He went on to study at Walnut Hill School of the Arts, and received a full scholarship to continue his professional training at the School of American Ballet, the official School of the New York City Ballet. Kelby has taught and partnered with the School of American Ballet, as a National Visiting Fellow, and serves on the Alumni Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. As a performer and classically trained dancer, he has performed with State Ballet of Missouri, Ballet Chicago, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pacific NW Ballet and Los Angeles Ballet. Some of his favorite ballets he performed by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, include Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Valse Fantasie, Fanfare, Allegro Brilliante and Concerto Barocco. He danced featured roles on some of the most notable stages including, The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, as well as the Los Angeles Opera. As a commercial dancer he has performed with Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Usher and Cirque du Soleil’s, Mystère. As a Choreographer, he has worked with Justin Timberlake, ( for the Kids Choice Awards), as well as, MTV’s Awkward and Warner Brothers Spring Breakdown. Kelby the Dance Educator, has held faculty positions at some of the most respected institutions in America, including American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey, Joffrey Ballet and Pace University. Kelby continues to teach and inspire, and is noted as a memorable influence in the dance community.

Jeffrey Lloyd Smith is currently an Assistant Professor at New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida and teaches modern, contemporary, and filmmaking for dance. In addition to choreographing, he stages works by Paul Taylor and serves as rehearsal director for artists like Ohad Naharin, Mark Morris, and Darshan Singh Bhuller. Prior to his current position, Jeffrey was an Assistant Professor at Tulane University and holds a BFA from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and an MFA from Florida State University. Highlights from his performing career include The Paul Taylor Dance Company, The Martha Graham Ensemble, and Taylor 2.

Courtney Ortiz is a New York City based professional dancer, educator, adjudicator and proud YoungARTS award winner. Her professional dance and teaching career has allowed her to travel the world performing in places such as: Dubai, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Germany, Australia, and France. Her career spans from stage to screen with credits including: the Broadway National Tour of Finding Neverland, Lin Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes, and the first ever revival in 30 years of Jerome Robbins’ Broadway at The Muny’s 100th Season! You can also catch Courtney’s feet tap dancing in the hit FX series, “Fosse/Verdon”, where she was the dance double for Young Bob Fosse! One of her favorite and most memorable credits was performing original Jerome Robbins’ choreography throughout Europe on the International Tour of the classic musical West Side Story.

Outside of performing, Courtney is an international dance educator and in-demand dance adjudicator. She has been teaching on faculty with numerous dance conventions for over 10 years. Courtney is on guest faculty at the legendary Steps on Broadway and currently serves as the audition choreographer for RWS Entertainment Group where she travels worldwide to audition dancers for future opportunities on cruise ships. Courtney is also the proud owner of Impact Dance Adjudicators and the host of their popular dance podcast Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast. This season, she will be on tour with The Streetz Dance Convention as their jazz faculty and teacher judge! She absolutely loves sharing her passion for dance with the next generation and encourages all dancers to do what they love and live their dream! Follow her on Instagram @courtney.ortiz and tune in to her dance podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Alejandra (Ale) Preciado is originally from Panama City, Panama where she started dancing at three years old. After her family relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah she continued her training until finishing her high school dance education at the Ballet West Academy. Ale attended the Alonzo King Lines Ballet B.F.A. Program at Dominican University. During her time there, she studied ballet, contemporary, modern, and the GYROTONIC® method. After graduating college in 2019, she began freelance work in San Francisco with multiple organizations such as SFDANCEWORKS. In 2021 Ale joined NW Dance Project as a company artist where she has performed works by Sarah Slipper, Ihsan Rustem, Yin Yue, Joseph Hernandez, Caroline Finn, Bryan Arias, and many more. In her time at NW Dance Project Ale has also taught at their intensives and school. She is eager and passionate to share her experiences with the next generation.

After taking her first class over 20 years ago, Gretchen instantly became hooked on the body, mind, and spirit connection of the Pilates Method.  In 2008, she obtained her first certification in Mat Pilates under Teri Steele through Dance New Amsterdam in NYC.  She then went on to continue her education and received her Comprehensive Certification on all Pilates Apparatus through Polestar Pilates in Miami in 2010 and eventually became an Educator with Polestar Pilates. Gretchen has taken Advanced Teacher Training courses in Osteoporosis, Scoliosis, Women’s Health (including pre/post natal), Pilates for the Dancer, Pilates for Rotational Sports, and Pilates for Hip and Knee Replacements, as well as Pilates for MS™ & Neurological Conditions.

For the fifth year in a row at Ballet+, selected members and alumni of Francisco’s professional company - Zeitgeist Dance Theatre - will join our team as teachers, mentors, and teaching assistants. This unique opportunity gives dancers a chance to engage with ZDT dancers, exploring the possibility of joining as a company member or trainee. We will announce who will be joining us from Zeitgeist Dance Theatre when those decisions have been made!

Program Location

The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center provides a world-class, multi-disciplinary cultural venue and community gathering place in the southern part of Miami-Dade County. The Center plays a key role in the economic and cultural development of the area and opened on October 1, 2011. 

In addition to providing a diverse range of quality entertainment to people from all backgrounds and ages, the Center’s mission emphasizes educational and outreach activities in partnership with community groups. The Center’s multiple rehearsal and performing spaces also offer accessible state-of-the-art facilities to the Miami-Dade artistic community, presenters, and audiences throughout South Florida.

The Moss Center is located at:
10950 SW 211th St.
Miami, FL 33189

Lodging

The Ballet+ staff will arrange for a limited number of discounted hotel rooms for dancers and families traveling from a distance. Please note that the hotel will be about 15-20 minutes from the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center.

We will post booking information here by January 1. You'll want to make your reservations early since there is a limited number of rooms available. If you find the discount block is fully booked, please contact us at Ballet+ and we will see if we can have more rooms released.

About Miami, Florida

From the sizzling nightlife of South Beach to the authentic Cuban flavors of Little Havana, Miami offers one of the richest cultural experiences of any city in the United States. Its diverse neighborhoods house everything from world-famous street art to world-class restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, and cultural venues. Miami's colorful history is matched only by the vibrancy and verve of the modern global city it's continually blossoming into today.

Miami has attracted the world's most daring and creative minds since its evolution from native Tequesta lands to the promising new frontier of railroad tycoon Henry Flagler in the late 1800s. A developing father of Florida, Flagler expanded his Florida East Coast Railway to Miami in 1896 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, Miami is a destination for lovers of art, design, food, shopping, and even the great outdoors. Read on for Travel + Leisure's ultimate guide to the Magic City, covering everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip.

– Taken from 'Travel+Leisure' magazine, March 2, 2021

Cancellation / Refund Policy

No full refunds will be issued for registered participants. A 50% credit to another program will be issued with cancellations made up to sixty days prior to the start of the program. An exception will be made for documented medical or health reasons due to an unforeseen injury or illness. For dancers with an injury or illness that prevents them from participating, 75% of the tuition will be refunded up to forty-five days prior to the start of the program. If the illness or injury reported to the program director is under 30 days, a 50% refund will be issued no more than five business days after the completion of the program. In the case of any injury or illness, a documented note or letter from a licensed physician on their letterhead must be submitted prior to the start of the program, before a refund will be considered. Injuries or illnesses that take place after the program begins, or that are reported after the program begins, are not eligible for a credit or refund

Feel free to contact us in the chat box below or email us at balletplus@franciscogelladance.com if you have any questions.