
Mini Mania
Dance Intensive
Mini Mania West - Los Angeles
March 31 - April 2, 2023
Mini Mania East - Miami
June 2 - 4, 2023

an exciting and innovative new program for young dancers ages 7-10 who are seeking future success at their home studio and francisco gella dance works preprofessional training programs
The Mini Mania Dance Intensive - an exciting and innovative new program being launched by Francisco Gella Dance Works! Mini Mania will give young dancers a head start by providing the necessary tools to understand the fundamentals of training from a technical and artistic capacity. By developing important foundational elements, our goal is to prepare our attendees for future success in both their home studio and our training experiences for older preprofessional dancers at future Francisco Gella Dance Works events.
Our organization’s mission is to create opportunities for dancers throughout every stage of their dance journey from age 7 to college so they have the tools they need to succeed. By planting seeds and encouraging young dancers to think for themselves while taking proper care of their bodies, minds and spirits we inspire focused growth.
Creating Opportunities at Every Stage of the Dance Journey.
Planting Seeds and Encouraging Young Dancers.
Expert Faculty Mentors Led by Master Teacher Francisco Gella.

Enrollment
General Registration and Teacher Passes will not be available until after audition notices are sent.
Mini Mania will enroll dancers by audition only for required in-person participation with optional teacher observer passes available. A limited number of teachers and directors are invited to observe classes throughout the weekend. A teacher pass must be purchased in advance.
After admission decisions are made, those accepted will be required to submit a 50% deposit to claim their space in the program. The remaining amount will be due at least one month before the program starts. Please note that deposits will require an additional fee of $9.95 for processing the payments.
Audition Deadlines
3/6
Auditions Close for Mini Mania West ( Los Angeles )
5/21
Auditions Close for Mini Mania East location ( Miami )
In-Person Enrollment
3-Days*
$445 for General Registration
*Participants must attend the entire program.
Teacher Observer Passes
3-Days
$195 for Teacher Passes
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 a few weeks after each 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.
Scholarship Application Deadlines
2/1
Deadline for Mini Mania West location
4/1
Deadline Mini Mania East location


Parent Involvement
Parents are invited to join the FGDW community through the Mini Mania Intensive, as we will supply them with the tools to understand and navigate through the dance journey.
Parents will be invited to attend select sessions, as we value your presence and involvement throughout the program. The faculty is excited to answer questions to assist in guiding you and your young dancers.
Eligibility
Mini Mania is for young dancers ages 7 to 10 who are currently training in a studio or school program. Dancers who audition should be currently enrolled in ballet classes and show a strong love for moving and dancing. Space is very limited in each location.

Mini Mania Schedule
Please Note That the Schedule Is Subject to Change
FRI
Day 1
5:00 PM to 5:45 PM - Registration
5:45 PM to 6:30 PM - Intro/Orientation & Warm Up
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM - Goal Setting & Feedback
SAT
Day 2
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Classes
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Parent Luncheon w/Francisco & Faculty
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Classes
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Pizza Party
SUN
Day 3
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Classes
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Classes
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Showcase & Parent Meeting
Student dancers are required to participate for the entire three days of the program to experience the desired results.

Class Size
To ensure proper attention is given to each young dancer, class size will be strictly limited to up to 35 dancers per classroom. Each faculty member will have at least one teaching assistant in their classroom.
About the Mini Mania Dance Intensive
In addition to exploring fundamental technique and artistic capacity, faculty will work closely with dancers to instill confidence, a necessary element of the dance journey. Students will receive support, guidance, and direction on the building blocks of a successful dance path.
We’ve infused a broad variety of classes in our curriculum, as versatility is a vital component for success. Dancers will explore a deep dive into musicality, hip hop, modern fundamentals, dance history, ballet technique, and more!
We will focus on the following elements:

Teaching Artists & Mentors

Francisco Gella (he/him)
Founding Artistic Director & Core Faculty
Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Improv, Choreography
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. Born in Bacolod City, Philippines, Francisco now resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Angela Carter (she/her)
Core Faculty
Jazz, Tap
Angela Carter is an award-winning choreographer, highly sought out international master teacher, and creative entrepreneur. She is Co-Owner and Director of Tap Into the Network, a touring tap dance intensive alongside Ryan Lohoff. Started by longtime partner Gregg Russell, TITN is now in their 15th season, providing exclusive training experience for both students and teachers. Within Tap Into the Network, Angela created an apprentice mentorship program offering performance and training opportunities, career guidance, and teaching/choreography coaching for students.
She has choreographed for United Nations International Women’s Month, and opening acts for artists such as Mary J. Blige. Her tap sounds were used in Disney’s Princess and the Frog and tap dance legend Al Gilbert’s Graded Technique. She has assisted tap legends Al Gilbert, Pat Rico and Henry LeTang to name a few. Angela is the author and creator of The Genius Guide to College Dance Programs, designed specifically to assist and coach students and parents through the college selection journey. Her intensive event, Breakthrough, will offer students a unique experience of professional training, mentorship, and access to the industry. Most recently, Angela has worked with Francisco Gella Dance Works. She can be heard on The Made with Purpose Podcast as well as Making the Impact Podcast. She is thrilled to join the team at Francisco Gella Dance Works!
More faculty to be announced soon…
Program Location
Mini Mania West

California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley provides an unparalleled arts and academic education in a creative, challenging, and nurturing environment to a diverse student body passionate about the arts, preparing them to reach their highest potential.
CSARTS is located at:
1401 Highland Avenue
Duarte, CA 91010
(Near Pasadena and Downtown LA)

Mini Mania East

The Moss Center presents national and international artists in music, dance and theater and also engages in extensive outreach and education initiatives. The Center is an integral part of the economic, social, and cultural development of the area, offering quality artistic programming and community accessibility.
DCMCAC is located at:
10950 SW 211 St.

Lodging
Below is a suggested list of hotels ranging in price, all in close proximity to the campus.
Audition Process
Component One
Mini Mania Application
Component Two
A Headshot in Color
Component Three
Video Submission
Video submission uploaded to either YouTube or Vimeo. A prepared solo, either ballet, modern, or contemporary, to musical accompaniment. The solo needs to be recent, performed in the last 12 months. You may use a video from a competition, recital performance, or recorded in the studio.
If the video requires a password to view, please provide it.
We cannot guarantee your submission will be reviewed if a required password is not provided.
Component Four
$45 Submission Fee
Audition Submission
March 6st 2023 - Auditions Close for Mini Mania West ( Los Angeles )
May 21st 2023 - Auditions Close for Mini Mania East ( Miami )
Cancellation / Refund Policy
No full refunds will be issued for registered participants. A 50% refund will be issued up to forty-five (45) 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, 100% of the tuition will be refunded up to thirty (30) days prior to the start of the program. If the illness or injury is reported to the program director under thirty (30) days prior to the start of the program, a 50% refund will be issued no more than five (5) business days after the completion of the program, and the other 50% may be used as a credit for another program in the next twelve (12) months that is produced and owned by Francisco Gella Dance Works. In the case of any injury or illness, a documented note or letter from a licensed physician must be submitted before a refund will be considered.
COVID Policy
The MINI MANIA team plans to hold the 2022 program in person with an accompanying virtual participation option. We will be fully contracted to hold Mini Mania onsite at the chosen location and have an approved COVID Safety Plan which will be adapted as necessary based on pandemic conditions, facility rules and protocols, and the guidance of the CDC and County requirements.
We strongly encourage all participating dancers to be fully vaccinated by the start of the intensive. All participants and faculty will be required to be fully vaccinated (as defined by the CDC at the time of the program) or if you are unable to be vaccinated, to get tested at your own expense less than 48 hours before the start of the program.
MINI MANIA will not be postponed or canceled under any circumstances. If necessary, the full program will be held in a virtual format. Those who have registered for in-person participation will be refunded the difference between the in-person rate and the virtual rate. No further refunds will be issued.
Feel free to contact us in the chatbox below or email us if you have any questions.