Sheila Anne Hurtt originally from New Jersey started dancing at the age of 3 at the Woodbridge Theatre of Performing Arts. At the age of 12 she moved to Miami where she studied at the Miami Conservatory and was a member of the Miami Ballet under the direction of Thomas Armour. She is a member of the first graduating class of the New World School of the Arts and holds a BA in Fine Arts from the University of South Florida. Ms. Hurtt has been a teacher in various Tampa studios for the past 20 years and we have been lucky to have her as teacher, choreographer and mentor to our students for the past 10 years.

 

 

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lee Virgiliio received his early training and performance experience with the Louisiana Concert Ballet Company and the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre. He holds a MFA degree in Dance from Florida State University and has performed and choreographed for numerous dance companies throughout Florida including the Tallahasse Ballet and Southern Ballet Theatre in Orlando. Mr. Virgillio has danced principal roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppelia, Les Sylphides, Paquita, Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty, along with numerous contemporary works and his own choreographic repertoire. He has performed as a guest artist with companies in Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia, and La Paz, Bolivia. In addition to teaching Ballet technique - including pointe and partnering, acrobatics, and serving as director for several dance programs, he has also served as a coach, choreographer and program director for women’s competitive gymnastics teams. In addition to his experience as a dance artist and instructor, Lee has additional experiences performing as a musician and in theatre, as well as all aspects of stagecraft and theatrical production. He owns and operates Verge Video Productions, specializing in video and photography services for the arts. Examples of his work can be viewed on his web-site, www.vergevideo.com.

 

Debbie began studying all forms of dance at the age of 7 from Tampa's beloved Miss Ella Mae. During her teenage years, she was able to study with James Jamison and Roni Mahler, to name a few. She was also fortunate enough to study with Bill and Edith Royale, as a member of the Lakeland Civic Ballet, and be mentored by Lois Henry at St. Leo College in St. Leo, Florida, as a part of its dance company. Years later, she returned to study ballet at the college with Jackie Bryan. As a young adult, she moved to Miami and studied with the Miami Ballet under the direction of Thomas Armour, jazz with Joe Michaels, and tap and jazz with Ronn Daniels, joining Daniels' company, The South Florida Dance Theatre, while also singing and acting with the Hallandale Civic Theatre. She joined the Uriarte Dance Company and traveled in South America until an onstage foot injury abruptly ended her professional career, changing her destiny. Debbie's focus then changed to teaching, and she immersed herself in studying with the best: David Howard and Janice Barringer for ballet, Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett and Mia Michaels for jazz, Henry LeTang for tap, and Al Gilbert and Joan Lather for Children's Work. She became certified to teach through Florida Dance Masters and Dance Master's of America, and received her third ballet certification through the Dance Masters' Teacher's Training School at Kent State University in Ohio. Debbie was West Central Florida Director through Dance Masters and was asked to be part of the Examining Board. She also taught at the local Dance Masters conventions.

 

 

 

Melissa Fortmann began dancing at the age of 5 with the Kettering Youth Ballet in Dayton OH. At the age of twelve she began training at the Findlay Academy of Ballet where she was trained in ballet, modern, and jazz. During this time she participated in many summer intensives including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, and Boston Ballet. Melissa is currently a junior at the University of South Florida studying to attain her BA in Dance Studies as well as a minor in Business. Melissa is very involved in the school and is the treasurer of the Student Dance Production Board, which puts on a student-run dance performance every spring.

 

Although not a natural of ballet, Gladys inherited the love of art and beauty from her mother in the form of design and sewing. She has been the costume designer and director since the inception of the program. Through her ballet designs, she has won awards for her costumes at Starquest in 2002 and 2006. Her customers have also won awards for her costume designs in several competitions throughout the years. She has sold one of a kind designs worldwide and also has her costumes in local Gasparilla and Guavaween events. Her Masters in Human Resource Management degree will hopefully aid in the furthering of the Temple Terrace Ballet’s future.