6870 E. Fowler Ave., Temple Terrace, Florida 33617
Lee Virgillio
Artistic Director, Ballet Master
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lee Virgillio received his early training and performance experience with the Louisiana Concert Ballet Company and the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Florida State University and has performed and choreographed for numerous dance companies throughout Florida including the Tallahassee 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.
Marlo Hilton Almonte
Hip-Hop I, II, & Teen/Adult; Jazz I/II; Modern I & II; Teen/Adult Ballet
"Dance less out of habit and more out of intent," is the expression symbolic to Marlo's formula for a well-rounded dance class. A native to Florida, she has been dancing for 38 years and a dance teacher for 22 years. She has studied dance at Broadway Dance Centre in New York, Jacksonville University, and the University of South Florida. While at USF, she received a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education and was certified to teach in the public school system. She has studied dance styles including ballet, modern, contemporary, lyrical, pointe, hip hop, jazz, tap, clogging, musical theatre, baton, acrobatics, gymnastics, african dance, belly dance, ethnic and folk dance, improvisation, choreography, and movement analysis. She has studied with artists such as Madam Darvash, Tony Coppola, Michael Foley, Laurie Ann Gibson, Geri Houlihan, Sifiso Kweyama, Liz Lerman, Finis Jhung, Chris Judd, Mia Michaels, Brice Mousset, Sandra Robinson, Shane Sparks, Gretchen Ward, and Ms. Vee. She has performed for Walt Disney World, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the National Football League, the University of South Florida, and several college bowl games, as well as televised events. She has received numerous titles, choreography awards, and other recognitions as an educator, teacher, choreographer, and director. She has also choreographed for other venues including television commercials, plays, musicals, art schools, cheerleading squads, pageants and church functions. Marlo was the Artistic Director, Choreographer, and Dancer for Asher Dance Eclectic, a professional dance company that incorporates and encourages persons with disabilities. Marlo is looking forward to sharing her passion by educating and training dancers at the Performing Arts Center of Temple Terrace in a professional environment that is full of fun, hard work, and dedication.
Ella Luzey
Pre-Ballet; Mini-Acro
Ella has been a student at TTB for 9 years. Her primary focus has been Ballet, and she also has extensive experience in Acrobatics as well as numerous classes in Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, and Tap. She has had several noteworthy roles including 'Sven' in "Frozen", the 'Flower Girl' in "Gaite Parisienne", and the 'Snow Queen' in "The Nutcracker". Ella has served as a Class Assistant and Student Instructor for several years, filling in as the lead teacher when needed. She has developed a great fondness for working with the youngest students and is delighted to take on the role as their primary dance teacher.
Gary Flannery
Professor Emeritus
Gary Flannery, is a professional performer who toured the world as Shirley MacLaine’s partner; was a Principal Dancer on many TV Shows and Hollywood movies; and was Bob Fosse’s LEAD dancer on Broadway in “PIPPIN” and “DANCIN”. He was also Fosse’s Principal Dancer in the movie “ALL THAT JAZZ!” Gary serves as a strong leader, teaching Master Classes, Lectures, and Seminars at Universities, Dance Schools and Colleges around the world! He teaches ANY level of **FOSSE REP** along with Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Musical Theatre & hip-hop, as well as giving lectures on Dance and Musical Theatre History. He is passionate about choreographing, directing & writing for plays, musicals, and revues. Gary Flannery received scholarships in ballet to Balanchine’s School of American Ballet and the Juilliard School, and while still training as a teenager, became Bob Fosse’s protégé. Bob Fosse called him the “Bull” for the shear non-stop, dance-till-you-drop attitude he took into rehearsals and performances. Fred Astaire, upon seeing Gary perform in the Fosse musical Dancin' in 1979 proclaimed, “It was one of the greatest dance performances he had ever seen!” Gary is now working on finishing and promoting his 23 years of work on a historically revealing project "The Great American Revue.” Books, documentaries and revivals are currently being planned. We are extremely fortunate and honored to have Mr. Flannery share his knowledge and experience with our dancers.
Mr. Gary is currently taking a break from teaching to focus on family matters. We hope to have him back with us as fortunes allow.
