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# Ovations Dance Academy: Where artistry meets community

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Grand Prix Dance Open America Top 20](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/grand-prix-dance-open-america-top-20/): Seven Ovation's girls participated in Grand Prix Dance Open America 2026 in Ft Lauderdale this past week.With over 300 participants, Mia Tanacs, Grace Crithfield, Ariana Prieto, Naha Oliveros, Rosa Alonso, Tatiana Sanches, and Mia Martinez, placed in the top 20. Mia Martinez placed 8th in Classical and 10th in Contemporary in the Top 10. Grace and Mia place 8th in their duet.
- [Broadway Breakout Jacob Pham Returns to Ovations for a Full Circle Moment](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/broadway-breakout-jacob-pham-returns-to-ovations-for-a-full-circle-moment/): Jacob Pham’s return to Ovations Repertory Company this weekend marks a full‑circle moment for a young artist whose journey began on the very stage he now revisits. After captivating Tampa audiences as Simba at Ovations’ The Lion King and then stepping into the same role on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre for the 2024–2025 season, he comes home to perform as the Scarecrow in The Wiz. His homecoming is more than a casting announcement; it’s a celebration of the artistic ecosystem that helped shape him.

## Pages
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- [Privacy Policy](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/privacy-policy/): Effective Date: 1/1/2026
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- [Acro](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/acro/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Hip Hop](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/hip-hop/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Jazz](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/jazz/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Homeschool Classes](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/homeschool-classes/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Musical Theatre](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/musical-theatre/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Tap Class](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/tap-class/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Contemporary](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/contemporary/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Variations](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/variations/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Pointe](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/pointe/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Classical Ballet](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/classical-ballet/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Combo Classes](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/combo-classes/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Tiny Tots](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/tiny-tots/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [Performances](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/performances/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
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- [Home](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/): Orlando Pena; Artistic Director
- [Programs](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/programs/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}
- [About](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/about/): {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":}

## Team
- [Noah Haeussner (Filmmaker)](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/noah-haeussner-filmmaker/): Noah C. Haeussner, a veteran producer with more than twenty years in film, television, and documentary work, is partnering with Orlando Pena and Ovations Dance Academy to create a documentary during the 2026 Summer Intensives. With experience spanning major studios such as Warner Bros., Paramount, Sony Pictures, and 20th Century Fox, and credits including Arctic, Janis: Little Girl Blue, Introducing Selma Blair, and Shawn Mendes: In Wonder, Noah brings a deep understanding of storytelling, production, and artistic discipline.
- [Catherine Barnhill](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/catherine-barnhill/): Music Director Catherine Barnhill graduated from BYU with a Bachelor’s of Music in French Horn Performance with a minor in Public Relations. Prior to transferring to BYU, she was the youngest Field Commander in Vanderbilt Marching Band history.
- [Daniel Ulbricht](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/daniel-ulbricht/): Daniel Ulbricht was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and began his dance training at the age of 11 at the Judith Lee Johnson Studio of Dance, studying with Lenny Holmes. He also studied at Les Jeunes Danseurs with Javier Dubraq and attended the Chautauqua Summer Dance Program, training with Jean Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. In 1999, Mr. Ulbricht was invited by the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, to continue his training during their Winter Program.
- [Makena Oglesby](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/makena-oglesby-2/): Makena Oglesby is a dancer, choreographer, and instructor based in Clearwater, Florida, with over five years of teaching experience. She has trained in ballroom, latin, social, and contemporary styles—including studying at Florida Gulf Coast University under former Paul Taylor Dance Company dancer Francis Huber—and has competitive dance experience, including successfully earning musical theatre and ballet awards through venues such as Streetz Dance Convention.
- [Amy Jo Walter](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/amy-jo-walter/): With a career shaped by training alongside legends like Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov, Amy Jo brings a world-class perspective to the studio. As a multi-award-winning choreographer, Amy Jo has been recognized for technical excellence and stagecraft, earning numerous honors for Best Choreography, Technique, and Most Entertaining performance.
- [Ava Stanziano](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/ava-stanziano/): Ava Stanziano is a classically trained dancer and instructor with over 14 years of experience in ballet and multiple dance disciplines. She has refined her training through prestigious summer intensives with Ovations, building a strong foundation in classical technique and artistry.
- [CATALINA MOORE](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/catalina-moore/): Catalina Moore trained in classical ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre, and modern, and, has completed the University of Iowa’s dance major program.
- [Danielle Jones](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/danielle-jones/): For Danielle Jones, the spark began early: a nine‑year‑old in a Broadway seat, wide‑eyed as Wicked unfolded before her. That moment set her on a lifelong path toward performance. A seasoned artist, Danielle has spent much of her life in front of audiences, most notably as a competitive figure skater beginning at age six. Since 2015, she has appeared in numerous musical productions, culminating in Newsies as her senior show. She has studied voice with Constantine Grame and has further refined her craft through multiple vocal intensives with the Florida VOICE Project.
- [Marina Ehab](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/marina-ehab/): Marina started her dance journey from a young age where she trained in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, modern, jazz, and acro. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2025 from the University of South Florida with her degrees in studio art and dance, where she trained professionally in numerous styles of dance. Her degree provided her with extensive training in professional dance education and choreography, as well as the ability to teach the correct techniques and provide a safe, positive environment physically & mentally for students. At USF, she was part of the Golden Bulls Dance Team, where she performed in numerous events, games, and showcases; and choreographed & performed for 2 consecutive team showcases. Moreover, she was a teacher/choreographer for Dance Club USF where she taught multiple styles of dance.
- [Kali Bartasavich](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/kali-bartasavich/): Kali Bartasavich is a North Carolina native whose training began at age three with a focus on ballet. She spent four years in the professional training program at Cary Ballet Conservatory, earning a Top 24 placement in Senior Women Classical at the 2020 Youth America Grand Prix, one of the world’s leading pre‑professional ballet competitions. In 2021, she entered the University of South Florida’s BFA Dance program with a concentration in ballet, where she expanded her work to include modern, contemporary, and choreography.
- [Iliana Babadjanova](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/iliana-babadjanova/): Ms. Bababjanova is a performer, pedagogue, choreographer, and director. She graduated Cum Laude from the Sofia National School of Dance Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria. During the last two years at the school, she was selected to perform in the corps de ballet with the National Ballet and Opera Theater. Upon graduation, she joined the company, where she danced for eight years.
- [Nicole Assaad](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/nicole-assaad/): Nicole Assaad began her ballet training at age eight at the Patel Conservatory under the instruction of Julio Montano and Sandra Robinson. After one year, she moved to All American Classical Ballet School in Tampa, Florida, where she continued six years of rigorous classical ballet training with Julio Montano and Gisell Durand. She earned numerous awards and scholarships from competitions including the Youth America Grand Prix and the American Dance Competition, where she was a gold medalist and recipient of the Fernando Bujones Award. She also competed at the World Ballet Competition, receiving the third‑place medal and a cash prize in the final round in 2012.
- [Osmany Montano](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/osmany-montano/): Born in Cuba, Osmany Montano trained at the Escuela Nacional de Ballet in La Habana under Alicia Alonso, Ramona De Saá, and Magda Campo, earning a Silver Medallion at the Cuban Ballet Festival. He danced with the Cuban National Ballet, Ballet of Santiago de Cuba, Ballet of Camagüey, and the National Ballet of Caracas, performing internationally across Europe, Latin America, and the United States with companies including Tulsa Ballet and Sarasota Ballet.
- [Ivonne Lemes-Mendez](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/ivonne-lemes/): Ivonne Lemus-Mendez began her dance studies at the Provincial Arts School in Pinar del Rio, Cuba and then was selected to continue her training at the National School of Ballet in Havana, Cuba. After graduating she joined the Ballet National of Cuba, where she was trained by Alicia Alonso, Josefina Mendez, Loipa Araufo and Laura Alonso. She was promoted to soloist and later joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Canada. She has appeared in various works including Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppelia, Les Sylphides, La Fille Mal Gardee, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Raymonda Theme and Variations, Apollo, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Carmina Burana.
- [James Monroe Stevko](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/james-monroe-stevko/): James Monroe Števko is a NY-based dancer, actor and choreographer. Originally a trumpet player with his sights set on music, he began dancing in college at the age of 18. He has danced with: the Rockettes in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Milwaukee Ballet, The MUNY, The Met Gala and Youtube Upfronts with Katy Perry, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and regional theaters.
- [Nathan Smith](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/nathan-smith/): Nathan Smith is a professional ballet dancer currently performing with The Sarasota Ballet. Born in Buffalo, NY, he trained at the American Academy of Ballet and later continued his pre-professional studies at Miami City Ballet School. He began his professional career with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre before joining The Sarasota Ballet in 2025. Nathan has performed in a wide range of classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works, including Allegro Brillante, Western Symphony, and The Four Temperaments by George Balanchine; numerous ballets by Sir Frederick Ashton; and Romeo and Juliet by Jean-Christophe Maillot with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. He has also participated in the creation and performance of various new contemporary works. Nathan is excited to bring his professional experience into the studio and strives to inspire the next generation of dancers with a focus on strong technique, musicality, and a genuine love for the art form.
- [Ensel Ramos](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/ensel-ramos/): Esnel Ramos -International Guest Artist -Cavalier Mr. Ramos began his studies from his native country at The Natioanl Ballet Company at The Great Theatre of Havana under the direction of Madam Alicia Alonso and the Director Carlos Acosta.
- [Kelly King](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/kelly-king/): After completing her time with the Alvin Ailey Dance Center, Kelly King became a Radio City Rockette for 12 years and performed extensively on television, stage, and film. She toured nationally with the Broadway show Fosse. Her other credits include Dancing With the Stars, The Tonight Show, the MTV Music Awards, NBC’s WOW Awards at Lincoln Center,  Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Today Show, and a performance with the Pussycat Dolls at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
- [Brian Gonzales](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/brian-gonzales/): Brian Gonzales began his classical training in 2003 at the Elementary Ballet School Alejo Carpentier and continued his studies at the National School of Ballet Fernando Alonso. In 2013, he joined the National Ballet of Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso. As a member of the company’s artistic cast, he performed principal and character roles in works from the traditional repertoire, including Don Quixote, La Fille mal Gardée, and Swan Lake.
- [Kennedy Brown](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/kennedy-brown/): Named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2021, Kennedy Brown received her formal training at Master Ballet Academy in Arizona, A & A Ballet in Chicago, and from Magaly Suarez at The Art of Classical Ballet in Florida. Throughout her career, Brown has been awarded several opportunities to share her passion and talent across the globe. In 2014, she was invited to compete and represent the United States in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. She was named a gold and silver medalist at the Youth America Grand Prix and was a guest performer at the 60th Anniversary of the Beijing Academy in China and the Lodz Dance Festival in Poland.
- [Orlando Peña](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/orlando-pena/): Mr. Orlando Peña is the former Artistic Director/ Choreographer of Ovations Dance Academy, Inc. of Bohemia, NY from 1997-2020, and was an Artist in Residence at East Woods School in Oyster Bay, NY for seven years. Additionally, he founded Ovations Dance Repertory Company, a non-profit organization, in 1997.
- [Madison Pineda Bender](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team/madison-pineda-bender/): Madison Pineda Bender began her early dance training in Sacramento, CA, and Keller, TX. At 16, she moved to New York City to attend The Joffrey Ballet School Jazz and Contemporary Program. In 2021, she earned her B.F.A. in Dance from The Juilliard School, and was awarded the Martha Hill Award and the Juilliard Career Advancement Fellowship Grant.

## Highlighted Events
- [Showcase 2026](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/highlighted-event/showcase-2026/): End of the season showcase. A time to celebrate all of our children's achievements 

## Team Categories
- [Guest](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team-category/guest/)
- [Instructor](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team-category/instructor/)
- [Music Director](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team-category/music-director/)
- [Owner](https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/team-category/owner/)