Ivonne Lemes-Mendez

Instructor

BALLET MISTRESS

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.

As a teacher and coach, Lemus-Mendez has taught at Coastal Dance Center, Jose Mateo Ballet Theater, and at Boston Ballet and Harbor University in Boston. Lemus joined the Patel Conservatory in August 2007 and is the Ballet Mistress for Next Generation Ballet. During her time at the Patel Conservatory, Lemus’ students placed 1st at the Youth America Grand Prix regional semi-finals (2008 and 2011); won the Silver Medal at the 2011 World Ballet Competition; won the 2011 YAGP regional semi-final Grand Prix; and won the 2011 Gold Medal in the Junior Division.

Classical Ballet, Pointe

More of our team

Ovations Dance Academy of Tampa was created to be more than a place to take dance classes. It is a space where young artists are supported, challenged, and celebrated as they grow, both on and off the stage.

Orlando Peña

Owner

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. A member...

Osmany Montano

Instructor

BALLET MAESTRO 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,...

Nicole Assaad

Instructor

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...

Iliana Babadjanova

Instructor

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,...

Kali Bartasavich

Instructor

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...

Marina Ehab

Instructor

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...

Danielle Jones

Instructor

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...

Amy Jo Walter

Instructor

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. For Amy Jo, the ultimate reward is the success...

Catherine Barnhill

Music Director

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. She has played in pit orchestras for numerous musicals and oratorios, as...

Guest Artists & Visiting Professionals

Throughout the season, Ovations welcomes accomplished guest artists who offer dancers valuable exposure to diverse styles, perspectives, and professional insight. These visits enrich training while inspiring students to explore what’s possible beyond the studio.

Madison Pineda Bender

Guest

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...

Kennedy Brown

Guest

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...

Brian Gonzales

Guest

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,...

Kelly King

Guest

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...

Makena Oglesby

Guest

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...

Ensel Ramos

Guest

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. A well resspected dancer Mr. Ramos has danced with The Natioanl Theatre...

Nathan Smith

Guest

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...

James Monroe Stevko

Guest

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...

Daniel Ulbricht

Guest

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...

Why Ovations Dance Academy

At Ovations Dance Academy of Tampa, we combine supportive instruction with structured training so dancers can grow with confidence. Our Acro program emphasizes proper technique, safe progressions, and a positive classroom environment, helping students develop skills that support dance performance and overall athletic ability.