Nicole Assaad started dancing ballet at age 8 at the Patel Conservatory under Julio Montano and
Sandra Robinson’s training. After a year, she moved to All American Classical Ballet School in
Tampa, Florida where she followed Julio Montano and Gisell Durand for 6 years of rigorous
classical ballet training. She won many awards and scholarships from competitions such as the
Youth America Grand Prix, American Dance Competition, as gold medalist and a recipient of
the Fernando Bujones Award, and World Ballet Competition, receiving the third
place medal and cash prize in the final round in 2012.

At age 15, she moved to New York City to study with the Gelsey Kirkland Academy under a full
scholarship and received training directly from the world renowned Gelsey Kirkland along with
Lyubov Fominch, Vera Solovieva and Nikolay Levitskiy. At age 16, she joined
the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet Studio Company, performing roles, such as “Marie” and
“Sugarplum” in The Nutcracker, “Columbina” in Harlequinade, “Jeanne” in the Flames of Paris
pas de deux, “Kitri” in Don Quixote, Diamond, Charity fairy and the Bluebird pas de deux in
the Sleeping Beauty, along with many other roles.

At age 18, she joined the Hong Kong Ballet’s corps de ballet under the direction of
Madeleine Onne, where she performed in productions such as Romeo and
Juliet, Coppelia, Pinnochio, Carmen, Lady of the Camelias, among other grand productions that
toured in Canada, the US, Macau, and Mainland China. She received coaching from Cynthia
Harvey, Krzysztof Pastor, Herve Palito and other prestigious guest choreographers and master
teachers while dancing in Hong Kong.

Assaad has been dancing locally with the Tampa City Ballet since 2020 and is a guest artist with
various companies and schools around Florida and throughout the United States, having
appeared in award-winning dance films such as “102 Degrees” and “Un-Der-Line.” She teaches
throughout the Tampa Bay Area specializing in ballet and contemporary classes as well as
private coaching and freelance choreography for both competitions and professional productions.

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...

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...

Brian Gonzales

Instructor

Brian Gonzales began 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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

Nicole Assaad