Astrid Audet began her ballet training at the late age of twelve at the Fort Lauderdale Ballet Classique under the direction of Magda Auñon and went on to study at the world-renowned Harid Conservatory under full scholarship at age sixteen. At these prestigious schools she performed soloist and principle roles in such famous Ballets including: The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Le Corsaire, Cinderella, La Bayadere, & Paquita, among others. It is during this time that she discovered and developed her true passion and love for the art and beauty of Ballet.

In 1990, Astrid received the coveted Presidential Scholar in the Arts award from hundreds of high school senior applicants nationwide and was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC before President George Bush and the first lady. Astrid’s other awards include: 1st place recipient for the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts and 3rd place recipient for the National Arts and Letters Recognition Competition. She also received numerous scholarships to study at America’s finest Ballet schools and companies including: American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, & Pennsylvania Ballet, among others.

From 1990 to 1992, at age 17, Astrid became among the youngest members to dance professionally with the acclaimed Boston Ballet. It was here that she gained her experience and expertise training among the best of dancers and ballet masters worldwide. She also enjoyed touring throughout the Northeast region and dancing repertoire from many famous Ballets and new contemporary works as well. After a difficult year of injury, Astrid came home and began her college studies at Florida Atlantic University and also began teaching ballet locally as she tried to heal her body. It was during this time that she discovered her love for teaching and working with children. In 1996, Astrid graduated with high honors from the New World School of the Arts in Miami earning her BFA degree in Dance and Teaching Certificate from the University of Florida in Gainesville.

For the past 25 years, Astrid has been teaching and choreographing throughout South Florida’s finest dance academies including her very first ballet school, Magda Auñon School of Ballet and Meg Segretos Dance Center, International Ballet Academy, University Center for the Performing Arts, Dance Academy of North Lauderdale, and Many But One. She is a certified teacher and educator through Florida Dance Masters and has worked for the association as a master teacher and guest choreographer. In 1995, Astrid was honored with a nomination for Who’s Who among America’s best teachers, an honor she holds very dear to her heart. In 2004, Astrid’s choreography of her own creation to “Pachabel’s Canon” for the Fort Lauderdale Ballet Classique won the Monticello Award at the renowned South Eastern Regional Ballet Festival. Students from Astrid’s Academy have won numerous awards and scholarship in the past years at local conventions and competitions as well as have gone on to dance in many of America’s leading professional companies and colleges including Boston Ballet, New York City Ballet, Joffrey, Ballet, Houston Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, New World School of the Arts, North Carolina School of the Arts, UCLA, NYU, UF, and FSU among others.

In 1997, Astrid began her yoga practice, which became another love of hers, and in 2003 Astrid was invited to participate in a local Yoga Exhibition that granted her a first place award for the state of Florida and landed her a spot at the International Yoga Exposition in Los Angeles, California. She traveled to LA and came home with the Bronze medal from thousands of participants from all over the world including China, Japan, and India. She also enjoys running outdoors and participated in her first marathon in February of 2012.

Astrid and her husband Robert, along with their two daughters Gabrielle (19) and Annabelle (15) reside in East Fort Lauderdale where she continues to teach and share her passion and joy for ballet with children of all ages. This year Gabrielle, an accomplished dancer and excellent student and currently attends the University of Florida pursuing a double major in Dance and Journalism. Annabelle continues to dance and is in high school at Westminster Academy.  She wishes to thank above all, Her Lord God Almighty for His grace and guidance and His greatest gift of salvation, as well as her family and friends for all their love and support and all her “Beautiful Ballerinas” for allowing her to share her gifts and talents with them. It is, without doubt, the most rewarding of all her accomplishments, to give back her gift and passion to help shape her students’ lives.

Natalie Parcinski began her dance career when she was 5 years old at The Kit Andree Dance and Performing Arts Center in Denver, CO. She trained under the instruction of the fabulous Miss Kit Andree and her ever talented daughter Miss Phan Peterson. Natalie was extensively trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, Broadway and musical theater, lyrical and cheer. She attended many dance workshops including Dance Caravan, and competed in various local and national competitions.

In college, Natalie danced with the nationally competitive University of Colorado Buff Gold Dance Team. She was also recognized as a Top Dancer through the National Dance Alliance. During her second year, she was appointed as one of the Team Captains which eventually evolved into a choreographer and even a coaching position.

Throughout her dancing career, Natalie has always loved performing. From this passion developed the desire to share and teach others about the love of the stage. She has taught at studios in Colorado and Michigan focusing mainly on the tap, jazz and lyrical styles.

In 2013, Natalie and her husband welcomed their first daughter into the world, only 3 weeks after the annual recital! Her bundle of joy joins two dog children in their home in Fort Lauderdale. She and her husband are both attorneys, but she believes that dance adds a balance to her life that she thoroughly enjoys.

Francys Torres is proud of her Puerto Rican/Cuban heritage. Raised in Fort Lauderdale, she danced for 10 years at Mrs.P’s Dance and Acrobatics studio located in Coral Springs. During those years, Francys competed in group and solo numbers in different competitions and conventions such as Stars, Intrigue, CanDance, Hollywood vibe, and more! Francys grew as a dancer and decided to continue her dance career at DANL dance center In Coconut Creek for her last 2 years being of high school. DANL opened many doors for her. During those two years she competed at Starpower Nationals, Step it up, Onstage New York and more. While Francys was dancing her heart out, she also started working in the gymnastics industry. Francys has been a certified gymnastics instructor since 2012. She is currently working at American Twisters in Coconut creek and she is also currently attending Broward College, striving for a major in Business and a minor in Dance. While doing all these things Francys is also a Bang Energy fitness model. This job includes dancing in fashion shows, choreographing dances, promoting sport and nutrition supplements, energy drinks, and fitness/bikini clothing. Francys is super excited for this upcoming year teaching at the Astrid Audet Academy of Ballet.

Gia Acevedo found a love for dance at an early age as she began her dance training at the age of 2, and later began her training with Ms. Astrid at the age of 7. Gia has most recently been training with the senior company with Ms. Astrid, and currently continues to advance her technique at the academy. She has studied ballet, pointe, pas de deux, contemporary tap, jazz, modern & hip hop. Gia has participated in many of Ms. Astrid’s recitals and most recently got the chance to dance as Lumiére in Beauty and the Beast. Not only has she performed in the recitals but, she also has performed in the Academy’s annual Nutcracker as well. Gia went from performing in the Nutcracker as a soldier to performing as the Arabian for 3 consecutive years. She also has gained a lot of experience from participating in summer classes as well as summer intensive; also from attending convention classes from amazing guest teachers and competing. Gia has experience in teaching since she assisted and taught for many years now, and only hopes to continue.

Born in Cuba, Lorenzo began his ballet training at the National School of Ballet of Cuba and then graduated with honors from the Royal Conservatory of Professional Dance “Mariemma” in Madrid, being recognized as the best graduate of his class. He went on to dance professionally with Víctor Ullate Ballet for six seasons, performing in numerous works by Ullate, including Jaleos, Samsara, Après toi, El Amor Brujo, Carmen, Wonderland, and El Arte de la Danza, among others. Lorenzo joined the Tulsa Ballet in 2018. Since joining the company, he has performed in Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin, Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella and Kurt Jooss’ The Green Table. He won the second prize at the International Ballet Competition in Havana, Cuba in 2003.

Gabrielle Audet began her dance training at the very early age of 2 and has not stopped since! Her training includes Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Contemporary, Modern & Hip Hop among others and is at an advanced level in her technique. Gabby dances with the Senior Company at Astrid Audet Academy under the direction of her mother along with many other excellent professional teachers.

Gabrielle has performed extensively in the past 11 recital productions at the Academy as well as in all 9 of the Academy’s annual Nutcracker Ballets where she began as an angel, mouse and soldier; to Clara and most recently the Snow Queen Sugar Plum and Grand Pas-de-deux. Gabrielle has also competed in 7 of the Florida Dance Masters annual conventions, earning high gold, platinum and Encore awards for her performances. She is also active in the community & church- participating in many local events, mission trips & ministries. Gabrielle also has extensive experience and training in gymnastics and acro-tumble through Fort Lauderdale Stars Teams, Kimling’s Gym, and at the Academy. She has been a cheerleader captain and flyer for her school, Westminster Academy, for the past 6 years where she also competed in states.She was honored to receive the Freshman, Sophomore, and Senior Scholar Athlete Awards- in recognition of the highest GPA for varsity athletes in her class. Gabby has been assisting and teaching classes and summer camp at the Academy for the past several years and is beloved by all her students and parents! She currently attends the University of Florida in Gainesville and is pursing a double major in Dance and Journalism.

Emily Chu, from Saratoga Springs, NY, found her love of dance at an early age. She spent her early years dancing at various local studios and spent her summers at the Nutmeg Conservatory, Saratoga Summer Dance Intensive, and American Academy of Ballet, among others. She began her pre-professional career at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA, where she graduated with a major in ballet, directed by Mr. Michael Owen. In 2015, she received her BFA in ballet from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), directed by Ms. Shellie Cash and Mr. Qi Jiang, where she was able to further her training into contemporary, modern, choreography, and pedagogy.

Julie Cigankova began her dance training at the age of 3 with Josi Geyer of Expressions of Joy. She has trained in various styles of dance including Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Modern. She has taken part in performances such as Narnia, Coppeila, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and also participates in Astrid’s Annual Nutcracker. She has performed lead roles in Nutcracker including Clara, Dew Drop, Snow Queen, and Spanish Soloist. Julie has participated in both Expressions of Joy and Astrid Audet Academy Intensives. Julie was 12 years old when she started at Astrid Audet Academy of Ballet and here is where she continues her dance training to this day. Julie has been an assistant teacher for the past several years at the Academy and is excited and ready to teach her own classes this season!

Maria Alejandra Jimenez Buiza- Ballet Master-choreographer and dancer.

Born in Caracas Venezuela, Miss Maria A Jimenez has over 28 years of ballet teaching experience. She began her studies in classical ballet at the early age of eight at NINA NOVAK’S School of Ballet. At thirteen, she auditioned and received a three-year scholarship with the BALLET NACIONAL DE CARACAS, under the artistic direction of Choreographer VICENTE NEBRADA. At sixteen, Miss Jimenez won the Silver Medal at the International Ballet Competition in Trujillo Peru. The following year she was hired as a principal dancer at NINA NOVAK’S Ballet Clasico of Camara and performed principal roles in many classical works including: Don Quixote,Coppelia,Corsaire,Swan Lake, Diana and Acteon,etc..Masters such as Kaleria Fedicheva, Edmund Novak, Ruta Butviliene, Ramona de Saa, Magaly Suarez,Rosa Alvarez,etc..This intensive training led her at the age of eighteen to perform with the principal Cuban dancer Carlos Junior Acosta dancing the principal role in Diana & Acteon Pas de Deux. Miss Maria A Jimenez has over 28 years of experience teaching classical ballet to children, adult and professional dancers in Venezuela and South Florida. Most specifically, she has taught at: Magda Augnun school of Ballet, Performing Arts Network, Keyla Ermecheo Dance Studio, Ballet Clasico de Camara, and Nina Novak’s escuela de Ballet. She also performed for the Florida Grand Opera, South Broward Ballet Company and New Century Dance Company. For the past  eight years , Miss Jimenez has been ballet Mistress and assistant to the Artistic Director at the South Florida Ballet Company.  Maria also helps  to improve people’s lifestyles and health through her wellness organization.

Cheyenne has been dancing for over 13 years, starting when she was 5 years old. She is trained in hip hop, jazz, tap, and other various types of dance. Cheyenne is currently a member of a professional dance company performing throughout South Florida while she pursues her dreams as a choreographer and teacher. She hopes to be a mentor and inspiration to all her students. We are thrilled to have added Cheyenne’s infectious personality and positive energy to our staff at the Academy.

Abigail started her first ballet class at the age of 4 at Joy Deco Enterprises in Margate FL. Shortly after, she started dancing at Expressions of Joy, learning the Russian Vaganova syllabus. She has taken part in many performances such as Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Coppelia, Cinderella, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music. Abigail has also danced at New Covenant Church, and has been to many different summer intensives including Expressions of Joy, Astrid Audet Academy of Ballet, and CCA. In 2010, Abigail danced in Magda Aunon’s Nutcracker at Fort Lauderdale Ballet Classique, and has continued to be a part of Astrid’s yearly Nutcracker. When she was 13, Abigail started dancing at Astrid Audet Academy of Ballet and More where she continues to dance today. She now has 11 years of dance experience, and is trained in Ballet/Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Modern.

Carolyn Yancey Paddock graduated Cum Laude from Point Park University, with a B.A. Degree in Dance and Musical Theater and a minor in Business Carolyn has been dancing since her pre-school days and grew up performing with the Tulsa Ballet. Her performing career has been in all styles of dance and theater. She has performed international and on the High Seas. Carolyn is also an accomplished chorographer – Music Videos, Off Broadway Musical in NYC, Musical Review Shows and many other Brow ay Musicals, along with Wedding Dances and Quinces and Sweet Sixteen events – and has produces her own Dance Productions for Cruise Lines, Corporate Events, and Private Parties throughout the world. She has been teaching for the past 27 years, both locally and abroad. Carolyn has taught in and choreographed for various schools statewide. Carolyn currently teaches advanced ballet technique classes at the Academy.

Rome has had a 30+ year career in professional theatre including international ballet companies, equity musical theatre companies, major cruise ships, local production companies, and Tokyo Disney. His wealth of knowledge and experience has led him to the creation of his own production company, Saladino Productions, Inc. During his ballet career he performed with many companies including the Sacramento Ballet, Icelandic Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, receiving reviews such as, “Saladino is a standout male dancer with a unique quality that could turn into genuine stardom.” He has had the privilege of working with many amazing people; including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Fernando Bujones, Jürgen Schneider, Alonzo King, Jon Engstrom, Ann Reinking, Sonja Haney (Bob Fosse’s Assistant), and Nannette Fabré, to name a few. He also starred in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Brigadoon, Fiddler on the Roof, Pippin, West Side Story, and A Chorus Line... He joined the American Broadway Music Theatre in Tokyo Disney, where he was one of the Lead Male’s in Encore! After his experience in Tokyo, he performed as an Adagio Dancer and Singer on cruise ships touring all over the world. While earning his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance at Florida Atlantic University, he has been the lead dancer along with his wife, Marina, for ZMC Entertainment, Inc. and Kevin Black Productions. All these experiences led to his greatest challenge, Rome self-produced, directed, and starred in Singin’ and Dancin’ in the Rain, a song and dance tribute to Gene Kelly. As an instructor, Rome has taught ballet, partnering, jazz dance, character dance, boy’s classes, and musical theatre at the University of Utah Dance Department, Esther Center, Sacramento Ballet, Boca Ballet Theatre, Florida Atlantic University, University of Miami and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s AileyCamp Miami. He recently graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a BA in Theatre and Dance.

Joli started her first ballet class at the age of 6 at New Covenant Church, participating in ministry dance classes. She then began dancing at Expressions of Joy to further her training and participate in more performances. She has taken part in performances such as Coppelia, Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Building Bridges, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, and Beauty and the Beast. Joli has participated in the dance department at Calvary Christian Academy as well. She has attended summer intensives and summer classes at Expressions of Joy and Astrid Audet Academy every summer for 7 years. Joli has danced many roles in Astrid’s yearly Nutcracker as this will be her Seventh Nutcracker. She has trained in Ballet, Point, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, and Acro. Joli started assisting classes and working with children at Astrid Audet Academy several years ago and now teaches her own classes and lights up the room with her students.