CFBA Dancer Lives her Dream in New York!

Central Florida Ballet Academy dancer, Kailey Withee, joined CFBA in 2005 at the age of 9. Since then she has been featured in lead roles with the Studio & Professional Company AND recently got the rare chance to train in New York City training with Gelsey Kirkland! Find all the details on her NEW YORK ADVENTURE below...

Kailey Withee trains at the Central Florida Ballet Academy
Photo By: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

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In Summer of 2010, Ms. Withee attended the summer program of the Washington Ballet where she received a full tuition scholarship for the 2010-11 school year & the opportunity to perform with the professional company. Later that summer, she trained at Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet and upon completion of the three week program, also received a scholarship for the 2010-11 school year.  With such incredible offers, where did Ms. Withee decide to train?

Ms. Withee ended up choosing to study in New York at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet (at the age of 15)! "I chose to study with Gelsey because she is one of ballet's greatest. She knows everything about the dance world and I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity." During her training, she benefited from daily lessons from Gelsey Kirkland and was featured as "Spanish Lead, Snow Demi Soloist, Waltz Soloist and Marzipan" in the premiere production of the GKA's The Nutcracker. 
"My experience at GKA was unforgettable. I was not only was challenged by an intense schedule of dancing from 9:00am to many times 8:00pm at night, but also learned a great deal about artistry along the way. Gelsey showed me a different side of dance which I will take with me to every company in the future." says Ms. Withee

What's next for Ms. Withee? She returned home to train at the Central Florida Ballet Academy for the beginning of summer break and later this summer will return to the Washington Ballet for their 5-week program.  After that... the future is wide open!


For more information, Visit Central Florida Ballet here or Call 407.849.9948.