The Company

Camilo A. Rodriguez (Ballet Master) was born in Mexico City and grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He began his ballet training at Ballets de San Juan and Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico. He continued his training on full scholarship in New York City at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School.

As a professional dancer, he has appeared with the Eglevsky Ballet, and Virginia Ballet Theatre, and danced several seasons in Mark Morris’s version of The Nutcracker: The Hard Nut. Mr. Rodriguez also toured internationally with Ballets Grandiva and the world-famous Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. In these all-male comedy ballet troupes, Mr. Rodriguez excelled in a parody of not only contemporary masterworks but also the great Imperial and Romantic Ballets of the last two centuries. His many triumphs include a command performance at “The Royal Variety Show” in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Charles.

Mr. Rodriguez excels in the teaching of Ballet and Modern techniques and is also a well-respected certified Pilates Instructor. Mr. Rodriguez also serves as ballet master for Ballet Vero Beach. His performances with the company have earned widespread critical acclaim, and his choreographic achievements have helped shape Ballet Vero Beach’s artistic identity while pushing the art of dance forward.

Franco was born in the province of Villa Clara, Cuba. He studied at the Olga Alonso González Dance School and Vicentina de la Torre Academy of Arts in Camaguey. He joined Ballet de Camaguey in 2017, Teatrul de Balet Sibiu in Romania in 2019, and the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in the Czech Republic in 2022. Franco joined Ballet Vero Beach in 2023. With Ballet Vero Beach, he has performed as the Nutcracker/Cavalier in Nutcracker on the Indian River and Price Desiré in The Sleeping Princess, as well as lead roles in works by Adam Schnell, Camilo A. Rodriguez, George Balanchine, Yves De Bouteiller, and Peter Anastos.

Katherine was born in Des Moines, Iowa, where she trained and performed with Iowa Dance Theatre. She graduated from the University of Utah, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet, and was a scholarship member of Utah Ballet, the school’s resident company. She previously danced with American Midwest Ballet. In 2014, Katherine joined Ballet Vero Beach. She has performed leading roles in works by George Balanchine, August Bournonville, Peter Anastos, Samuel Kurkjian, Adam Schnell, Ariel Grossman, Matthew Lovegood, Chloé Watson, and Camilo A. Rodriguez. She originated the role of The Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker on the Indian River and Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Princess. She has performed as a guest artist across the United States and internationally in Seoul, South Korea, and Dubai, UAE. Ms. Eppink is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Mass Communications with a concentration in Digital Strategy from the University of Florida. Additionally, she serves as Dancer Representative on Ballet Vero Beach’s Board of Directors. In 2024, she became the Director of Marketing for the company.

Ellie was born in High Wycombe, Great Britain. She trained with Julie Overton, Annie Coatalen and at the Elmhurst Ballet School, which offers a creative connection with Birmingham Royal Ballet. She joined Teatrul De Balet Sibiu in Sibiu, Romania in 2019 and National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in the Czech Republic in 2022. Ellie joined Ballet Vero Beach in 2023. With Ballet Vero Beach, Ms. Hennequin has performed as The Snow Queen and Sandhill Crane in Nutcracker on the Indian River and as Princess Florine in The Sleeping Princess, as well as lead roles in works by Adam Schnell, Camilo A. Rodriguez, George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Yves De Bouteiller, and Peter Anastos.

Darien grew up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He trained at Turning Pointe Dance Studio under the direction of Laura Faria Sciortino. He has been a BalletMet Academy’s Trainee Program member and a second company member with Orlando Ballet 2. Darien joined Ballet Vero Beach in 2023. With Ballet Vero Beach, he has performed as The Snow King and Sandhill Crane in Nutcracker on the Indian River, Bluebird in The Sleeping Princess, and the Bully in Firebird, as well as lead roles in works by Adam Schnell, Camilo A. Rodriguez, Christopher Wheeldon, Yves De Bouteiller, and Peter Anastos.

Aneliese was born in Ocala, Florida, and trained at Marion Ballet Theatre and Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, Florida. Ms. Benson was previously a Trainee with Charlotte Ballet in Charlotte, NC.  While in Charlotte, she had opportunities to perform in Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s The Nutcracker, Christopher Stuart’s Peter Pan, and George Balanchine’s Divertimento No.15 from Theme and Variations, staged by Patricia McBride. Aneliese is in her first season as a fellow with Ballet Vero Beach and is pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Business Administration at Indian River State College.

Amy was born in Hull, England, and grew up in Coffs Harbour, Australia. She trained at Julie Ross Dance Studio, Atelier Australia, and the Orlando Ballet School. In 2023, Ms. Gillespie joined the Tulsa Ballet as a trainee and performed roles in The Nutcracker, Strictly Gershwin, and La Bayadere, and worked with choreographers Ma Cong and Maria Konrad. Amy is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Indian River State College.

Lindsey was born in Omaha, Nebraska. She trained at Motion 41 Dance, Omaha Academy of Ballet, and Dedication Dance Co. She has performed as a member of American Midwest Ballet Junior Company and as part of the Omaha Dance Project. With Ballet Vero Beach, Lindsey has performed in works by Adam Schnell, Camilo A. Rodriguez, Ariel Grossman, Samuel Kurkjian, Chloé Watson, Yves De Bouteiller, and Matthew Lovegood.

 She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services at Indian River State College as a part of Ballet Vero Beach’s Fellowship Initiative for Dancers.

Abriella is from Satellite Beach, Florida where she trained at Dance Arts Centre. She has performed with Space Coast Ballet Company, Open World Dance Foundation, Joseph Gatti (United Ballet Theatre) and in the Riverside Dance Festival. With Ballet Vero Beach, Abriella has performed in works by Adam Schnell, Camilo A. Rodriguez, Ariel Grossman, Samuel Kurkjian, Chloé Watson, and Matthew Lovegood.

 She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Indian River State College as a part of Ballet Vero Beach’s Fellowship Initiative for Dancers.

Marlyse was born in Havelock, North Carolina. She trained with Yuma Ballet, Dance Gallery of South Dakota, and Artistry Dance Studio. In 2023, she graduated from the Alberta Ballet School in Alberta, Canada. With Ballet Vero Beach, Ms. Noble has performed in works by Adam Schnell, Camilo A. Rodriguez, and Peter Anastos. She is currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Business Administration at Indian River State College as a part of Ballet Vero Beach’s Fellowship Initiative for Dancers.

Jade is from Jakarta, Indonesia. She trained at Marlupi Dance Academy, The Ballet Academy of Indonesia, and Orlando Ballet School. She previously danced with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida. With Ballet Vero Beach, Jade has performed in works by Adam Schnell, Camilo A. Rodriguez, and Peter Anastos.