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, Peter Anastos, Chloé Watson, Yanis Eric Pikieris, and Matthew Lovegood.

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, Camilo A. Rodriguez, and Yanis Eric Pikieris. 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, Peter Anastos, Chloé Watson, Yanis Eric Pikieris, and Ariel Grossman.

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, George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Yves De Bouteiller, Peter Anastos, Chloé Watson, Yanis Eric Pikieris, and Matthew Lovegood.

Bella is from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.  She trained at Dance Center Evanston, Interlochen Arts Academy under the direction of Joseph Morrissey, and at Boston Conservatory at Berklee in their BFA Contemporary Dance Program. Her performance experience includes Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Le Corsaire, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella, as well as works by Kinsun Chan, Catherine Coury, Daniel Pelzig, and Yoshito Sakuraba. Ms. Brady is currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration at Indian River State College as part of Ballet Vero Beach’s Fellowship Initiative for Dancers.

Nadia was born and raised in Vero Beach, Florida. She studied at various schools and attended summer programs at Orlando Ballet School. Ms. Flores is currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Health Science from Indian River State College as part of Ballet Vero Beach’s Fellowship Initiative for Dancers.

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. With Ballet Vero Beach, Amy has performed in roles by Adam Schnell, Camilo A. Rodriguez, George Balanchine, Peter Anastos, Chloé Watson, Abriella Mauldin, Ariel Grossman, and Matthew Lovegood. Amy is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Indian River State College as part of Ballet Vero Beach’s Fellowship Initiative for Dancers.

Makenzie was born in Okinawa, Japan. She trained at Margo Dean School of Ballet, Texas School of the Arts, N•S Ballet Academy in Okinawa, Japan, and with Pensacola Youth Ballet. She later trained with Pointe Park University and the University of North Florida. Before joining Ballet Vero Beach, she danced with The Florida Ballet as a trainee and with Calima Dance Theater under the direction of Theresa Jimmerson. Her performance experience includes roles in Roberto Forleo’s Dracula, The Nutcracker, Giselle, La Bayadère, and Coppélia, as well as works by Olivier Munoz and Jill Bahr.

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, Peter Anastos, Chloé Watson, Abriella Mauldin, Ariel Grossman, and Matthew Lovegood. Jade is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Indian River State College.

Madyn grew up in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. She trained with New Bedford Ballet and at the SPECIFIC International Dance Program under the direction of Loris Petrillo in Tuscania, Italy. Before joining Ballet Vero Beach, she was a trainee with St. Louis Dance Theatre and a Contemporary Ballet Trainee at Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. During her time with Joffrey, she performed in works by Martha Nichols, Katlin Bourgeois, Johana Gracia-Morales, and Anne O’Donnell Passero. Ms. Waskiewicz is currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Finance and Marketing at Indian River State College as part of Ballet Vero Beach’s Fellowship Initiative for Dancers.