All American Classical Ballet School

email us at: aacbsstaff@allamericanclassicalballet.com
billing inquiries: Kelly@allamericandancefactory.com 

Instructors

Terri Howell

 Director

Julio Montano  

Artistic Director

Gissell Durand

Assistant Director

Ballet Instructor and Choreographer.  Julio is a native of Pinar del Rio-Cuba. His career started at the age of 17 at Ballet de Camaguey under the direction of Fernando Alonso.  In 1993, Julio was choosen by the Director of the company to perform in Lima, Perú at the official company of the country, Ballet Nacional del Peru, under the direction of Olga Shimazaki as principal dancer.  In 1995 he won the Circe Price top award for artists in Peru.  In 2002, after 9 years of performing in South America, Julio moved to the United States to perform with Tulsa Ballet under the direction of Marcello Angelini for two seasons.  As a dancer, he participated in festivals and tours throughout the world performing in Chile, Paraguay, Portugal, Panama, Bolivia, Mexico, USA, etc.  He has danced and performed a number of important leading roles in such classical productions as Cinderella, Paquita, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Raymonda, Swan Lake, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire, Sherezade, The Nutcracker, Majissimo and other ones. His neoclassical and contemporary repertoire include Duende, The Leaves are Fading, Lady of the Camelias, Nine Lives, Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, among others.  During 2005-2006 season, Julio was working at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Patel Conservatory as Interim Co-Director of the Classical Ballet Training Program together with Mrs. Sandra Robinson.  He participated as judge for the National Society of Arts and Letters 2006 Dance Competition.  As a ballet master, Julio has given ballet instruction at the University of South Florida, TBPAC, and has been invited to join the faculty for summer programs in different ballet schools in USA and South America and has trained students for numerous ballet competitions.

Ballet Instructor and Choreographer. Gissell is a native of Lima-Peru, her professional career started at the age of 16 at the official ballet company of her country Ballet Nacional del Peru under the direction of Olga Shimazaki as soloist 1 and after 3 years she was promoted to principal soloist.  As a dancer, she participated in festivals and tours performing in Bolivia, Chile, USA, etc. She has performed a number of important leading roles in classical productions as Paquita, Raymonda, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Sherezade, The Nutcracker, Giselle, among others.  Gissell studied Flamenco and Peruvian Folklore as a complement to her artistic development and she has also participated in publicity events as choreographer and dancer.  She has given ballet instruction at the University of South Florida and at local ballet schools.  She has trained and continues training students for the American Ballet Competition, the American Dance Competition and the Youth America Grand Prix on a regional and national level.

Photo: © 2010 Scarlett Murray