VIVA

Ballet Academy

THE VIVA BALLET PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO BALLET AS A TIME-HONORED ART FORM – ONE THAT DEMANDS PRECISION, DISCIPLINE, MUSICALITY, AND REFINED ATTENTION TO DETAIL. OUR GOAL IS NOT TO POSITION BALLET MERELY AS A REQUIREMENT FOR EVERY STYLE OF DANCE, BUT TO HONOR IT AS A RIGOROUS AND EXPRESSIVE PRACTICE WORTHY OF EXCELLENCE IN ITS OWN RIGHT.

BALLET AT VIVA IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DANCERS WHO VALUE A STRONG WORK ETHIC, MARRIED WITH AN APPRECIATION FOR ARTISTRY, TO ENGAGE DEEPLY WITH A CLASSICAL FORM, WHETHER BALLET IS THEIR PRIMARY FOCUS OR ONE OF MANY TOOLS IN THEIR ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT.

Viva Ballet

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EXPERIENCE THE ART &
OF BALLET

THE BALLET ACADEMY EMPHASIZES ALIGNMENT, STRENGTH AND CONTROL, TECHNICAL CLARITY, AND INTENTIONAL MOVEMENT. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE PROGRAM CULTIVATES A SPECIFIC FORM OF ARTISTRY ROOTED IN STRUCTURE AND NUANCE. DANCERS ARE CHALLENGED TO MOVE WITH PURPOSE, FOCUS, AND RESPECT FOR THE FORM.

PLACEMENT AND PROGRESSION ARE BASED ON READINESS, SKILL, AND CONSISTENCY – NOT AGE ALONE. VIVA IS AN INTEGRITY-FIRST STUDIO, MEANING DANCERS ARE PLACED WHERE THEY CAN TRAIN SAFELY, PRODUCTIVELY, AND WITH AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CHALLENGE, UNDERSTANDING THAT PROGRESS IN BALLET OFTEN REQUIRES PATIENCE AND SUSTAINED COMMITMENT. VIVA’S COMMITMENT IS TO HIGH-QUALITY BALLET TRAINING THAT DEVELOPS THOUGHTFUL, DISCIPLINED DANCERS AND HONORS THE INTEGRITY OF THE ART FORM, OF STANDARDS-BASED ASSESSMENTS, AND OF NURTURING HEALTHY BODIES AND MINDS.

IN LEADERSHIP

Artistry

BEHIND EVERY STRONG DANCER IS A TEACHER WHO UNDERSTANDS BOTH THE RIGOR AND BEAUTY OF THE FORM. OUR BALLET STAFF BLENDS CLASSICAL FOUNDATION WITH PROFESSIONAL INSIGHT, CULTIVATING CLARITY, REFINEMENT, AND PURPOSE IN EVERY CLASS.

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Itzel Hernandez

Ballet Director

Itzel Hernandez began her ballet training at the Escuela Provincial de Ballet Alejo Carpentier in Havana, Cuba, where she developed a strong classical foundation. At age 12, she earned a full scholarship to the Orlando Ballet School and later continued her training at The HARID Conservatory, refining her technique and artistry within an intensive pre-professional environment. Upon graduating, she joined Orlando Ballet, beginning her professional career at a young age.

In 2014, Hernandez joined Milwaukee Ballet II and was promoted to the Company in 2015. Since then, she has performed a wide range of featured and leading roles, including the title role in Kathryn Posin’s Scheherazade, a featured role in Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena, the Queen of the Night in Mauro de Candia’s Purple Fools, the leading role in Nelly van Bommel’s Gelem, Gelem, and Fleur de Lis in Michael Pink’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Her repertoire reflects both classical strength and contemporary versatility, highlighting her dynamic stage presence and technical command.

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Luis Ocaranza

Ballet Instructor

Born in Mexico City, Luis Ocaranza began his ballet training through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), studying the Cecchetti method known for its strong technical foundation. At 18, he was personally selected by Edward Villella to train with Miami City Ballet School, where he completed his studies while performing and touring.

He has performed an extensive repertoire of classical and contemporary works with companies including The Sarasota Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, and Compañía Nacional de Danza, appearing internationally at prestigious festivals and venues. A Youth America Grand Prix “Top Twelve” finalist, Ocaranza has also received scholarships from Boston Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre.

In addition to his performance career, he is an accomplished choreographer and educator, teaching across the United States, Mexico, and Europe.

RAISING THE BARRE

Train

AN IMMERSIVE TWO-WEEK INTENSIVE LED BY OUR HIGHLY TRAINED FACULTY. STUDENTS WILL EXPLORE LEVELED BALLET TECHNIQUE, DANCE HISTORY, TERMINOLOGY, REPERTOIRE, AND MORE.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PASSIONATE PEERS AND LIKE-MINDED CLASSMATES AS YOU DEEPEN YOUR LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR BALLET. AUDITIONS NOW OPEN!

MORE INFO!

Perform

SHINE ON STAGE IN TWO YEARLY PRODUCTIONS! VIVA'S NUTCRACKER BALLET PREMIERS DECEMBER 2026, OPEN TO CURRENT AND OUTSIDE DANCERS, FOR A MAGICAL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE FILLED WITH MOVEMENT, MUSIC, AND STORYTELLING.

NEXT, STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT WITH OUR INAUGURAL 2027 SUMMER PRODUCTION…COMING SOON!

Compete

READY TO ELEVATE YOUR SKILLS? DANCERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE AT PRESTIGIOUS EVENTS LIKE YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX AND INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION.

AUDITION IS REQUIRED, OFFERING DANCERS A CHANCE TO CHALLENGE THEMSELVES, GROW THEIR ARTISTRY, AND GAIN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE ON A NATIONAL STAGE.