Founded in 2010 by Artistic Directors Gelsey Kirkland & Michael Chernov, the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet’s mission is to foster a rebirth of dramatic storytelling in ballet through our academy programs that provide specialized training for gifted students from around the world, and through the development of the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet, a classically oriented Professional Studio Company capable of creating and performing new and dramatic works.
Located in DUMBO, Brooklyn, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet (GKA) endeavors to provide the most innovative and comprehensive ballet training programs in the world, recognizing the need for new methods of instruction to cultivate and inspire the next generation of ballet dancers. Through an elite training program aimed at the full cultural development of the young artist, GKA has built a uniquely focused curriculum led by some of the ballet world’s most acclaimed master teachers.
GKA’s curriculum is rooted in European tradition with influences from both the Vaganova and Bournonville styles of ballet training.
The GKA training system is built around three major areas of study: ballet, core dynamics, and dramatic development. It integrates technique, style, mime, acting, character dancing, and historical dance, with a commitment to develop classical dancers with the ability to advance the art form of classical ballet, and who are capable of expressing powerful theatrical ideas in ballet through a rich understanding of multiple artistic disciplines, cultures, and traditions.
Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet consists of the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet, a professional Studio Company and four academy programs: a Full Day Professional Training Conservatory Program, a Pre-Professional After-School Program, a Children’s Recreational Program and a Summer Intensive. GKA’s programs provide year round full-time ballet training and serve over 500 students annually.
