dancers

Julia was born in Pembroke Pines, Florida and began dancing at the age of two. She started dancing at MJM Dance Company and attended New World School of the Arts high school in Miami, Florida. Here she worked with Gerard Ebitz, Lara Murphy, Tina Santos, and Peter London. Guest artists included Sidra Bell, Francesca Harper, and Uri Sands. Additionally, Julia had the opportunity to attend the Alonzo King Lines and Joffrey Ballet summer intensives to work with well-known choreographers including Alonzo King and Dwight Roden.
Julia graduated from The University of South Florida studying dance with a concentration in ballet and a minor in nutrition. She has worked and performed in pieces created by Andrew Carroll, Paula Nuñez, Andee Scott, Gierre Godley, Alex Ketley, Robert Moses, Charles Anderson, and Ulysses Dove. Julia has danced with Dance Now! Miami since 2019. In 2023, she performed alongside the Limón Dance Company and toured with DNM in Italy.

Alexander was born and raised in Miami, Florida. His dance journey began, at 17, when he attended the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive in Miami, Florida. There, he trained under instructors who specialized in various styles such as ballet, modern, jazz and tap. He then continued his training at The Academy of Arts and Minds Charter under the tutelage of Hannah Baumgarten and Karin Bejerano. After high school, Alex attended the New World School of the Arts College. While at NWSA, he performed in a variety of works ranging from residential choreographers, such as Peter London, to guest choreographers, like Eduardo Vilaro. In addition to performing, Alex has also been exploring his choreographic style and has had works produced for student showcases at NWSA. After graduating from NWSA, he focused on finding his original artistic style and began to explore more training in hip hop, contemporary and jazz funk. Currently, Alex is teaching and continuing to explore movements that feel natural to his way of being while also making a return to the world of concert dance. Alex joined Dance NOW! Miami in March of 2024.

Amanda, originally from Boynton Beach, Florida, is a passionate dancer and artist. Her journey began at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts during high school, where she nurtured her talent. She was recognized as a Youngarts Winner in Jazz Dance in 2015 and 2016. Amanda attended New World School of the Arts where she had numerous performance opportunities, most notably being part of a select group chosen to perform in the Merce Cunningham Centennial at the prestigious 92Y in New York City. After graduating with a BFA in dance from NWSA in 2019, Amanda joined the Ballet Arts Dance Company in West Palm Beach, FL. She furthered her expertise by obtaining her Cuban Methodology Ballet Certification and Classical Pilates certification.
Throughout her pre-professional and professional career, Amanda has had the privilege of preforming works by renowned choreographers such as Aszure Barton, Darrell Moultrie, Didy Veldman, Jae Man Joo, Jose Limon, Paul Taylor, Robert Battle, Matthew Neenan, Merce Cunningham, and Eduardo Vilaro. Additionally, she attended The School of Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Ballet and Contemporary program in 2019. In 2023, she performed alongside the Limon Dance Company and toured with Dance Now! Miami to Italy, performing with Opus Ballet. Amanda has danced with Dance Now! Miami since 2021.

Austin Duclos was born and raised in Winfield, Pennsylvania and started dancing at the age fourteen. He received his early training at Enterline’s Dance Center under the instruction of Alicia Enterline-Little. He continued his ballet training at Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Austin attended Mercyhurst University on scholarship where he earned his B.F.A. in Dance, a minor in English Literature and graduated with honors, Summa Cum Laude. There he trained under Tauna Hunter of Ballet West, Jennifer McNamara and Matthew Christensen of Nashville Ballet, and Lesley Bories-Scalise of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Austin continued to expand his dance technique to include contemporary and commercial jazz under the instruction of Danielle Kaiser, and modern dance, under the instruction of Mark and Solveig Santillano. Austin had the privilege of training with John White of Nacional Ballet de Cuba, and his daughter Melinda Pendleton, Bryan Koulman of Milwaukee Ballet, Linda Karash Mintzer of New York City Ballet, and Steve Rooks of Martha Graham Dance Company. He has been highlighted with SoMar Dance Works and has made guest appearances in principal roles as the Cavalier in The Nutcracker and as the Prince in Cinderella. Austin has been showcased with The Mercyhurst Dancers in their classical repertoire and has been featured in over twenty original choreographic works. Austin joined Dance Now! Miami in 2021 and has since performed with DNM in a blended cast with the Limón Dance Company and toured in Italy, dancing alongside Opus Ballet.

Sophia was born and raised in Pembroke Pines, Florida. She received her fundamental training in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap and musical theater. Over the summers she ventured to prestigious pre-professional programs including Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, MODAS Dance, Pre-Professional Dancer’s Institute, Opus Ballet, and Perry-Mansfield PDI with Limón Dance Company. Through those she trained with Dante Puleio, Lalya Amis, Robert Moses, and Francisco Gella. Sophia graduated from Florida State University with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Social Entrepreneurship. She is now pursuing her Masters degree in Creative Arts Entrepreneurship. She trained under Anjali Austin, Caleb Mitchell, Kara Wiles, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Tim Glenn, Ilana Goldman, and Tiffany Rhynard. While at FSU she performed in over seven performances and debuted her first choreographic work titled “i CAN’t do this”. Sophia also took part in both Dance in Paris and Arts in NYC programs. Sophia joined Dance NOW! Miami in 2024.

Kirsten Velasco was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She was introduced to dance at the young age of 4. She trained under the direction of Marie-Louise Gashler at her home studio, Miami Dance Collective where she quickly fell in love with tap, jazz, and ballet. She went on to attend performing arts schools such as Miami Arts Charter Middle School and New World School of the Arts High School.
Kirsten was exposed to the world of concert dance during high school where she learned and performed works by Robert Battle and Jessica Lang. She has been able to work closely with Jenn Freeman, Matt Luck, and Peter Chu. She has performed work by Gerard Ebitz, Rena Butler, Sidra Bell, Antonie Vereeken, Amy Miller, Andrea Miller, Kevin Wynn, and Lea Ved. She was fortunate enough to study abroad and train at the London Contemporary Dance School during her junior year at Purchase. Kirsten has attended Hubbard Street Summer Intensive, Chu This Persepectives, Body Traffic summer program, The School at Jacob’s Pillow, Arts Umbrella, and B12.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Purchase College Conservatory of Dance, under the direction of Darrah Carr and joins Dance NOW! Miami for the 2024 season.