Ballet Masters

Servy Gallardo - Ballet Master

Servy Gallardo began his career with the National Ballet of Caracas and later, as a principal, joined the National Ballet of Venezuela. In 1991, Mr. Gallardo made his United States debut as a principal dancer with the San Jose/Cleveland Ballet, dancing many of the company's leading roles in ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, and Swan Lake, among many others. In 1999, Mr. Gallardo joined North Carolina Dance Theatre as a principal dancer. He danced leading roles under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. While at NCDT, Mr. Gallardo also served as an instructor for the official school of NCDT and as company teacher.

Mariaelena Ruiz - Ballet Mistress

Mariaelena Ruiz has been a faculty member and rehearsal coach at The Rock School for Dance Education since 2000. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Mariaelena began her early studies at the “Academia Ballet Clasico Nina Novak.” At 14, she became the youngest member of the Ballet Nacional de Caracas, under the direction of Vicente Nebrada, with whom she toured South America and Europe, dancing soloist and principal roles. At 15, she won 3rd place at The USA International Ballet Competition, junior division, in Jackson, and received a full scholarship to continue her studies at the School of American Ballet. She also won 3rd place and “Best Couple Award” at the Varna International Ballet Competition, and the Prix Volinine in Paris, France. She has danced principal roles with Bay Ballet Theater, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Carolina Ballet Theater, Ballet Hispanico, and has been a guest artist for many companies in the US and abroad. Mariaelena has been a member of the Suzanne Farrell Ballet since 2001, where she performs Balanchine repertoire and has also assisted with staging and rehearsals. She has been a judge and guest teacher for Youth America Grand Prix and is also very involved with the New York International Ballet Competition.