Who We Are

Founded in 2010 by Gelsey Kirkland and Michael Chernov, The Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet’s mission is to encourage a renaissance of dramatic storytelling in ballet by providing specialized training for gifted students, and by establishing a classically-oriented professional studio company capable of creating and performing new dramatic works. Located in downtown NYC, The Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet (GKA) offers a highly rigorous training program aimed at the full cultural development of the young artist.

Led by its founding Artistic Directors Gelsey Kirkland and Michael Chernov, GKA endeavors to provide the most innovative and comprehensive training program, recognizing the need for new methods of instruction to cultivate the next generation of ballet dancers. GKA has built a uniquely focused curriculum led by master teachers providing instruction in three major areas: ballet, core dynamics and dramatic development. GKA is committed to developing classical dancers who are capable of expressing powerful theatrical ideas in ballet through a rich understanding of other artistic disciplines, cultures and traditions, and to advancing the artform of classical ballet.

The structure of GKA consists of a professional Studio Company, Gelsey Kirkland Ballet, and four academy programs providing year round full-time ballet training: Full Day Professional Academy Program, Pre-Professional After School Program, Children’s Program and Summer Intensive. GKA’s academy training programs serve 500 students annually, and through performance programming, reach over 2,000 audience members per year. In March 2013, the professional Studio Company will make its debut for what will become an annually presented season.