Gulf Coast Ballet Theater’s artistic staff provides exceptional leadership and vision, guiding the company with expertise, passion, and creativity. Each member brings a wealth of professional experience and artistic achievement, united by a shared dedication to excellence in classical ballet. Together, they shape the company’s artistic direction, nurture its dancers, and ensure that every performance reflects the organization’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and the preservation of ballet as a vibrant and accessible art form.

Anne Carollo is the Artistic Director and Founder of Gulf Coast Ballet Theater, where she leads with a deep commitment to preserving and advancing classical ballet in the community. She is also the proprietor of Gulf Coast Dancenter, established in 2011 to provide exceptional ballet and technique training for dancers of all ages. Through these organizations, Anne has built a bridge between high-quality dance education and professional-level performance opportunities, nurturing a culture of artistry, excellence, and accessibility.

Anne’s professional training began under Nina Cameron at Cameron’s Dancenter and continued through prestigious programs with The Rock School for Dance Education, Atlanta Ballet, and Columbia City Ballet. She went on to dance with Orlando Ballet, performing under the direction of Peter Stark and Fernando Bujones.

A dedicated educator for over 20 years, Anne holds certifications from Florida Dance Masters, Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), is a Certified 4-Pointe Teacher, and an ABT® Certified Teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Her students have gone on to train and perform with renowned organizations including Washington Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and School of American Ballet (SAB), among others.

Anne’s leadership continues to guide Gulf Coast Ballet Theater toward a future rooted in excellence, innovation, and community engagement.

Nicole began her dance training at the age of three, studying at the Academy of Ballet Florida under the direction of Donna Morgan and Marie Hale, and at Palm Beach Ballet Center under Joan Miller. She continued her education at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she trained under renowned instructors including Melissa Hayden, Fanchon Cordell, and Christine Spizzo.

Nicole’s professional career includes performing with Orlando Ballet and Ballet Florida, as well as guest appearances with Palm Beach Ballet Center. Her repertoire features leading roles such as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Snow White in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and featured performances in The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Les Sylphides.

With over a decade of teaching and coaching experience, Nicole brings a deep understanding of both technique and artistry to her work with Gulf Coast Ballet Theater. She holds a B.S. in Health Science from the University of Florida, where she also choreographed and performed with Floridance, and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Florida School of Professional Psychology.

As Associate Artistic Director, Nicole combines her extensive dance background and psychological insight to guide and inspire the next generation of dancers, fostering both artistic excellence and personal growth within the company.

With over three decades of experience in the dance industry, Myles Thoroughgood brings a wealth of creativity and professional expertise to Gulf Coast Ballet Theater. His career spans performance, choreography, and direction across stage, film, and television.

Myles began his career as Dance Captain for Wave Jazz Dance Company, performing at London’s Royal Festival Hall and the Shubert Theater. He later became the choreographer for The Disney Channel’s New Mickey Mouse Club, shaping the early performance experiences of artists such as Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling, and Britney Spears. His television credits include projects for NBC, Nickelodeon, TLC/Discovery Network, and Sesame Workshop.

In addition to his extensive work in television and live entertainment—from Orlando Family Stage to Dolly Parton’s Stampede and Nickelodeon Resorts—Myles is a dedicated dance educator, having taught at the Dr. Phillips Center AdventHealth School of the Arts and founded the Interactive Academy of Performing Arts.

At Gulf Coast Ballet Theater, Myles continues to inspire dancers through his inventive choreography, theatrical storytelling, and commitment to artistic excellence.