Our Team
Barbara Delgado Acosta
President & Founder
Barbara Delgado Acosta is the visionary founder of Miami Dance Project, a nonprofit organization that offers dance classes and events for children and youth with disabilities.
She leverages her vast experience and deep passion for dance to foster a safe, nurturing, and inclusive space for young individuals who might otherwise lack access to such programs.
Barbara’s dance journey began in her youth, encompassing a variety of styles like ballet, modern, and jazz. After her professional training and experience with several dance companies and studios, she identified a significant gap in inclusive dance opportunities for children with disabilities.
Motivated by this gap and her advocacy for dance, Barbara established the Miami Dance Project to give these young individuals a platform to express themselves, discover their voice through movement, and build confidence and joy in their abilities.
Since its inception, Barbara and her team have dedicated themselves to cultivating a welcoming and supportive environment that celebrates diversity and empowers youths with disabilities.
Under her leadership, the organization has thrived, achieving many successes, including offering dance education to hundreds of children and youth with disabilities.
Additionally, they have collaborated with schools and community organizations to increase awareness and highlight the importance of inclusive dance programs for personal development and expression.
Barbara has earned widespread acclaim for her pioneering efforts, commitment to community betterment, and extensive contributions to societal change, receiving numerous accolades in local and national media.
Her relentless desire to serve children and youth with disabilities drives the success of the Miami Dance Project. She helps to forge a world marked by equality and diversity and lays a solid foundation for self-expression and community involvement for hundreds of children worldwide.
Roberto Dias
Instructor
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Roberto Dias has built an impressive career in his home country and the United States. His training in the U.S. has been notable
Education:
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Roberto Dias has built an impressive career in his home country and the United States. His training in the U.S. has been notable, with studies at renowned institutions such as Luigi’s Jazz Centre, Alvin Ailey School, and Steps on Broadway in NYC.
He also studied at Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Coral Gables for ballroom dancing and at the New World School of the Arts University in Miami, where he focused on Limon, Horton, and Graham styles, and the Broadway Dance Center in NYC.
In addition to his commercial achievements, Mr. Dias has maintained a distinguished career as a dance educator, collaborating with institutions like Miami Dade Community College, South Miami High School, The International Institute of Dance, Florida International University, University of Miami, and Coral Reef Senior High School.
His teaching extends to the Miami Hispanic Ballet, Miami International Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and the Miami Arts Chamber of Commerce, as well as ABC Dance Studio, In Motion Performing Arts Center, Dancetown, Dancetination, and the Miami Dance Project.
Experience
Mr. Dias is a renowned choreographer and teacher in Brazil. He is known for his work in television, film, theater, opera, and international productions, including Verdi’s “Aida” and “Porgy and Bess.”
His extensive training covers Modern (Horton-Graham, Limon, Laban, and Lar Lubovitch techniques), Contemporary, Ballet, and Jazz. He has collaborated with top ballet schools in Brazil, such as Escola de Danca Dalal Achcar and Escola de Danca Maria Olenewa, and worked with prominent dance professionals like Marly Tavares and Lennie Dale.
His achievements include a standout performance in Maurice Bejart’s “Bolero de Ravel,” and he has been honored with several awards, including choreography awards from the Dance Festival of Rio de Janeiro, the ACCA awards for 1996/1997, and the Acontece Magazine Cultural Merit Award.
Additionally, he has received accolades from the Premio Celebridade News Magazine and was recognized with the International Brazilian Press Award. He was also featured in the Guinness Book for the “Rio 2” movie event in Miami.
He received the In Motion Performing Arts Center Roberto Dias Outstanding Achievement Award in Dance Instruction.
In 1999, Mr. Dias founded the award-winning Brazarte Dance Company in Miami, Florida. Brazarte, a modern dance company, celebrates the thrill and spirit of Brazilian culture, showcasing world-class performances by dedicated and skilled dancers. Under Mr. Dias’s leadership, the company has thrived, bringing the energy and flair of Brazilian dance to global audiences.
Katiuska
Katiuska
Born in Colombia, Katiuska discovered her passion for dance at age four. She trained intensively until she was eleven when she migrated to the United States.
Born in Colombia, Katiuska discovered her passion for dance at age four. She trained intensively until she was eleven when she migrated to the United States. Continuing to pursue her love for dance, Katiuska also dedicated herself to her academic studies, eventually graduating and launching a career in customer service.
In this field, she has managed significant customer service accounts and achieved an impressive fulfillment rate among her staff. Joining the Miami Dance Project has given Katiuska an extraordinary opportunity to apply her skills meaningfully, especially with the knowledge that her efforts benefit the community.
Yaima Mendez
Ballet Instructor
Yaima Mendez Rivero is an accomplished professional ballerina, originally from the Ballet National of Cuba.
Yaima Mendez Rivero is an accomplished professional ballerina, originally from the Ballet National of Cuba.
She moved to Miami seeking personal freedom and advanced career opportunities. In Miami, she has performed with the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami and the Dimensions Dance Theater of Miami. Ms. Mendez is a world-class ballerina and an esteemed ballet teacher and choreographer.
Kevin Hernandez
Ballet Instructor
Kevin Hernandez began ballet training in 2007 at the Gustavo Franklin Foundation Ballet-Arte.He joined the Teresa Carreño Ballet in Caracas, Venezuela…
Kevin Hernandez began ballet training in 2007 at the Gustavo Franklin Foundation Ballet-Arte.
He joined the Teresa Carreño Ballet in Caracas, Venezuela, three years later. In 2012, he achieved significant recognition by winning the gold medal at the International Ballet Competition in Caracas.
The following year, in 2013, he was promoted to the role of first soloist within the company, where he excelled for four years, performing principal roles in renowned ballets such as Don Quixote, Coppelia, Nutcracker, Flames of Paris, Flowers Festival, among others.
In 2015, Kevin reached the finals at the World Ballet Competition in the United States and won a gold medal at the Universal Ballet Competition.
After his accomplishments, he relocated to Miami, Florida, where he joined local dance companies, including Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami (DDTM). During his time in Miami, he participated in two of the most prestigious festivals in the United States: the Joyce Dance Festival in New York and the Jacob’s Pillow Festival in Massachusetts.
Experience
In his current role as the Artistic Director and choreographer of a company known for its modern Brazilian theatrical settings, he has made significant contributions to the South Florida dance scene.
Kevin has developed a unique dance style that integrates ballet, modern, jazz, capoeira, contemporary, and samba, creating a dynamic and exhilarating performance experience.
His efforts have been recognized by the International Brazilian Press Award, which named Brazarte the best Brazilian dance company in multiple years (2001, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014).
Mr. Dias is deeply committed to promoting Brazilian culture through folkloric dance, visual imagery, and music. He shares his expertise, talent, and passion while teaching across South Florida.
Braulio Velazquez Delgado
Hip Hop/Contemporary Instructor
Braulio, who hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico, started his dance journey at age 9 with Hip-Hop. By age 12, he had expanded his repertoire….
Braulio, who hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico, started his dance journey at age 9 with Hip-Hop. By age 12, he had expanded his repertoire to include Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, B-boy/breakdancing, and musical theater.
His profound passion for dance has continually driven him, and he has steadfastly pursued it. At 16, Braulio began his first role as a dance instructor, enhancing his skills under the guidance of renowned mentors worldwide.
He has contributed his talents to the contemporary dance company Dramadanza and collaborated with esteemed artists, including Bad Bunny.
Melissa Mato
Instructor
Melissa was born and raised in Miami, Florida, amidst the vibrant rhythms. Proud of her first-generation Cuban and Nicaraguan heritage, her….
Melissa was born and raised in Miami, Florida, amidst the vibrant rhythms. Proud of her first-generation Cuban and Nicaraguan heritage, her journey into the world of dance began at age 10 and sparked during her middle school years.
She advanced through the South Dade Senior High dance program, where she honed her skills and nurtured her talent. Her academic journey led her to Florida International University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree while continuing to pursue her passion for dance.
Melissa’s dedication and artistry have made her an integral part of the Miami Dance Project family for over a year now, where she continues to inspire students with her boundless creativity and expressive movement.
Anthony
Instructor
Born and raised in the bustling metropolis of Miami, Florida, Anthony has been spellbound by the world of art and entertainment….
Born and raised in the bustling metropolis of Miami, Florida, Anthony has been spellbound by the world of art and entertainment since his early years. His creative journey has spanned various disciplines, from animation and directing to visual arts and editing.
From a young age, Anthony often dozed on the couch with a paintbrush or pencil, drifting off amidst his nascent creations. Greatly inspired by iconic giants such as Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, his imagination was limitless, propelling him into extraordinary worlds.
He dreamed of bringing beloved characters to life and connecting deeply with audiences through his art. In every brushstroke and camera shot, Anthony aims to embed a piece of his soul, hoping to inspire others to follow their dreams with abandon.
Embark with Anthony on his thrilling artistic journey, where imagination stretches to the infinite horizon.
Elizabeth
Instructor
Elizabeth firmly believes that the delicate balance of our world is maintained by many elements, with the arts playing a crucial role….
Elizabeth firmly believes that the delicate balance of our world is maintained by many elements, with the arts playing a crucial role. From her earliest days, she was enchanted by the diverse allure of artistic expression.
Through dance, song, drawing, or performance, she nurtured a deep desire to display the full scope of her creativity and make a meaningful contribution to the cultural landscape.
This ambition, which took root during her childhood, grew as she was exposed to cinema and television, prompting her to explore diverse perspectives and tackle new questions.
Her involvement with the Miami Dance Project catalyzed personal and artistic development, highlighting the interconnectedness of various creative disciplines. Through this experience, she realized that mastery in one artistic form requires a broad understanding of related fields, reinforcing the need to break traditional boundaries and embrace innovation.
In essence, Elizabeth’s journey illustrates the transformative impact of the arts on both personal identity and collective consciousness. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach and nurturing a spirit of creative inquiry, she aims to inspire future generations, empowering them to unlock their artistic capabilities and enrich the diverse mosaic of human expression.
Sam
Instructor
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Sam discovered her passion for dance at 9 with the Miami Dance Project……..
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Sam discovered her passion for dance at 9 with the Miami Dance Project. Competing with the company deepened her love for movement.
Currently a student at the University of Miami, she skillfully balances her academic pursuits with her innate talent for providing exceptional hospitality, excelling in roles that position her at the forefront of welcoming others.
The vibrant energy of Miami continues to influence her journey, merging the discipline of dance with Southern warmth as she embraces new opportunities.