Our people.

Gentle Barre is built by a qualified team of dance educators, teaching artists, and classroom support professionals who share a belief that every child deserves meaningful access to dance.

Our team brings together professional experience in dance, choreography, performance, behavioral education, and child support.

An instructor laughs with young dancers as they stretch together on the studio floor.
Portrait of Emilia Grillasca, seated cross-legged against a pale backdrop.

Founder & Artistic Director

Emilia Grillasca

Emilia Grillasca is a classically trained dancer, choreographer, dance educator, and founder of The Gentle Barre Project. With more than a decade of experience in dance, she has trained and performed extensively throughout her career, including time studying with American Ballet Theatre. Her work as both a dancer and choreographer has been recognized with awards at the local and national level.

She holds a degree in Psychology and brings more than seven years of professional experience in behavioral education. Her interdisciplinary background in dance, psychology, and behavioral education led her to develop Gentle Barre’s distinctive approach to movement: a dance-centered environment informed by an understanding of individual learning, communication, pacing, and participation.

As Founder and Artistic Director, Emilia oversees Gentle Barre’s curriculum, teaching approach, and creative direction, bringing together her background in the performing arts and behavioral education to create a thoughtful, rigorous, and accessible approach to dance.

Around every class

Classes are led by qualified teaching artists, with trained classroom support alongside them depending on enrollment and the needs of each group. Our small-group model allows our team to know each dancer individually and provide thoughtful support while keeping dance at the center of the experience.

Our team is carefully selected for professional experience, relevant training, and a genuine commitment to working with children.

Teaching Artists

Our teaching artists bring professional training and experience in dance education, performance, choreography, and movement instruction to the Gentle Barre classroom.

Classroom Support

Our classroom support professionals bring qualifications and experience in behavioral education, child support, and responsive classroom practice, and share a deep commitment to helping every dancer take part.

Behavioral & Classroom Support

Natalie Soto-Grillasca

Natalie Soto-Grillasca holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and brings specialized expertise in behavioral education to the Gentle Barre classroom. Her work centers on creating supportive, responsive environments in which children can participate with confidence and at their own pace.

At Gentle Barre, Natalie works alongside teaching artists to help translate each dancer’s individual needs into thoughtful classroom support. Her approach reflects the project’s belief that access is not about changing the dancer, but about creating an environment where every dancer has the opportunity to engage, participate, and experience the joy of movement.

Interested in teaching with us?

Join the project