About us

Artistic Director, Founder, Ballet Master

RUSSIAN VAGANOVA CERTIFIED CLASSICAL  BALLET  TEACHER 

Bolshoi Ballet  Academy  Character  Dance  Teacher Seminar 

Our Director Mrs. Julia Figuerola Carpena Mannucci has been dancing Classical Ballet since 1982. Mrs. Julia Figuerola Carpena Mannucci has studied at the world's most acclaimed Ballet Institutions and has also completed"Methods of Teaching Classical Dance" A  Bolshoi Ballet Academy.

The Bolshoi Ballet Academy has an unsurpassed history of almost 250 years of training the world’s greatest ballet dancers, choreographers, educators, and scholars.  Bolshoi Ballet Academy's curriculum is based on the Vaganova method, respected internationally for its focus on musicality, strength, pureness of classical technique, and its emphasis on individual progress.  Mrs. Figuerola Carpena Mannucci understands how important it is to ensure proper instruction of classical ballet technique from the very first steps. She applies her years of experience and her in-depth knowledge and training of authentic Bolshoi Ballet Academy Methodology - Vaganova method in all of JCS Ballet Academy’s programs for all of our students, and carefully and personally evaluates progress in every stage of the student's training. You can be confident that your child, or you as an adult, will receive only the most solid and strongest dance formation at all times.

"Our Classical Ballet program is carefully planned and structured to follow consistency of technique and artistry throughout each level of study, which allows our students to learn and progress with a thorough understanding of the real Classical Ballet technique which is the pillar for any form of dance."

Photo credit: JCS Professional Photography 2022. All rights reserved.

Mrs. Julia Figuerola Carpena Mannucci has received a certification from Moscow’s  Bolshoi Ballet Academy. She started her classical ballet training in Lima, Peru in 1982.  By the time she was 11 she started intensive training under the direction of Marcela Pardon from Escuela Nacional de Ballet del Peru School of Ballet (Vaganova method & French method). Her passion for classical ballet was a life motivation since her early childhood years, and as for all those who posses that commitment, she would rather spend her days at practice than at any other activity. In 1986 she was invited to participate in Escuela Nacional de Ballet performances as a guest dancer. She danced alongside Peruvian first principal ballet dancer, Jorge Rodriguez as his partner in several performances. She participated in international classical ballet competitions, Certamen Latinoamericano de Ballet Infantil, winning top awards and a scholarship to continue her dance training and education (winners also included other renowned ballet dancers today such as, Giselle Menacho -Peru and Paloma Herrera - Argentina.)

Mrs. Julia feels that life is rewarding when you do what you are passionate about, but most importantly, give glory to God in everything that you do and follow God's call in your life. "He has a perfect plan for us, according to His will and purpose".  In this principle, she founded JCS Ballet Academy. ​

Mrs. Julia was selected to participate at the Official Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow for an intensive Vaganova methodology program by the Academy’s leading teachers from Moscow, Natalya Revich, Yevgeniya Kazeeva, earning a Certification on "Methods of Teaching Classical Dance"  and has had the opportunity to learn  Vaganova Pedagogy directly  from  Bolshoi  Ballet Academy's Master Teacher - Ms. Vera Kulikova  (and  from other notable Vaganova Academy  teachers such as Olga Pavlova.)

Mrs.  Julia is  also  so  grateful to have been a part of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy’s first ever online Character Dance Teacher training Seminar/program receiving one top examination scores  from  Master Character Dance teacher Aleksandr Pshenitsin.

Mrs. Julia is also founder of Ballet Essentials, LLC. She holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration,  and has worked in a variety of fields such as the equine veterinarian alternative medicine industry, consumer electronics, and fashion industry, but ultimately she went back to follow her "Call".  Mrs. Julia is also a horse lover,  as her father was a horse breeder for generations  and  developed  equine  nutraceutical  products for  decades.  Over  the  years  Mrs. Julia’s  family fell  in  love  and  appreciate the  many European dog  breeds,  and  to  this  day  they  have  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  top,  most  trustable  AKC Boxer  breeders  of  European Boxers  in  the  USA.  

Now residing in beautiful Miami, Florida, as a dancer, performer, ballet teacher, dance mom, and wife, she knows there is still so much to be done in her journey, and knows everything is made possible when we let our Father take the lead. Ms. Julia is a woman of Faith who is committed to God first,  her family, her local church, Christ Fellowship of West Kendall, her community, and her country, the United States  of  America.

Director  -   Classical Ballet Teacher - Russian Vaganova Method

Ms. Francesca started her classical ballet training at Miami City Ballet when she was 5 years old for her first year of ballet. Ms. Francesca continued her dance education at JCS Ballet Academy under the rigorous Russian Vaganova Classical Ballet Technique and under the direction of Mrs. Julia Carpena Mannucci.  

In 2019 Ms. Francesca was accepted at the Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet Academy - Russian Advanced Ballet Intensive program in New York City, where through unique instruction by Russian teachers from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, was trained in a rigorous ballet program. Ms. Francesca was trained following world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy curriculum Vaganova method and taught by the Academy’s leading Teachers and Choreographers from Moscow, Russia;   Georgii Gusev,   Andrei Alferov,   Natalya Revich,  Nika Sergeeva.  

In  2021  Ms.  Francesca  was  accepted  at the Official Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow for an intensive Vaganova methodology program on  "Methods of Teaching Classical Dance" Vaganova Academia Year 1, 2 & 3 Syllabus.  

In 2023 Ms. Francesca received a  Teacher Certification from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy for successfully completing and passing examination  Teacher Certification Seminar Pre-Ballet up to 9 years old of the Vaganova Academia Syllabus.

Ms. Francesca continues enriching her knowledge and experience by training and learning at the advanced / professional levels at JCS Ballet Academy, her strong focus on the clarity of technique, increased strength, and greater musicality are important aspects for teaching correctly from the very early stages of training. 

Ms. Francesca's has experience teaching Pre-Ballet Level, beginner entry levels, and Levels I, II, & III for children and beginner adult ballet and adult pointe classes following the Vaganova curriculum resulting in great achievements at JCS Ballet Academy. Ms. Francesca also continues to grow in experience and knowledge and has a unique gift to teach with love  and  discipline in all of her classes. She is very much loved by students and parents alike.

Photo credit: Kathleen Ballard Photography 2019. All Rights Reserved.

Ms. Francesca is an experienced classical ballet performer, as a soloist at JCS Ballet Academy, and has had the opportunity to perform with Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet Academy at their Final Summer 2019 Performance in New York City, having the opportunity to be photographed by world renowned  dance  photographer  Gene  Schiavone .  

Ms. Francesca graduated  Westwood Christian High School with recognition of Academic Achievement. She enjoys playing the violin, which is her favorite instrument, and has played the Clarinet at the school band having the opportunity to perform  at Disney World, Orlando. She  is  currently  a  dedicated  college  student  working  towards  her  Veterinary  Medicine  degree  University  of  Florida.  

Ms. Francesca has  served as a volunteer at her local church Christ Fellowship of West Kendall in the Children's Ministry @CFKids,  has  participated  and  served  at  Christ Fellowship Students @CFStudents  Youth  group.  She is  currently  an  active  member  of  the  Young  Adults  Small  group  and  serves  in  production  at  Christ  Fellowhip  of  West  Kendall.  We are grateful to have Ms. Francesca as part of our selective,  qualified, and Vaganova Certified staff here at JCS Ballet Academy.

Photo credit: JCS  Professional Photography 2019. All Rights Reserved.