ABOUT SPORT AND DANCE ACADEMY
MORE THAN
DANCE
A STRONGER TOMORROW
At Sport and Dance Academy, we believe dance has the power to build confidence, discipline, creativity and a brighter future for every student.
EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTORS
1 WEEK FREE
OUR MISSION
INSPIRE. TEACH. EMPOWER.
Our mission is to provide high-quality dance education in a positive, disciplined, and supportive environment where every student can grow both as a dancer and as a person.
At Sport and Dance Academy, we are committed to developing strong technique, confidence, creativity, teamwork, and character while inspiring a lifelong appreciation for dance and the performing arts.
AGES 2+
ALL SKILL LEVELS
OUR STORY
A STUDIO BUILT ON PASSION
Founded in 2017, Sport and Dance Academy was born from a shared passion for dance and a commitment to inspiring the next generation of performers.
With years of experience in dance, choreography, and performing arts, Gary Magel and Yanelis Hernandez joined forces to create a place where dancers of all ages could learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
What began as a shared vision has grown into an award-winning dance academy, known for its dedication to artistic excellence, technical training, and competitive success.
Today, Sport and Dance Academy continues to inspire young dancers, build confidence, and develop champions both on and off the stage.
THE PASSION BEHIND SDA
MEET THE OWNERS
GARY MAGEL
Owner, Director
Gary Magel is the Founder and Director of Sport and Dance Academy and an award-winning choreographer with a lifelong passion for dance, performance, and student development. He began dancing at age 14 and has spent decades developing his craft, including Hip Hop styles such as Yeek. While attending the University of Miami, Gary was an integral member of KAOS, where he continued to grow as a dancer and performer.
As a choreographer, Gary has led his students to success at the regional, national, and world levels. His recent accomplishments include earning a highly coveted Victory Cup at Starpower Nationals and two second-place finishes at the World Dance Championship, in addition to numerous awards and accolades throughout South Florida.
Gary brings a distinctive approach to Hip Hop, including a regional style rooted in the Georgia dance culture he grew up around. His classes emphasize strength, endurance, musicality, confidence, and individual expression. Gary is committed to helping every student grow both physically and mentally, using dance to develop discipline, confidence, creativity, and character.
YANELIS HERNANDEZ
Owner, Director
Yanelis Hernandez is the Founder and Director of Sport and Dance Studio Center. A professionally trained dancer and award-winning choreographer with over 25 years of experience, she graduated in Cuba with training in Classical Ballet, Modern and Contemporary Dance, Cuban Folklore, and Latin American Dance.
After arriving in the United States in 1995, she taught at several dance academies before founding Sport and Dance Studio Center in 2010, combining dance education with After School and Summer Camp programs. This vision later expanded into Sport and Dance Academy, offering comprehensive and competitive dance training.
As a director and choreographer, Yanelis has led her students to regional, national, and world competitions, consistently earning top placements and prestigious awards. She has also appeared on television as a guest judge and to showcase her students.
MEET OUR TEAM
OUR EXPERT INSTRUCTORS
LEILA MUNIZ
Ballet Technique | Lyrical
Leila was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and started dancing at the young age of seven years old. She graduated in 1986 with a Masters in Ballet (Technique & Choreography) and has also studied and teaches Jazz, Contemporary and Modern Musical Theater for over 35 years. She has a passion for working with young children at a young age.
Leila has worked as a choreographer for Disney World, many other professional productions and competitions has been entertaining audiences in more than 18 countries throughout Europe, Asia and South America.
LUIS "EL INDIO" MARTINEZ
Folklore | Rumba | Salsa
With thirty-five years of dance instruction and choreographic production, he has directed workshops, festivals and shows in Cuba, Mexico and the USA. His extensive knowledge of Afro-Cuban popular dances and Franco-Haitian folklore stand out. He has been a choreographer and dancer for important Latin stars such as Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan and Alberto Santa Rosa. His work is introducing and disseminating Casino dance in Mexico and teaching Afro-Antillean dance and Cuban salsa in several Mexican universities endorses his vocation for uplifting the youngest talents.
VICENTE HERNANDEZ
Acrobatics
Gymnast for 8 years, passed the ENG, national school of Gymnastics, then I went to the ESPA, pre youth national team. Participating in international tournaments inside and outside Cuba. Creator of the physical preparation program for the Cuban ballet school. Scientific papers in national and international congresses. I worked in Brazil for 12 years as a trainer and rehabilitator of dancers. In USA work done, intensive course in Connecticut, New Orleans, Pennsylvania, Mexico City and Monterrey.
KAMARIA DAILEY
Afro Fusion | Expressions
Kamaria Dailey is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and counselor with over 20 years of experience in dance, arts, and leadership. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Dance from New World School of the Arts and a master’s degree in Counseling from Nova Southeastern University.
She has performed internationally with Brazz Dance Theater and Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, with choreography presented in the U.S. and abroad. Her film and commercial credits include Bad Boys for Life, Jason Derulo, P-Square, and Skip and Damian Marley. Kamaria also founded organizations combining performing arts, mentorship, and mental wellness for youth.
MAIKEL HERNANDEZ
Ballet | Jumps & Turns
Maikel began his ballet training at age 9 at the Alejo Carpentier School of Ballet in Havana before continuing at Cuba’s National School of Ballet. In 2003, he joined the National Ballet of Cuba, rising from Corps de Ballet to Soloist in 2014.
Throughout his career, Maikel performed featured roles in major classical productions including Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and The Nutcracker. He also trained under renowned instructors such as Loipa Araujo, Josefina Mendez, Aurora Bosch, Svetlana Ballester, and Lazaro Carreno.
Birane Moore
Body Expressions
Birane Moore is a dancer and choreographer from Baltimore, Maryland, now based in Georgia. He began his training at Ballethnic Academy of Dance, developing a strong foundation in performance and choreography. His experience includes work with The Atlanta Opera, performances at the Fox Theatre, and leading roles at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. His choreography blends contemporary movement, classical modern techniques, hip-hop, and ballet, with a focus on musicality, intention, and personal expression. Birane currently works as a freelance artist, creating and collaborating with dancers and institutions nationwide.
ZENNACH BALLESTER
Ballet
Zennach is a graduate of the Cuban Alejo Carpentier Ballet School. During her career in the arts, she was a member of some of the best companies in Cuba such as the Ballet de Cuban Television, Habana Night, and Tony Menéndez. She rose to the rank of 1st dancer and participated in various national and international shows. After retiring from the stage, she pursued a bachelor's degree in art education, which she received with a Gold Degree as a student. She is the creator of the dance project Sueños Clásicos, which has produced many dancers who are now part of the dance sector of Cuba's art schools and companies.
KASSANDRA RATEAU
Hip Hop
Kassandra Rateau is the founder of BCITY Reps and a former contestant on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew (Season 6). A lifelong hip hop dancer, she spent 12 years with Phunk Phenomenon Dance Company before launching BCITY, a mentorship-based program focused on confidence, community, and youth development.
Her experience includes coaching the Boston Celtics Jr. Dance Team, performing at major events, opening for Grammy-winning artist Miguel, and competing nationally and internationally, including Hip Hop International.
ROSARIO SUÁREZ
Ballet Master | Repertoire
Internationally acclaimed Cuban ballerina and former Principal Dancer of the National Ballet of Cuba, Rosario Suárez is regarded as one of the most distinguished Cuban dancers of her generation. A Gold Medal winner at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, she performed leading roles in more than 50 countries throughout her remarkable 27-year career. Today, she brings her exceptional artistry, experience, and mastery of the Cuban ballet tradition to the next generation of dancers.
ELIZABETH JARAMILLO
Modern | Contemporary
Ms. Elizabeth began dancing at age 6 at the French National Institute of Dance “Raymond Mouge Thoniel,” where she received extensive training in Ballet, Modern and Contemporary Dance, Jazz, Hip Hop, Pedagogy, Anatomy, Theater, and the visual arts.
She is a Florida Department of Education certified dance teacher for grades K–12 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Dance with special recognition in Classical Ballet. With more than 19 years of teaching and choreography experience, she has worked with dancers of all ages and levels.
