Andrew Guilfoil
Artistic Director & Ballet Master

 Mr. Guilfoil began his professional studies of
Classical Ballet at the age of 12 with Alexander Bennett
a former Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet of
London.  Mr. Guilfoil was awarded multiple performance scholarships in both the U.S. and Europe including summer Studies in Scotland and England. At 15 Guilfoil took the Role of Principle Dancer for The Scottish American Ballet under the Direction of Alexander Bennett.
Mr. Guilfoil's studies include Classical Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Folk, Tap, Ballroom and Mid-Eastern Dance. His studies have extended both Nationally and Internationally with many of the greastest artist in the world. Mr. Guilfoil's Professional performance career includes 12 years as a featured Soloist for numerous Dance companies and a 9 year Solo Career in the world of Mid-Eastern dance.
Guilfoil was a professional ballet coach for 6 years with over 20 years of choreography and teaching experience.  In March of 2003 Guilfoil Founded and opened The Guilfoil Academy of dance and the Non-profit Guilfoil Ballet Theater.  Since that time he has produced over 15 major productions including an Annual Nutcracker. Guilfoil's Work has been noted throughout the South Eastern United States and each year Guilfoil's students are offered dance opportunities with major companies and schools.  Mr. Guilfoil is also the Director of the Dance program at a local charter school "Academie Da Vinci" in Dunedin, Florida and a member of Artist in Action.  His love of dance and teaching is witnessed by many including his students of all ages.
Guilfoil has brought quite a legacy to the Tampa Bay Area and his work continues to amaze and excite audiences with each new performance.

                  "Bibi"
Cristina Franco

Cristina "Bibi" Franco, from Estepona, Málaga, Spain, began dancing at age 10 in her hometown with Jazz instructor Deloris Perlmutter. She was spotted by Danny Robin, French actress and after high school, received a scholarship to study at the Ballet Theatre Joseph Rousillo, in Paris, France. She became a member of the company and for three years was touring around Europe and Russia. While performing in the south of France and giving workshops with the company, Bibi met Alvin Ailey in Arles, while he was on tour with his company. Alvin offered her to audition for his school, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in NYC. Back in Paris they met again to present herself for the audition. She received a scholarship at age 19 and went to NYC to join the school, after 2 rigorous years training in Graham, Horton, Ballet, Jazz and Dunham, Tina Ramirez of the Ballet Hispanico of NY came to the school and offered Bibi a position in the company.

Bibi performed for Ballet Hispanico as a soloist in several occasions in the USA. After a couple of years, she went on to experience the Brasilian culture and joined the Jelon Vieira Dance Brazil company in NYC. Getting exposure to Capoeira and the culture of Bahia through its dances, music and beliefs, along with modern dance performances, she continued her exposure and experience with other cultures.

Bibi’s experience includes the Arts Connection organization in NYC, a non profit organization, where she served as a coordinator, bringing the arts to inner city children through performances and workshops in public schools. Bringing great artists such as members of the Metropolitan Opera; Latin Jazz great Tito Puente; Joyce Trysler dance company; Jelon Vieira, and many others; as well as acting workshops, poetry, etc.

After taking time to raise her two sons, Bibi arrived to the Tampa area in July of 2002 and realized she had a desire to go back to her roots. She found Tina Benayas, from Toledo, Spain, residing in Largo, and Tina began teaching her the great art of Flamenco, to continue her experience in dance through the poetry, passion and fire of her culture. Bibi is currently teaching Modern at the Guilfoil Academy of Dance in Clearwater, FL., as well as choreographing for the Guilfoil Dance Company and is a member of the board of directors. In 2004 founded Malaga  Arts Connection. For more information on workshops, etc, click here

Her teaching experience includes Jelon Vieira Dance Brasil company clases, workshops in Spain (Costa del Sol), the Caribbean and Brazil.

Featured in television in Tampa:
"The Spot" and "The Daily Show".
Radio: "Tampa Media Talk", "Rumba 680".

Choreographer for Shaka Kahn's Art Club, for Shaka Kahns Clearwater Jazz Festival 2006, for her song
"I Believe" .

Letha Speros "Miss Letha"
Tap

Miss Letha began dance at the age of 4 in Tulsa Oklahoma.  At the age of 14 her family moved to California where she continued her studies with the teachers who were the original choreographers for the Disney mousekateers. Tap was her love so she assisted with classes and upon graduation she began teaching. She taught for Alan Currier for 16 years until his death. Letha was also involved with group theater and danced in several shows including the lead dancer in The Dream Ballet of Okalahoma. She then moved to Washington Statewhere she continued teaching until moving to Florida. Miss Letha gets great enjoyment sharing her love of dance with others. We are excited to have her with us this year and look forward to the offering Tap to our students.