Faculty

Rosario was born in Holguin, Cuba where she began her ballet training at the Vocational School of Art where she received her graduate degree. Ms. Leyva danced professionally at the Opera theatre Company Rodrigo Prats, where she performed a vast repertory, in addition she worked as a teacher at the Academy of Ballet with children and adults. She was awarded the title of first level dancer in ballet and musical theater. In 1995 she joined the prestigious Camaguey ballet under the direction of Jorge Rodriguez Vedes. In 1999, she graduated from the art institut of Camaguey, Cuba. In 2004 she had the opportunity to move to Chihuahua, Mexico as Head Teacher, Artistic Director and Choreographer of the Ballet School Sergio Franco. Since 2009 she has lived in Naples, teaching at Naples Ballet and taking part in numerous productions.

Mrs. Vilania Gomez began her career in Havana, Cuba where she trained at the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA) in Havana, graduating in 1992 with a dance teacher degree in Modern and Cuban Folkloric dance. The same year , she won a honorable mention for dance in the 4th National Union of Writers and Artists in Havana.Her dancing journey began to really blossom when she was offered the opportunity to become a choreographer and  Artistic Director of the company Havana Salsa in Chile. Here she designed all costumes and received widespread  recognition for creating the most unique shows in Santiago of Chili. She taught modern dance, Afro and Latin Rhythms keeping her dancers trained for the performances.As a two time winner of the season finale of the Chile TV program, she was also selected by the Mayumana Academy, the internationally acclaimed rhythm -dance performance company from Israel, for a shared performance in their presentations in Chile. Brazilian singer Joe Vasconcellos saw one of her presentations in Chili, Vilania was contacted to not only perform in his shows , but also help create multiple of his spectaculars.Hired as the modern dance teacher at the Academy Rosario Lansol created by the the former Prima ballerina of the National Chilean Ballet.Mrs. Vilania has been teaching children Modern-Contemporary dance and choreography composition at the Salvation Armys Fran Cohen Youth center for their School of Performing Arts, creating their dance performances as well.

Chiara Junkroski grew up in Naples, Florida, and began dancing at age 3. At age 9, she began focusing exclusively on ballet and joined Naples Academy of Ballet, where she trained intensively in ballet and pointe before becoming a member of the Naples Ballet pre-professional company. She performed in the company’s annual full-length productions, including lead roles in Cinderella, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty.
Chiara remained with Naples Ballet through 2020, when she graduated summa cum laude from Lely High School and began her undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Studies, a minor in Nutrition, and a Certificate in Dance Medicine and Science. While at USF, she performed works by choreographers Andrew Carroll and Paula Nuñez. In 2023, she participated in USF’s Dance in Paris study abroad program, training with Wanjiru Kamuyu, Sébastien Thill, LaMichael Leonard, Michael Foley, Nina Vallon, and Sylvie Albinhac, as well as participating in choreographic workshops with Maurice Causey, Nathalie Pubellier, and Heidi Weiss.
Chiara returned to Naples Ballet professionally in 2024, where she works as a ballet instructor and assists with office operations. She continues to perform in Naples Ballet’s annual productions. In July 2026, she completed American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum course in New York City for Pre-Primary through Level 3.

Caitlin trained with Naples Ballet throughout high school and spent summers training with Next Generation Ballet and Sarasota Ballet. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida State University with a degree in Interior Design. After graduating, she danced professionally with Savannah Ballet Theatre from 2018-2020 performing in The Nutcracker, Wizard of Oz, Stars and Stripes, and the original production of Jack the Ripper. She also trained in the summer program for professionals with Nashville Ballet. After moving back to Naples she began training with Naples Ballet again and danced as a guest artist in their productions of The Nutcracker and Cinderella. She looks forward to combining her dance experience and Pilates education to teach students and further her dance career. 

Renato Penteado was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he began his dance training at the age of 7.

In 1998, he competed in the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was invited by Miami City Ballet Founder and then Artistic Director Edward Villella to join the company, where he was promoted Principal in 2004.

Throughout his career, Mr. Penteado has danced nationally and internationally in numerous classical, neoclassical, contemporary and modern works by world renowned choreographers, such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, Alexei Ratmansky, Paul Taylor, Christopher Wheeldon, John Cranko, Justin Peck, Edward Villella, Liam Scarlett, Sir Frederick Ashton and many others.

In 2016, Mr. Penteado was nominated and voted the winner of Dance Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards for Best Male Performance.

In addition to his performing career, Mr. Penteado has taught extensively as a faculty member of Summer Dance Programs throughout the United States and was until recently part of the faculty of Central Pennsylvania Ballet under the direction of Darla Hoover.