The Gentle Barre Project.

A specialized adaptive ballet program for children with diverse learning needs — combining the structure and beauty of classical ballet with individualized support.

Our Mission

Dance for every child.

Gentle Barre, founded by Emilia Grillasca, is a specialized adaptive ballet program created for children with diverse learning needs. The program combines the structure and beauty of classical ballet with individualized support to create a safe, welcoming environment where every child can grow with confidence.

At Adrenaline Dance Company, Director Alex Anthony has always believed that dance should be accessible, empowering, and transformative for every student who walks through the studio doors.

By welcoming The Gentle Barre Project into the Adrenaline community, Alex, Emilia, and the Adrenaline team are helping lead an important step forward in inclusive dance education. Together, we're building a supportive program where students with diverse learning needs can develop coordination, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement.

Program Details

Class Length: 45 minutes
Current Schedule: Saturday classes
Age Groups: 3–6 · 7–11 · 12–16
Enrollment: Monthly, limited spaces
Class Size: Maximum 5 students
Instruction: Adaptive · tailored to each learner

A Collaborative Partnership

The Directors.

Emilia Grillasca

Founding Director, The Gentle Barre Project

Emilia Grillasca is the Founding Director of The Gentle Barre Project, an adaptive ballet program dedicated to making the beauty and discipline of classical dance accessible to children with diverse learning needs. She received classical ballet training for over fifteen years, including training at the American Ballet Theatre in New York, and earned numerous regional and national titles as both a dancer and choreographer. Emilia holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and brings over eight years of professional experience supporting children with special needs as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). Drawing from her background in classical dance, behavioral science, and curriculum design, she founded The Gentle Barre Project to create a structured, supportive environment where children of all abilities can build confidence, develop coordination, and experience the transformative power of dance.

Alexandria "Alex" Anthony

Studio Director, Adrenaline Dance Company

Alex was born in Miami. She began dancing at the age of 11 and immediately began competing. At the age of 16 Alex represented the USA in the World Championship in Germany. She was a featured dancer in music videos and backup dancer for various artists. Her dream of opening her own studio became reality in 2012 when ADC opened. Alex choreographs throughout the country. Her award-winning choreography has been recognized by Industry Dance Awards and other competitions.