Education Policies are not open to interpretation or discussion, have been developed with the latest guidelines available, and are meant to keep faculty, staff, and students safe.

Kevin Quillinan, Director of Theatre Education, Drama Teacher

Kevin has enjoyed teaching and directing students of all ages since graduating from Shenandoah Conservatory with a BFA in Theatre for Youth. He has directed and taught at The Growing Stage in Virginia, and for six years was the head of the theatre department at Triton Regional High School in Byfield, MA where he created curriculum and developed new classes. He also co-founded HarleQuyn Theatre to offer affordable classes and shows to local schools. Kevin was a recipient of the 2012 Freddie G Teaching Fellowship, an honor bestowed by Freddie Gershon, CEO of Music Theatre International (MTI).

Classes: Intermediate Theatre Arts Workshop and Advanced Theatre Arts Workshop

Deborah Quillinan, Music Teacher

Debbie is a vocal coach, director, choreographer, and teacher. She is a graduate of Shenandoah University with a BM Performance in Voice. Most recently, she was music director for Disney’s The Lion King, Little Mermaid Jr., and Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! She teaches music in St. Lucie County. She also taught, choreographed and directed shows for HarleQuyn Theatre and Triton Regional High School in Massachusetts.

Classes: Voice

Adam Schnell, Director Of Dance Program, Dance Teacher

Adam has been teaching both dance and theater for over a decade and is a sought after master teacher throughout the country. Since moving to Vero Beach in the fall of 2009 he has served as director of dance for Riverside Theatre for Kids. In December 2010, his The Nutcracker: In Swingtime! premiered at Riverside Theatre for Kids to sold out audiences and critical acclaim. Adam created The Riverside Dance Festival, a program designed to pair the working dance artists of today with the aspiring dancers of tomorrow. Mr. Schnell is also the Founding Artistic Director of Ballet Vero Beach.

Franco Cubero Acosta, Dance Teacher

Franco was born in the province of Villa Clara, Cuba. He studied at the Olga Alonso González Dance School and Vicentina de la Torre Academy of Arts in Camaguey. He joined Ballet de Camaguey in 2017, Teatrul de Balet Sibiu in Romania in 2019, and the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in the Czech Republic in 2022. Franco has performed leading roles throughout his career, including the Prince and Arabian in The Nutcracker, Gilberto in Flames of Paris, Pas de Trois in Swan Lake, Pas de Deux in Paquita, Pas de Deux in the Flower Festival in Genzano, Conrad in Le Corsaire pas de trois, ‘Tchaikovsky’ in Tchaikovsky Tribute, Vronsky in Anna Karenina, ‘Death’ in Lady of the Camellias by Mehmet Balkan, Raymonda Suite, the Gypsy King and Espada in Don Quixote. He has also been featured in works by contemporary choreographer Alberto Méndez González. Franco is thrilled to be joining Ballet Vero Beach for his first season.

Katherine Eppink, Dance Teacher

Katherine Eppink is a graduate of the University of Utah where she earned a B.F.A. from the department of ballet. Katherine began her classical ballet training in Des Moines at Iowa Dance Theatre. She also danced on scholarship as a member of Utah Ballet, the resident performing company of University of Utah, where she performed lead roles in Serenade, Coppélia, Swan Lake, Ruslan and Ludmila, and The Nutcracker. With Ballet Vero Beach, Ms. Eppink has been featured in works by Samuel Kurkjian, Adam Schnell, Ariel Grossman, and Camilo A. Rodriguez. Additionally, Katherine originated the roll of The Sugar Plum Seller/Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker on the Indian River.

Ellie Hennequin, Dance Teacher

Ellie was born in High Wycombe, Great Britain. She trained with Julie Overton, Annie Coatalen and at the Elmhurst Ballet School, which offers a creative connection with Birmingham Royal Ballet. She joined Teatrul De Balet Sibiu in Sibiu, Romania in 2019 and National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in the Czech Republic in 2022. Professionally, Ellie has performed numerous leading roles, such as Mirliton and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, soloist in the Raymonda Suite, Lise in La Fille Mal Gardée, and Kitri’s Friend in Don Quixote. This is Ms. Hennequin’s first season with Ballet Vero Beach.

Lindsey Kader, Dance Teacher

Lindsey Kader was born and raised in Omaha, NE. She trained at the Motion 41 Dance, Omaha Academy of Ballet, and Dedication Dance Co. She has performed as a member of American Midwest Ballet Junior Company dancing Effie in La Sylphide and featured roles in pieces by Cameron Miller and Matthew Lovegood. She has also performed as part of the Omaha Dance Project, performing works by Isaac Sharratt and Stephanie Huettner.

Abriella Mauldin, Dance Teacher

Abriella Mauldin was born in North Carolina and grew up in Satellite Beach, FL. She began dancing at the age of 4 and received much of her training at Dance Arts Centre where she studied with Soozi Childers, Sarah Balda, Amanda Manis, and Marty Mercado. As a student, she has performed with the Space Coast Ballet Company, Open World Dance Foundation, and Joseph Gatti (United Ballet Theatre). Vero audiences will remember as a standout participant in several Riverside Dance Festival productions. She is a recent graduate of West Shore Jr./Sr. High School where she received a Diploma of Distinction. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree from Eastern Florida State College.

Marty Mercado, Dance Teacher

Mercado brings more than 30 years of dance experience to Brevard County. Ms. Marty is a Florida Native born in Pinellas County where she began her training with Mrs. Agnus Phillips dance master for the Royal Ballet in England. Her training continued with superb teachers from the University of Utah, University of South Florida, American Ballet Theatre, Kirov School of Leningrad and Ballet Concerto Company of Cuba. Ms. Marty danced professionally with Florida West Ballet Company, Milwaukee Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and Tampa Ballet. Ms. Marty has shared the stage with such wonderful dancers such as Martin Freedman of the Kirov School of Leningrad, Haydee Gutierrez of Cuba, Lauren Rouse of Joffrey Ballet, Nobuyoski Nakajima of Tokyo City Ballet Company, Henry Hernandez of Southern Ballet and Orazio Messina of Teatro La Fenice, Venice Italy. Ms. Marty has worked as an Artist in Residence for Brevard Cultural Alliance and Very Special Arts of Florida. She has taught dance in the Brevard County Juvenile Detention Center, Space Coast Marine Institute, and Rainwater Girls Institute striving to bring a form of artistic expression to youth at risk. She has written dance curriculum for Arts for a Complete Education with the Florida Alliance for Arts Education and has served on the Florida Dance Association Board of Directors. Ms. Marty also was chosen to work with dance writing team for the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for the Arts (NGSSS-Arts). Ms. Marty was the owner and Artistic Director of Precision Contemporary Dance in Brevard County for over 12 years. She produced original works at The King Center and The Henegar Center in Melbourne. She was also one of the co–curators for Robot Love.

Mia Pacitto, Dance Teacher

Mia’s passion for dance started as a child in London, England, taking examinations with the I.S.T.D. and performing at grand theatres such as the London Palladium. After immigrating to the U.S. in her teens, Mia’s dance world went from a strict syllabus to a traveling, competitive scene.

Whilst majoring in dance at V.C.C., Mia’s love for travel led her to a career upon sea with Disney Cruise Line, dancing and performing lead acting and singing roles. Mia also joined Celebrity Cruise Line as an activities team member, running all onboard entertainment. Mia has performed in shows and parades for all major Florida theme parks, including Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and Busch Gardens. Miss Mia has taught at dance and gymnastic studios state wide and her choreography has been awarded for national dance competition team performances and gymnastic floor routines. Mia has toured with shows nationally and internationally with Vee Corporation’s Sesame Street Live and FELD Entertainment’s Disney Live. Mia’s feel for the urban dance scene expanded when she danced for the NBA, with the NBDL Fayetteville Patriots, leading her to pass the Les Mills Body Jam aerobic training. 

Aside from dance, Mia has worked in the health and fitness industry. Mia managed LA Fitness health clubs, and obtained her license in facial aesthetics and acupressure. Mia feels that her vast exposure to cultures and styles, and her professional dance career, has enabled her to show students a well-rounded perspective on movement.

Camilo A. Rodriguez, Dance Teacher

Camilo began his ballet training at Ballets de San Juan and Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico. He continued his training on full scholarship in New York City at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School. He excels in the teaching of Ballet and Modern technique and is also a well respected certified Pilates Instructor. Mr. Rodriguez also serves as ballet master for Ballet Vero Beach.

Darien Santos, Dance Teacher

Darien grew up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He trained at Turning Pointe Dance Studio under the direction of Laura Faria Sciortino. He has been a member of BalletMet Academy’s Trainee Program and a second company member with Orlando Ballet 2. Darien has performed roles in ballets including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire, Giselle, George Balanchine’s Western Symphony, La Bayadere, Napoli, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Michael Pink’s Dracula, Moulin Rouge The Ballet, and A Streetcar Named Desire. He has also performed in neo-classical works by Laura Faria Sciortino, Yves de Bouteiller, Edwaard Liang, Heath Gill, Natrea Blake, Justin Allen, Leiland Charles, Rachel Kreiling, Karen Wing, Tara Iacobucci, and Katie Grenier. This is his first season with Ballet Vero Beach.