Founded in 2010 by Gelsey Kirkland and Michael Chernov, The Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet’s mission is to encourage a renaissance of dramatic storytelling in ballet by providing specialized training for gifted students, and by establishing a classically-oriented professional studio company capable of creating and performing new dramatic works. Located in downtown NYC, The Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet (GKA) offers a highly rigorous training program aimed at the full cultural development of the young artist. Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet (GKA) endeavors to provide the most innovative and comprehensive training program, recognizing the need for new methods of instruction to cultivate the next generation of ballet dancers. GKA has built a uniquely focused curriculum led by master teachers providing instruction in three major areas: ballet, core dynamics and dramatic development. GKA is committed to developing classical dancers who are capable of expressing powerful theatrical ideas in ballet through a rich understanding of other artistic disciplines cultures and traditions, and to advancing the artform of classical ballet.