Welcome to our newest staff member, Aneliese Benson!

Aneliese began her passion for dance at the age of three in Ocala, Florida at her local dance studio training in all styles of dance. At age 15, she received a scholarship to study ballet at Next Generation Ballet (NGB)  in Tampa, Florida under the direction of former New York City Ballet Principal, Philip Neal. NGB provided her opportunities to perform lead roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty.

Aneliese also competed in the Youth American Grand Prix where she was invited to the Tampa Finals for two consecutive years. Following High School graduation, she was offered a Trainee position with the professional company Charlotte Ballet in Charlotte, NC.  While in Charlotte, she had wonderful opportunities to perform works such as Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s The Nutcracker, and  Christopher Stuart’s Peter Pan. Highlights of her time as a trainee was performing as a Soloist in George Balanchine’s Divertamento No.15 from Theme and Variations, staged by Patricia McBride, and in Alejandro Cerrudo’s Lickety Split.

Currently Aneliese is in her first season with Ballet Vero Beach, as a fellow and excited to share her love of dance with the students at South Florida Dance Company!