Our Students: the Heart of CYBT's Mission
Impact Story: Enzo’s Journey
At just 14 years old, Enzo España embodies the talent, dedication, and potential that Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre’s programs are designed to nurture.
Enzo began dancing at Coastal Dance Centre at the age of four. Over the past decade, he has grown into a passionate young artist whose commitment to his craft is truly extraordinary. For the last four years, he has been a valued member of CYBT’s Performing Company Program, bringing magic to the stage as the Nutcracker Prince for two consecutive seasons—dancing in all 10 performances each year. These
experiences have not only strengthened his technique and stage presence but have also developed his partnering skills and confidence as a performer.
Enzo’s dedication extends beyond the studio:
• Academic Excellence: A current eighth grader, Enzo has consistently earned straight-A Honor Roll marks throughout his schooling.
• Artistic Recognition: In February 2025, he earned 2nd Place in the Junior Solo Contemporary Category (Ages 12–14) at the prestigious Youth America Grand
Prix (YAGP) Regionals. He also performed in two ensemble pieces that placedand qualified for the YAGP Finals in Tampa, FL, where their Zapateado character ensemble earned 2nd Place at Finals.
Enzo’s journey is supported by the unwavering dedication of his parents, Eros and Danielle, who also nurtured the dreams of his sister, Siena, a CDC-CYBT alumna who recently completed her Associate Degree at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam and is now a junior company member with the Thüringer State Ballet in Gera, Germany. While the family’s commitment is steadfast, the financial demands of elite-level training are significant, especially as Enzo’s opportunities continue to expand.
This is where your support makes a difference. Sponsorships help cover the costs of advanced training, competition fees, costumes, and the high-level performance opportunities that shape promising young dancers like Enzo.
When you invest in CYBT’s Elite Conservatory Training Program and Performing Company, you are not just supporting one dancer, you are investing in the future of the arts, in young lives full of potential, and in the cultural enrichment of our entire community.
Transformative Journey: Genesis’ Story
When Genesis first stepped into Coastal Dance Centre at the age of four, no one could have predicted how deeply ballet would shape her life. What began as an after-school activity has become a source of discipline, resilience, and joy – and a dream
she is determined to pursue.
Now a member of the Elite Conservatory Training Program and the CYBT Performing Company, Genesis devotes countless hours to training. Last year, she bravely stepped onto a national stage at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) – a milestone that pushed her to new levels of confidence and artistry.
“Ballet is my passion. It’s where I can be myself, push myself, and dream big. My parents work so hard so I can dance, and I want to make them proud.”
– Genesis, age 12
Behind this dedication is a family making extraordinary sacrifices. Her father, who runs a small marketing business serving Latino-owned companies in the community, works tirelessly to support both Genesis and her younger sister, Aylen, who also dances. While their parents manage unpredictable income cycles and financial strain, they have never let the girls’ training slip – because they see the life-changing impact it has on their daughters.
“Dance is not just an extracurricular activity. It is a passion, a source of joy, and a foundation for personal growth. Receiving scholarship support would ease our financial burden and allow us to keep investing in their training without the constant worry of how to make it all work.”
– Genesis’ parents
Impact Story: Maverick’s Journey
“We’re trusting Coastal Dance Centre and Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre with a significant portion of the lives of our children. We trust Coastal Dance Centre and Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre as a place where Maverick and his sister Ava’s character
is being developed as much as their dancing. They’re learning that achievement takes hard work. They’re learning how to be confident while staying humble. They’re learning how to be good teammates. This is what makes Coastal Dance Centre and Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre special.”
– Michelle McKay, CDC-CYBT Parent and Summer Scholarship Recipient Family
Stories like Maverick’s are at the heart of our mission. Thanks to the Boys Scholarship Program, students, environment. For families like the Espanas, McKays and the Flores-Castillos, CDC-CYBT has become more than a training ground – it’s become home.
