Artistic Director
Heather Mills Ossola
Heather Ossola is the Artistic Director and co-founder of Coastal Ballet of Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Management from Mercyhurst University (formerly Mercyhurst College) and enjoyed a distinguished nine-year professional career, performing with The Ballet Theatre of Maryland and Tampa Ballet Theatre. Throughout her career, she danced as a demi soloist, soloist, and principal dancer in numerous classical and neo-classical productions.
Drawing on more than thirteen years of experience as a dance educator with a focus on classical ballet, Heather Ossola has taught a range of dance styles at schools and companies throughout the eastern United States. As the lead instructor for The Ballet Theatre of Maryland's outreach initiative, she introduced underserved children to the joy of ballet, making the art form accessible and engaging. She served as the Ballet Mistress for Tampa Ballet Theatre for three seasons, during which time she choreographed the full-length ballet, Peter Pan, in addition to re-staging many other classical works.
In 2021 Heather co-founded and directed STEPS Ballet Ensemble, a pre-professional program for aspiring young dancers. She has
choreographed and restaged numerous ballets and contemporary works on professional and pre professional artists, consistently delivering high-caliber performances to the public.
Heathers unwavering dedication to dance education and her passion for choreography, have solidified her reputation as a beloved and influential figure in the ballet community.
Executive Director
Lauren Ben Yaaqov
Lauren is an esteemed dance educator, studio owner, choreographer, and director with a distinguished career in dance that spans multiple continents. As the proud owner of STEPS School of Dance and co-founder and Executive Director of Coastal Ballet of Florida, Lauren has cultivated a reputation for her artistic excellence and leadership in the dance community. Her lifelong dedication to dance, from her formative years to professional accomplishments, has positioned her as a visionary in dance education and performance.
Lauren’s journey began at age 8 under the tutelage of Maureen Gibson at STEPS School of Dance. She later trained with prestigious ballet schools such as the North Carolina School of the Arts, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and Sarasota Ballet, before earning her BFA in Dance from Florida State University.
Lauren’s performance career includes dancing with the Richmond Ballet and working as a freelance performer in New York City, where she developed a passion for choreography. She has showcased her work at renowned venues such as STEPS on Broadway, the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theatre, the Baryshnikov Arts Center, and Columbia University. Internationally, she has performed and choreographed across Europe and Israel, broadening her artistic vision through global exposure.
In 2017, Lauren took ownership of STEPS School of Dance, elevating it to new heights by establishing a competitive dance team, a pre-professional ballet program, and introducing an original annual production of The Nutcracker, which has become a celebrated event across Pinellas County. Her dynamic leadership and innovative programs have cemented STEPS' reputation as one of the area’s leading dance institutions.
Now, as Executive Director of Coastal Ballet of Florida, Lauren brings her wealth of experience to a new level, inspiring dancers through her artistic vision, business acumen, and dedication to the art of dance.