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Welcome to our garden...
A butterfly is not born a "butterfly" - it is incubated. It is created by love, grown by nurture, care and more love... guided through their own journey and only then they flourish.
Our talented and artistic professional Team at Tiny Butterflies Academy is the heart of our garden.
With years of experience and a deep passion for their art, our Master Instructors are committed to guiding each child on their "unique" journey.
From egg to butterfly our Team conceives a supportive and inspiring atmosphere where every child can thrive.
Join our garden today and be a part of birthing a new generation of unique children with their unique gifts without barriers.
Tiny Butterflies Academy is a community Garden created to focus primarily on individual growth and development of YOUR child.
A Little About Us
Meet Our Founder
I was just 3 years old, when my mother signed me up for dance classes as an after school alternative. She was a single mother working two jobs. That always stuck with me. Little did she know that (one) decision would seal and ignite a passion within me. The love affair grew in intensity as I learned, developed and studied the art of ballet and flamenco. I shortly thereafter stumbled upon my first acting role. While accompanying my ballet instructor to one of her rehearsals, the Director needed a "shy little girl" for two scenes; (Um, hello?) I fit the part and caught the bug. At the young age of 16, I auditioned for the local and quite prestigious Ballet Concerto Company in Miami. I then became the youngest member of the company. During my tenure with Door to the Arts, a non-profit organization co-founded by Alina Trueba, I discovered my calling and began my journey in after school enrichment. Over two decades later I have been blessed to continue to develop my mission for children and now expanding to adults throughout South Florida. Tiny Butterflies Academy is an extension of my years of experience teaching, building, growing and managing the arts for participating schools. My extensive experience in accounts management, strong client advocacy skills, human resources, financial administration, artistic experience, staging, choreograhy AND above all, love for the arts conspire to water, nurture and grow the butterfly garden. My goal for this new venture is to continue offering students a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore their artistic potential while cultivating social-emotional skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, self-discipline, and creative thinking. At Tiny Butterflies Academy we will provide engaging activities that focus on developing each student's individual artistry whilst creating a sense of connection within the group. We strive to have all butterflies come away with a greater appreciation for cultural diversity as well as enthusiasm for the performing arts! I personally look forward to having your butterflies develop their unique talent in our garden.
Our Team
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Alina Trueba
Alina has been involved in program development for more than 15 years. She started her professional life as an attorney in Miami but has always had a passion for the arts. Alina grew up dancing ballet, jazz, flamenco and attending as many theater performances as possible. After practicing law for several years, Alina decided to shift her career goals and dedicate herself to providing cultural arts enrichment programs to students. In 2010, she co-founded a nonprofit organization offering after-school cultural arts enrichment programs, a program which grew to over 800 students in 12 schools throughout South Florida. She discovered that students were curious about different forms of arts and parents wanted a convenient way to expose their children to the arts. She created partnerships with arts cultural arts stakeholders to enhance the students' enrichment experience. Alina also created a Social & Business Skills Workshop, co-launched an educational publishing company, and started Kangowrite, a research and writing software company. Most recently, she was the Director of Academic Affairs and UKC Engagement Administrator for the College of the Florida Keys. Alina and her husband, David, reside in Key Largo, Florida.
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Our Team
Alina Trueba
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Alina has been involved in program development for more than 15 years. She started her professional life as an attorney in Miami but has always had a passion for the arts. Alina grew up dancing ballet, jazz, flamenco and attending as many theater performances as possible. After practicing law for several years, Alina decided to shift her career goals and dedicate herself to providing cultural arts enrichment programs to students. In 2010, she co-founded a nonprofit organization offering after-school cultural arts enrichment programs, a program which grew to over 800 students in 12 schools throughout South Florida. She discovered that students were curious about different forms of arts and parents wanted a convenient way to expose their children to the arts. She created partnerships with arts cultural arts stakeholders to enhance the students' enrichment experience. Alina also created a Social & Business Skills Workshop, co-launched an educational publishing company, and started Kangowrite, a research and writing software company. Most recently, she was the Director of Academic Affairs and UKC Engagement Administrator for the College of the Florida Keys. Alina and her husband, David, reside in Key Largo, Florida.
Alina has been involved in educational program development for more than 15 years. She started her professional life as an attorney in Miami but has always been passionate about the arts. Alina grew up dancing ballet, jazz, and flamenco, and attended as many theater performances as possible. After practicing law for several years, Alina shifted her career goals and launched a non-profit cultural arts program, Door to the Arts (DTTA). DTTA grew organically from 24 students to over 800 students in 12 schools throughout South Florida. She discovered that students were curious about different forms of arts and parents wanted a convenient way to expose their children to the arts. She created partnerships with community stakeholders to enhance DTTA's enrichment programs, allowing students to attend and participate in professional performances.
In addition, Alina created a Social & Business Skills Workshop, co-launched an educational publishing company, and started Kangowrite, a research and writing software company. Most recently, she was Director of Academic Affairs and UKC Engagement Administrator for the College of the Florida Keys. Alina and her husband, David, live in Key Largo, Florida.
Master Instructors are born...
Master Instructors are crucial to our mission seeking only the elite guidance for our butterflies.
We hand-pick each instructor to ensure our mission remains true and children are fed the right amount of artistic nourishment needed to allow them to grow and flourish in our garden through the four primary stages; starting with the egg (stage 1), caterpillar (stage 2), chrysalis (stage 3) and ultimately butterfly (stage 4).
Every instructor is thoroughly vetted and is required to complete VIRTUS training and a fingerprint background check.
Erika is currently pursuing a degree in nursing, but has always had a passion for teaching and a love for ART. She has been drawing since elementary school, which was when her passion for ART began. (Red thad again... never too late) ELEMENTARY. At the behest of her Art Teacher she chose (art) as an elective... the rest is destiny. Her work and passion for the children makes her a perfect addition to our garden.
Erika Medina
Master Instructor: Art
Coach Gabriel started his journey and training at the young age of nine. While in middle school he started to focus on wrestling adding to his knowledge and training. In High School Coach Gabriel competed at the National level and won multiple titles breaking records at his school. He then moved on to college football continuing his success and applying the discipline learned in the early years through his martial arts training. Since his return it has been a complete immersion into Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling focusing on sharing his vast experience to students in South Florida. He has won the highest level in both weight class and open weight divisions at all color belts in both Gi and non-Gi divisions through IBJJF circuit and plans to continue his passion all they way to black belt. As a coach he has successfully led his students to championships and multiple wrestling state championships.
Coach Gabriel Barrocas
Master Instructor Martial Arts, Jiu-Jitsu
Stefany was part of the Ballet Clasico Ballerine Company between 2016 through 2021 with whom she participated in different public and private events, competitions, ballet repertory and original contemporary creations, nationally and internationally. At her young age Stefany has demonstrated a love and passion for dance along with a desire to share her artistry with other youth seeking artistic personal growth.
Stefany Charry
Ballet, Dance and Program Manager
Viktoria (Coach Viky) has a deep passion for children, cheerleading and Coaching. The 3 C's are immediately followed by discipline and work ethic. At her young age Coach Viky has trained with the elite Top Gun for over 10 years.
Viktoria Portanova
Cheerleading Coach
Sarah Frost (Musical Theater) Master Thespian Graduate! Sarah started her musical theater journey with Miss Mitze in 2nd grade! Sarah has a passion for the arts! Singing, dancing and acting are the driving force. After graduating as a Master Thespians, Sarah could not stay away. She now serves as a volunteer at DDCES. She is in her 3rd year Apprentice to Miss Mitze and currently being vetted for a future LEGACY Instructor for our program.
Sarah Frost (ALUMNI)
Musical Theater Apprentice
Cassie has been a part of my after school enrichment since 3rd grade. As a student in Blessed Trinity Catholic School she stood out from day one. Her amazing dedication to the arts and one of the kindest souls I've ever known! Now in her high school journey, it was all HER wanting to continue in our program volunteering her time to mentor the broadway bound students in BTCS and coming aboard with administrative tasks for Tiny Butterflies Academy. Beyond proud.
Cassandra Zelaya (Cassie)
Musical Theater Apprentice
Coach Maddie was born to Cheer and lead which makes her a perfect fit for our garden. Mentoring and guiding our youth is part of our legacy. Maddie has been cheering for ten years in her school and all star teams.
Madeline (Maddie) Perez
Assisting Cheerleading Coach
Additional Resources
Media Information
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