Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaby Papillon.
Gaby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began at a dance studio when I was very young. I trained at Dance Unlimited and fell in love with movement early on, but even then, I knew I wanted more than just dance. When I was ten years old, my elementary school announced they would be putting on a Christmas production. I auditioned and was cast as Mrs. Claus. In that moment, I completely fell in love with theatre, even though I didn’t fully understand what it was yet.
I continued dancing throughout middle school at Arvida, but felt like something was missing. In the seventh grade, I auditioned for the theatre troupe–and that’s where everything clicked. I had finally found my passion. I not only fell in love with musical theatre, but I also discovered how much I loved choreographing. An opportunity presented itself when my theatre teacher was on maternity leave and I unexpectedly found myself stepping into leadership roles. Although I had no formal training, I found myself directing, choreographing, and helping bring the show to life with my vision. At 13 years old, I choreographed an entire production of Cinderella while also playing the Fairy Godmother, which was a defining moment for me.
This experience inspired me to audition for Miami Arts Studio’s musical theatre program at the very last minute. I was convinced it was out of reach and told myself auditioning was “just for fun.” To my surprise, I was accepted, and that moment truly kickstarted everything. At Miami Arts Studio, I trained under incredible educators including Nicole Quintana, Osvaldo Quintana, Rey Bode, Yamarys Salomon, and Justine Rosales. This is where I received my formal training in musical theatre, acting, singing, and dance. My passion for theatre grew tenfold as I expanded my repertoire, participating in productions such as Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Rent, and Forbidden Broadway.
In 2020, my journey took an unexpected turn when COVID sent us home. Our musical theatre program suddenly existed online, and while challenging, it ignited a different passion in me. I was assigned to direct a virtual musical piece, and through that process, I rediscovered how much I loved teaching, directing, and choreographing. I met with classmates over Zoom, coached them through their performances, and even learned how to edit music–skills that would become incredibly important later.
When we returned to school, we were still navigating the effects of COVID, rehearsing and performing while wearing clear masks. Despite the challenges, we continued to compete, and our work was recognized with two Top Honors awards from State Competition. During my senior year, we began rehearsing over the summer after learning we would be piloting the high school production of On Your Feet!: The Story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan. I had the opportunity to tour the show at Morsani Hall in Tampa in front of over 2,600 people. We later performed the show again in Miami for a four-night run, where Gloria and Emilio Estefan came to see it themselves and share their story with us. My performance in the show as a lead dancer led me to being selected to dance alongside Gloria Estefan on CNN for her Fourth of July special.
Throughout high school, I realized that while I loved performing, I equally loved teaching and helping others. I was always the organized one, helping friends catch up on missed rehearsals and feeling just as excited to teach as I was to perform. After graduating, I knew I wanted to continue in theatre and education, but the traditional path didn’t feel right for me. So, I created my own path. I applied to Florida International University as an education major with a minor in dance. While completing my degree, I was hired at Hialeah Gardens High School, where I gained hands-on experience in classroom management, directing, and working behind the scenes of productions.
At just 18 years old, I choreographed High School Musical, and my first large-group competition piece, “Show Me Love” from & Juliet, which received a Top Honors award. The following year, I choreographed The Addams Family. Soon after, I was hired to work at Miami Arts Studio @ Zelda Glazer and Lourdes Academy simultaneously. At Miami Arts Studio, I choreographed an original one-act titled Totally Geek by Nicole Quintana and later choreographed In the Heights. For Lourdes Academy, I choreographed On Your Feet! This was a full-circle moment, as I found myself with the honor of bringing my own vision to the show that changed my life in high school. Gloria and Emilio Estefan once again came to see the production, and both shows sold out every night.
Following that success, I began working with Royal Studios Miami, starting with a summer master class series where I taught choreography from shows like Hairspray, In the Heights, Wicked, Burlesque, and Six. With sessions that were consistently over-capacity, I was overjoyed to see how my passion for dance was shared with my students. When the school year began, I officially joined Royal Studios Miami as a faculty member, teaching conservatory classes for both younger students and high schoolers, as well as recreational musical theatre classes for all ages. This allowed me to work with students ranging from ages 7 to 19, further expanding my perspective as an educator.
Today, I feel incredibly grateful to be doing what I love. Teaching, choreographing, and creating spaces where students feel inspired, supported, and seen. Watching young artists grow into confident performers and humans has been the most rewarding part of my journey. As I prepare to graduate this April with my bachelor’s degree, my dream is to continue learning, growing, and working at a school with a strong musical theatre program. Being able to influence the next generation through my love for musical theatre is what drives me every day, and I’m excited to see where this journey continues to take me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has played a role in shaping who I am today as a teacher and choreographer.
One of the biggest learning curves was starting so young. I began teaching and choreographing at 18, often working with high schoolers and seniors who were sometimes the same age as me. While that closeness helped me understand my students on a deeper level, it also meant I had to quickly learn how to establish authority, manage a classroom, and set clear boundaries between being relatable and being their teacher. Finding that balance was challenging, but incredibly important to my growth.
At the same time, I was a full-time college student while working at multiple schools. Balancing coursework, rehearsals, long commutes, and late nights required discipline and constant time management. Today, I’m 21 years old, but those early challenges pushed me to grow quickly and confidently. They prepared me to lead with empathy, structure, and purpose—and I’m grateful for every step of the journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in teaching musical theatre dance and performance, blending multiple dance styles, varying levels of training, and storytelling into every piece of choreography. Whether I’m working with younger students just discovering theatre or high schoolers preparing for full-scale productions, my goal is always to help them grow not only as performers, but as confident, well-rounded individuals. I’m known for my energy, organization, and my ability to connect with students in a meaningful way. Because I began teaching at a young age, I bring a level of empathy and understanding that allows students to feel seen and heard, while still maintaining high expectations and structure. I pride myself on creating environments where students feel safe to take risks, work hard, and believe in themselves. What I’m most proud of is watching my students gain confidence in dance. I’ve had countless students walk into my class telling me, “I can’t dance.” One of my greatest strengths is being able to pinpoint each student’s individual strengths and choreograph specifically for them. My focus isn’t on creating choreography for myself, but on making my dancers look and feel their best. Over time, I get to watch self-doubt turn into confidence, and confidence turn into a genuine love for dance. Seeing students leave my class believing in themselves and using dance as a creative outlet is the most rewarding part of my work. Musical theatre has always been more than a stage to me. It’s a space for growth, joy, and self-discovery, and I’m deeply passionate about passing that love on to the next generation.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepswithgaby
Image Credits
Jaiden Bayron
