About
Greta Rolandi Fernicola is a versatile Italian dancer, choreographer, and educator known for her dynamic artistry and refined technical background in both classical and contemporary dance.
Originally from Genoa, Italy, she began her formal dance training at the age of four at Il Gatto Danzante under , later continuing her studies at La Nuova Alacritas with . Her dedication led her to Milan, where she completed five years of intensive classical training at the Accademia Ucraina di Balletto, directed . She further expanded her artistic voice studying modern, contemporary, and commercial dance at M.A.S. (Music, Arts & Show).
In 2018, Greta moved to New York City after being accepted into the Independent Program at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She later joined Ailey’s Certificate Program, where she trained extensively in ballet, Horton, Graham, Limón, jazz, improvisation, composition, and repertory, graduating in 2022. During this time, she collaborated with international choreographers and performed in a variety of showcase and repertory works that shaped her distinctive movement style.
Greta is the Founder and CEO of GRF Dance NYC, an expanding artistic platform offering summer intensives, workshops, choreography, private coaching, and professional training programs throughout New York City and Long Island. Established in 2025, the GRF Summer Intensive provides dancers with a comprehensive experience including ballet, contemporary, repertory creation, improvisation, and conditioning, alongside renowned guest artists.
As an educator, Greta teaches ballet, contemporary, conditioning, and choreography at SHA while also serving as a sought-after guest teacher across New York and Long Island. Her teaching emphasizes strong technical foundations, alignment, musicality, artistry, and the development of disciplined, confident dancers.
Her choreographic work includes competitive solos, duets, trios, repertory pieces, and creative direction for showcases and productions. Many of her students have received recognition for their precision, expressiveness, and performance quality under her mentorship.
Greta’s performance experience spans Europe and the United States, where she has participated in festivals, showcases, and collaborative projects with both emerging and established artists.
Committed to lifelong artistic growth, Greta continues to develop new creative initiatives through GRF Dance NYC, with the mission of inspiring dancers through passion, discipline, connection, and the transformative power of movement.
Philosophy
Greta’s approach to dance is rooted in the belief that strong technique is the foundation for true artistic freedom. She guides dancers to develop discipline, awareness, and clarity of movement while encouraging individuality and emotional authenticity.
Her training emphasizes alignment, musicality, coordination, and strength, allowing dancers to move with confidence and purpose. Greta believes that artistry is not added after technique is mastered, but cultivated simultaneously through intention, curiosity, and connection to the music.
She fosters an environment where dancers are challenged, supported, and inspired to grow beyond their limits, building not only skilled performers but thoughtful, resilient artists.
Teaching & Choreography
As an educator and choreographer, Greta is dedicated to developing versatile dancers prepared for both the professional world and personal artistic growth. Her classes integrate classical structure with contemporary exploration, focusing on precision, dynamics, and expressive storytelling.
Her choreographic process is collaborative and human-centered. She works closely with dancers to understand their strengths, refine their technical execution, and shape movement that is both physically intelligent and emotionally compelling.
Through teaching and creation, Greta aims to cultivate dancers who are not only technically strong, but also confident, musical, and deeply connected to their movement.