July 7, 2023

When applying to universities, Gabriella Olsen wanted to leave her home state of Florida. But after touring the USF Tampa campus and its captivating dance department, she knew she had found where she truly belonged.

As if her decision had been preordained, the magic began almost immediately.

In the whirlwind of her first week, Gabriella found herself seated next to Eliiahu Vann, a dashing marketing student, at the Week of Welcome comedy show. Discovering their many shared interests, Eliiahu mustered the courage to ask for her phone number. However, Gabriella was cautious, choosing to take his instead. “If we happen to meet again on this huge campus,” she told him, “I’ll give you my number.”

That happened the very next week, this time at The Village dining hall.

“I never expected it,” says Gabriella. “It was the most beautiful surprise. Not only did I fall in love with the school and the incredible opportunity it provides, but USF gave me the love of my life, too.”

That was just the beginning. Through hard work and a sprinkle of luck, her dream of a career in dance would flourish alongside a beautiful love. Ultimately, she would also find a way to help ensure future Bulls have the same opportunities.

Eliiahu and Gabriella, both first-generation college students on scholarships, quickly bonded. Only a couple months after their dining hall encounter, Eliiahu brought her home to meet his family. Despite having ambitious study schedules with endless hours of self-training, they always made time for each other, meeting for quick meals and walking hand-in-hand around campus. But love was not the only magic that graced Gabriella’s life.

Gabriella vividly remembers the day when USF President Judy Genshaft attended the Fall Dance Showcase. Genshaft was so moved by the students’ performances, she announced on the spot, that she would personally give the five dancers attending the Paris Spring Semester Abroad $5,000 each to help offset the costs of the program. Overwhelmed with emotion, Gabriella couldn't contain her tears.

“President Genshaft really believed in us,” Gabriella says. “She saw how determined we were as dancers and encouraged us to follow our dreams.”

Indeed, Gabriella’s talents and passion for dance shone through during her semester in Paris. Embracing the program's rigorous standards and the tutelage of over 20 instructors, she transcended her comfort zone and discovered new depths in her relationship with Eliiahu, who cheerfully supported her from across the globe.

“He could have been hanging out with his buddies and not caring to pick up the phone, but he bwas always there for me,” she says. “It just came very naturally how he could be the one for me.”

Study abroad taught Gabriella that she could thrive in the international dance arena, leading her to further remarkable opportunities. Notably, Professor Jeanne Travers recognized her tenacity and invited her to partake in international dance festivals. Alongside Travers and fellow Bulls, Gabriella voyaged across the world, from Trinidad and Tobago to Seoul, South Korea, bewitching audiences with her performances while continuing to evolve as an artist.

Having earned her bachelor's degree in dance/choreography in 2017, Gabriella's magical journey continued. She and Eliiahu tied the knot, solidifying their love amidst a celebration filled with joy and twirling dance moves. Recently, Gabriella opened her own business — Zero Gravity Dance Studio — in Fort Myers, Florida.

The name Zero Gravity carries a profound meaning for Gabriella. It symbolizes defying the weight that holds all of us down, allowing their dreams to soar to celestial heights.

“I want our dancers to know they can defy the odds and achieve anything they put their heart, mind and soul into,” Gabriella says.

Through her studio, she is passing the torch to the next generation of young dancers by fostering a community of positivity. Here, students learn not only the essentials of dance but also important transferable skills, like multitasking, setting priorities and being a team player while staying true to their own unique identities.

Reflecting on her journey, Gabriella realized that her focus had shifted from pursuing her own performing career to uplifting and guiding the next generation. The stage no longer held the same allure as witnessing her students grow into their best selves.

But the magic didn't end there. Just when she thought it couldn’t get any better, her husband and his brother, Mosheh, both USF grads, showed her the way.

“We received full-ride scholarships that made our college dream possible,” says Eliiahu. “The moment we had the means to do that for somebody else, we both just felt really compelled to pay it forward and have that same impact on other people.”

The Vann Brothers Beating Adversity Scholarship was established in 2019, providing invaluable opportunities for generations to come at the Muma College of Business.

“Every little bit counts, especially when you come from humble beginnings,” Eliiahu says.

In 2022, Gabriella followed his lead by creating the Zero Gravity Fund for USF Dance. “Money may come and go, but the opportunities presented by a college education are once-in-a- lifetime,” she says.

Next, the couple plan to create a scholarship under both their names. They envision a future where countless students can chase their dreams with the support they need, radiating the magic of possibility. Those dreamers may include their own little girl, Kehlani, who turned 1 in June. Gabriella playfully envisions tiny dance shoes adorning her daughter's feet, and perhaps, a future Bull.

In their dance of love and opportunity, Gabriella and Eliiahu have discovered that the true magic lies not in fleeting moments but in the ability to inspire and uplift others. With each step they take, they leave behind a trail of possibilities, paving the way for generations of dancers and dreamers to twirl, leap, and reach for the stars.