A few years later, Celli moved back to Italy, where he studied dance with Rafaele Grassi and made hi s Italian debut in a revival of "Excelsior" at Milan's Teatro dal Verme, which led to a contract with the Teatro alla Scala.
A few years later, Celli moved back to Italy, where he began formal ballet training with with Rafaele Grassi, the teacher of Rosina Galli. He made his Italian debut in a revival of Manzotti's spectacular "Excelsior" at Milan's Teatro dal Verme, which led to a contract with the Teatro alla Scala.