Dear Friends, 

It is an incredible honor to step into the role of Artistic Director at Miami City Ballet, especially during such a meaningful moment: our 40th Anniversary Season. 

Forty years is more than a milestone—it’s a celebration of all the people, passion, and artistry that have brought us to this point. It’s a time to reflect on our remarkable history, to honor the visionaries who built this company, and to step boldly into a vibrant new chapter. 

Miami is a city like no other—constantly evolving, full of energy and possibility—and Miami City Ballet is proud to be part of that heartbeat. Right now, the spirit of this city, the creative energy of this company, and the promise of this moment are aligning in a way that feels truly special. My hope is to build on that momentum and continue shaping MCB as a vital cultural force—not just in Miami, but far beyond. 

This season is filled with moments I can’t wait to share with you. We open with a dynamic program from one of my closest collaborators, Justin Peck. Two of the works were created especially for MCB, making this a deeply personal and powerful way to launch the season. Justin represents the future of ballet, and it’s a joy to give him this stage. 

At the same time, we celebrate the giants of our art form—Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Alonzo King, José Limón, Christopher Wheeldon—and of course, the timeless genius of George Balanchine, with masterpieces like Serenade and Jewels. 

We also pay tribute to someone whose vision made all of this possible: Toby Lerner Ansin. Her passion and commitment gave birth to this company and has sustained it for four decades. To honor her 85th birthday, we’ve commissioned a world premiere from Alexei Ratmansky—a fitting tribute to a woman who has inspired growth, nurtured creativity, and propelled MCB to new heights. 

And of course, this celebration wouldn’t be complete without you—our audience, our supporters, our community. This season is a thank-you to all who have walked this journey with us, and a warm welcome to those just joining us. I can’t wait to meet you, to hear your stories, and to dream together about what’s next. 

Here’s to honoring the past, embracing the present, and imagining a bold future for dance in Miami. 

See you in the theater,
Gonzalo Garcia
Miami City Ballet Artistic Director

CARMEN

Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Music by Georges Bizet 
Arranged and with New Music by Juan Pablo Acosta 
Costume Design by Mark Eric
Set and Lighting Design by Christopher Ash
Associate Lighting Designer Solomon Weisbard
Artistic Associate Nancy Meckler

This reimagined version of Carmen is a timeless tale of passion, freedom, and fate with a contemporary twist. The character of Carmen is loosely based on Molly Bloom, also known as the “Poker Princess”, who organized illicit underground poker games. The story explores the intense and often destructive forces that shape our lives, set against a backdrop of Bizet’s iconic music with additional music by Juan Pablo Acosta. Throughout the performance, the themes of autonomy versus possession, fate versus free will, and the destructive nature of obsession are explored through dynamic choreography and powerful symbolism. Carmen’s story is a narrative of a woman’s struggle to maintain her unapologetic independence in a world that seeks to control her.

The World Premiere of Carmen is generously sponsored by Larry Herbert, and by David Herro and Jay Franke.

Music Credits

Orchestrator: Eduardo Díez
Additional Orchestrators: Antoni Medellín and Ricardo Matute

Scenic Credits
Scenic Construction by F&D Scene Changes

Costume Credits

Mio Design: Fate's skull, horns, and neck piece, Carmen's horns, Flowers headpieces, and gold scroll masks
Tommy Cobau Millinery: Carmen's Cordoba hat, Masquerade headpieces, and Guard hats
Bethany Joy Costumes: Carmen's bodice, Flower costumes, and Principal men costumes
Gorgeous by Gorgeous, Eric Gorsuch: Carmen's stretch garments
Dyenamix: Printing and dye work for Carmen, Micaela, Flowers
Wing and Weft: Gloves
International Pleating: Pleating
Top Hat Imagewear NYC: Guard uniforms, Rose Chorus high waist pants and bolero vests

Miami City Ballet Wardrobe Team:
Costume construction, tailoring, and finishing for Carmen. With special thanks to Carrie Cochran Cabrera and the MCB Costume Department for their artistry and dedication.

* indicates Miami City Ballet School Alumni

LEADERSHIP

Gonzalo Garcia, Artistic Director & MCBS Chair

Toby Lerner Ansin, Founder

Edward Villella, Founding Artistic Director

ARTISTIC 

Roma Sosenko, Principal Rehearsal Director

Joan Latham, Rehearsal Director

Arnold Quintane, Rehearsal Director

Tricia Albertson, Rehearsal Director

Jessica Perez, Company Manager

Gary Sheldon, Principal Conductor and Music Director

Francisco Rennó, Company Pianist

Leana Reisman, Company Class Accompanist

Dr. Lily McCrossin, PT, DPT, Lead Physical Therapist

PRODUCTION 

John Hall, General Manager

Kelly Brown, Production Stage Manager

Bailey Kirk, Assistant Stage Manager

Brian Harris, Head Carpenter

Nicanor Smith, Properties Master

Shane Cassidy, Head Electrician

Elvin Thomas, Assistant Electrician

Sean M. Deceunick, Sound Engineer

James Sampedro, Assistant Carpenter/Flyman

Gary Darling, Properties Assistant

Wilmer Arellano, Projection Operator

In memorium Richard Carter

WARDORBE

Carrie Cochran, Wardrobe Manager

Ricardo Asturias, Wardrobe Master

Natalie Axley, Wardrobe Mistress

Ibis Hernandez, School Wardrobe Mistress

Julia Villalobos & Alberto Fages, Stitchers

Carol Raskin, Hair & Makeup Artist

Helen Cave, Shoe Inventory Assistant

In memorium Jennifer Conrad

DEVELOPMENT 

Dena Liston, Senior Director of Development

Orene Tross-Harris, Senior Director, Major Gifts

Michele Scanlan, Director of Foundation and Government Relations

Lee Eachus, Manager of Foundation and Government Relations

Heather Rush, Director of Special Events

Masha Enriquez, Manager of Special Events 

Samantha Hurwitch, Associate Director of Individual Giving – Palm Beach

Giana Ruffa, Development Executive Assistant

MARKETING, TICKETING & AUDIENCE SERVICES

Chantell Ghosh, Chief Marketing Officer

Mary Landreth, Senior Director, Business Development

Anne Mortomore, Director of Marketing, Digital and Content

Joshua Wickard, Director of Audience and Ticketing Services

Ali Castro, Senior Manager, Content and Creative Services

Mina Rhee, Senior Production Designer

Eden Cohen, Marketing & PR Coordinator

Katharine Baines, Manager Ticketing Operations

Adam Garner, Associate Coordinator, Audience Services and Ticketing

Ashley Arvizu, Anthony De Peña, Jade Emmanuel, Randy Fumero, Sofia Osorio, Jennifer Parra | Audience Services Representatives

Billy Zavelson/Richard Kornberg & Associates, General Press Representation

Ron Roberts, Creative Direction Consultant

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

Brenda Alba, Director of Community Engagement

Norma Fuisting, Community Dance Education Programs Manager

Bianca Guirado, Community Engagement Coordinator

Kassie Abreu, Matthew Aubeuf, Efrain Chibas, Bradley Dunlap, Nuria Martinez, Rilanty Septiantari, Rae Wilcoxson, Tamia Williams | Arts in Education Teaching Program: Teaching Artists and Musicians

FINANCE AND OPERATIONS 

Ainsworth Geddes, Chief Financial Officer

Marisa Rios-Lopez, Payroll Manager

Carlos Lopez, Finance and Donor Systems Manager

John Colon, Staff Accountant

Lina Aguirre, Senior Director of Human Resources

Joy Stanfield, Human Resources Assistant and Office Manager 

Amanda Del Cerro, Board and Executive Relations Assistant

MIAMI CITY BALLET SCHOOL 

Arantxa Ochoa, School Artistic Director

Cameron Basden, School Managing Director

Jessica Bork, School Operations Manager

Manon Maher, Pre-Professional Division Manager

Vanessa Haro, School Programs Manager

Lyndall Vickers, Housing Manager

Ana Arledge, Residential Coordinator

Carmen Ramos, Rachel Abelenda | Front Desk Receptionists

Ana Arledge, Kareen Pauld Camargo, Katia Carranza, Alexander Iziliaev, Claudia Kuwana,  Michaela Mann, Rosa Mercedes, Maribel Modrono, Herman Payne, Renato Penteado, Africa Ramirez, Rilanty Septiantari, Chase Swatosh, Durante Verzola, Leslie Young| Permanent Faculty

Marianela Castro, Juvenal Correa-Salas, Gladys Fariñas, Vivian Gonzalez, Yraima Menendez, Teresa Valdivia | Pianists

PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS 

Lisa Berg, Esq. — Stearns Weaver Miller, et al, P.A. Employment and Labor Law

Glenn Rissman, Esq. — Stearns Weaver Miller, et al, P.A. Immigration Law

Robbins and Moroney, P.A. Auditor

MEDICAL PROVIDERS

Dr. Lily McCrossin, PT, DPT, Lead Physical Therapist

Dr. Kathleen Davenport, MD, Company Physician

Dr. Steven David Steinlauf, MD, Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Specialist 

Alexis Somoano, LMT, Jill Davidson, LMT, Massage Therapists

Dr. Bethany Cook, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, Physical Therapist

Chase Swatosh, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Strength and Conditioning

Maria Vallasciani MS, RDN, LD, RN, CNSC, IBCLC, CSSD, Dietitian

Dr. Scott Leydig, Psy. D. Sport Psychologist

Jeffrey Davis, Chair

Charles Adelman
Jill E. Braufman
Veronica de Zayas, Esq.
Alex DiLeonardo
Robert Friezo
Gonzalo Garcia, Ex Officio
Dan Gelber, Former Mayor of Miami Beach
Kathy Guttman
Bruce Halpryn, Vice Chair
Maria Hernandez, Ex Officio
Kristi Jernigan
Susan D. Kronick
Allen London
Manny Marquez, Ex Officio
Saul Sanders, Treasurer
Michael Schultz
J. Randall Waterfield

Jeffrey Davis, Chair

Charles Adelman
Jill E. Braufman
Veronica de Zayas, Esq.
Alex DiLeonardo
Robert Friezo
Gonzalo Garcia, Ex Officio
Dan Gelber, Former Mayor of Miami Beach
Kathy Guttman
Bruce Halpryn, Vice Chair
Maria Hernandez, Ex Officio
Kristi Jernigan
Susan D. Kronick
Allen London
Manny Marquez, Ex Officio
Saul Sanders, Treasurer
Michael Schultz
J. Randall Waterfield

Sara Minskoff Allan
Toby Lerner Ansin, Founder
Robert Chaskes
Lester Coney
Philip DeBoer
Susan Fox-Rosellini, Past Chair
James Freeze
Dini Golden
Janine Gordon
Elissa Kramer
Sara Solomon
Barbara Sullivan
Elizabeth “Zibby” Tozer
John Vogelstein
Suzy Wahba
Gail Wasserman
Charmaine Waterfield
Fehmi Zeko
Diana S.C. Zeydel

Ana-Marie Codina, Past Chair
Mike Eidson, Past Chair
Ron Esserman*, Past Chair
Robert Gottlieb*
Jacqueline Kott*
R. Kirk Landon*
Gerri LeBow*
Rhoda Levitt, Past Chair
Rita Stein*
Mark Steinberg*, Past Chair

*Deceased

Major funding for Miami City Ballet provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Arison Arts Foundation, and The Ansin Foundation. Miami-Dade County support provided by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, with support from the City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council, and the Miami Beach Mayor and City Commissioners. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has been a generous supporter of Miami City Ballet with over $17.9 million in cumulative giving since the company’s founding.