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
Resplendent Fantasy
Choreography by Amy Hall Garner
Piano Quintet: 3rd Movement by Jonathan Dove*
Krunk by Komitas
Infinite Ocean: VI by Oliver Davis**
Lighting Design by Brandon Stirling Baker
Costume Design by Susan Roemer
Resplendent Fantasy honors the satisfying simplicity of the marriage of movement and music. It is a sumptuous celebration. The dance pulls from classical forms, melding the tradition of ballet with the expression of modern dance and uses the nuance of the musical score to push stylistic boundaries. It is the music that moves us, both physically and emotionally. Resplendent Fantasy is inspired by the shared, embodied experience of music’s unique ability to evoke powerful emotion. We “see the music” and “hear the dance” (George Balanchine).
*Licensed by arrangement with C. F. Peters Corporation, New York
**Presented under license from G. Schirmer Inc. and Associated Music Publishers, copyright owners.
Chaconne
Choreography by José Limón
Music by J.S. Bach*
Staged by Kurt Douglas
Lighting by Mark Stanley
The Chaconne as a dance form originated in New Spain, now Mexico, as a robust and raucous dance. Bach employed the strict musical form of the Chaconne but enriched it with powerful emotional implications. Mr. Limón has tried to capture in his dance both the formal austerity and the profound feeling of the music.
Miami City Ballet's performance of José Limón's Chaconne is generously underwritten by Mark Steinberg and Dennis Edward.
*Chaconne from Partita #2 in D Minor for Unaccompanied Violin
©1996, José Limón Dance Foundation. This performance of CHACONNE, a Limónsm Dance, is presented by arrangement with the José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. and has been produced in accordance with the Limón Style℠ and Limón Technique℠ service standards established by the José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. Limón℠ , Limón style℠ and Limón Technique℠ are trade and service marks of the José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. ®
The Moor’s Pavane
VARIATIONS ON THE THEME OF OTHELLO
Choreography by José Limón
Music by Henry Purcell*
Original Lighting by Tom Skelton
Lighting by John Hall
Though subtitled "Variations on the theme of Othello", this dance is not intended as a choreographic version of Shakespeare's play. In the form of a pavane and other dances of the high Renaissance, the legend is told of the hapless Moor, his wrongfully suspected wife, the Moor's treacherous friend and his wife. The four characters portray the tragedy of Everyman, and the ballet is, therefore, timeless in its implications. This work has been cited by critics the world over as José Limón's "masterpiece.”
First performed August 17, 1949 at the Connecticut College American Dance Festival by the José Limón Dance Company
*By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., o/b/o G. Ricordi & Co.. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
©1996, José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. These performances of The Moor’s Pavane, a Limónsm Dance, are presented by arrangement with the José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. and has been produced in accordance with the Limón Stylesm and Limón Techniquesm service standards established by The José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. Limónsm, Limón Stylesm and Limón Techniquesm are trade and service marks of The José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. ®
FOLLOWING THE SUBTLE CURRENT UPSTREAM
Choreography by Alonzo King
Music by Zakir Hussain, Miguel Frasconi, & Miriam Makeba
Costume Design by Robert Rosenwasser
Original Lighting Design by Axel Morganthaler
Lighting Design by Al Crawford
Staged by Meredith Webster
The question at the center of Following the Subtle Current Upstream is how do we return to joy?
Alonzo King’s work investigates deeply rooted affinities between Western and Eastern classical forms, elemental materials, the natural world, and the human spirit. Described by King as “a piece about how to return to joy,” Following the Subtle Current Upstream mirrors life’s boisterous waves and reminds us that everything in nature seeks to return to its source. King’s movement—abstract but steeped in meaning—sets the dancers in constant flow to an eclectic score by Zakir Hussain, Miguel Frasconi, and Miriam Makeba.
Source: alvinailey.org
Alonzo King- Choreographer, Co-Founder & Artistic Director LINES Ballet
Alonzo King has been called a visionary choreographer, who is altering the way we look and think about movement. King calls his works ‘thought structures’, created by the manipulation of energies that exist in matter through laws, which govern the shapes and movement directions of everything that exists. Named as a choreographer with ”astonishing originality” by the New York Times, Alonzo King LINES Ballet has been guided by his unique artistic vision since 1982.
King has works in the repertories of the world’s leading ballet and modern companies and has collaborated with distinguished visual artists, musicians and composers across the globe. His work has been recognized for its impact on the cultural fabric of the company’s home in San Francisco, as well as internationally by the dance world’s most prestigious institutions.
Named a Master of Choreography by the Kennedy Center in 2005, King is the recipient of the NEA Choreographer’s Fellowship, the Jacob’s Pillow Creativity Award, the US Artist Award in Dance, NY Bessie Award, and the National Dance Project’s Residency and Touring Awards. In 2015 he received the Doris Duke Artist Award in recognition of his ongoing contributions to the advancement of contemporary dance. Joining historic icons in the field, King was named one of America’s “Irreplaceable Dance Treasures” by the Dance Heritage Coalition. He is a former San Francisco commissioner, and a writer and lecturer on humanity and art. Inducted into the California Hall of Fame, King holds an honorary Doctorate from Dominican University, California Institute of the Arts, and The Juilliard School.
* 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
Mark Wasserman, Properties Assistant
In memoriam 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 memoriam 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
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.
