MIAMI — A Cuban-born dancer will be the new artistic director of the Miami City Ballet, the dance company said Tuesday.

Lourdes Lopez will succeed Edward Villella, the founding artistic director who has led the troupe to international acclaim, when he steps down at the end of the 2012-2013 season.

Lopez, 53, is currently the director of the New York dance company Morphoses, which she co-founded with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. She spent 24 years dancing at the New York City Ballet, performing under the direction of renowned choreographers George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins...