In an electrifying announcement, Miami City Ballet shares the news that Lourdes Lopez, the Cuban-born and Miami-raised former ballerina with New York City Ballet, has been named successor to Edward Villella, the company’s founding artistic director who is soon to retire.

Ms. Lopez’s post will commence in Miami City Ballet’s 2013-14 season.

Mr. Villella’s immense achievement in establishing a world-class ballet company in an unlikely outpost remains one of American ballet’s greatest success stories. MCB celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010...