CHAIRMAN OF THE FACULTY -- Edward Villella
Edward Villella - (ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CEO, MIAMI CITY BALLET) - America’s most celebrated male dancer, was born in Bayside, New York, and entered the School of American Ballet at age 10 but interrupted his dance training to complete academic studies. A graduate of the New York Maritime Academy, he obtained a B.S. in marine transportation, lettered in baseball, and was a championship boxer. As a principal dancer for New York City Ballet, he originated many roles in the company repertoire, among them Tarantella, the "Rubies" section of Jewels and the role of Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mr. Villella was the only American, ever, to be asked to dance an encore at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. He danced for President Kennedy’s inaugural and danced for Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford. Since 1986, he has focused his talent, his intelligence, and his energy on creating and maintaining a world-famous ballet company in South Florida. In recognition for his achievements, President Clinton presented Villella with the 1997 National Medal of Arts. Also in 1997, he was named a Kennedy Center Honoree, and was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. In 2009, he was elected to the presigious American Academy of Arts & Sciences. To read Edward Villella's full bio, click here.

SCHOOL ADVISOR

Roma Sosenko - (PRINCIPAL BALLET MISTRESS, MIAMI CITY BALLET) a former soloist with New York City Ballet, Ms. Sosenko is responsible for rehearsing the many ballets Miami City Ballet dancers perform during the season. Ms. Sosenko taught for Miami City Ballet School in both the winter and summer programs. During her career as a dancer, Ms. Sosenko danced many lead roles for Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine.