American Academy Announces 2009 Class Of Fellows And Foreign Honorary Members. New Members Include Edward Villella

The American Academy of Arts & Sciences recently announced the election of leaders in the sciences, the humanities and the arts, business, public affairs, and the nonprofit sector. The 212 new Fellows and 19 Foreign Honorary Members join one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies and a center for independent policy research.Among those elected this year are Edward Villella, Founding Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of Miami City Ballet. Villella was a star principal dancer at New York City Ballet under George Balanchine in the late 1950s through the early 1970s. 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 of his achievements, President Clinton presented Mr. Villella with the 1997 National Medal of Arts.