Message From Edward Villella To Supporters Of Miami City Ballet

TO MIAMI CITY BALLET DONOR COMMUNITY:I am writing to thank you for your dedicated support and unwavering commitment to Miami City Ballet. Through your efforts, we have built an internationally acclaimed brand of ballet that is also a local treasure for the entire South Florida community to take pride in and enjoy. While we can stand on the accolades of the past, we are also ready to build a strong future.That is why I have decided that with the leadership transition plan well underway, it is time for me to leave the company.I commend the board for its years of support, stewardship and leadership. Through the efforts of their succession planning, I am satisfied that the ballet’s future has been secured. Lourdes Lopez is ready to begin work immediately on the highly anticipated Paul Taylor, Liam Scarlett and George Balanchine performances scheduled for the opening of the 2012-2013 season. I am confident it will be brilliant.Our students will not only benefit from Lourdes’ talents, but many of the company’s finest former dancers, trained right here at Miami City Ballet, now serve as teachers at our world-class ballet school. In addition, the board has brought in nationally recognized arts management expert Michael Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to work with Lourdes to create plans that will be of benefit to all donors. Without the important role you as donors serve, the ballet’s ability to fulfill its mission would be diminished. I offer one last heartfelt thank you for your years of support of myself and the ballet. Your devotion to the company enabled us to grow to world acclaim, and will be even more integral as Miami City Ballet aspires toward its next great milestone to solidify its place as one of the world’s great ballets.All in all, my time here in Miami has been life changing. It seems like only yesterday when Toby Lerner Ansin first reached out to me to explore the bold idea of creating a world-class ballet company. Thank you Toby for your vision, and I thank each and every one of you for the critical role you have played and will continue to play in bringing the vision to life. It has been my honor to be part of this community.Thank you for your support,Edward Villella