History of the Miami Ballet
The Miami City Ballet was founded in 1985 by philanthropist Toby Lerner Ansin. Though past attempts had failed, Ansin recognized the absence of a professional ballet company in South Florida. Ansin brought together a founding board and recruited Edward Villella, who had been a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet. Originally, the company focused on neoclassical ballet ensembles, which gave them access to rehearse at the Lincoln Road Mall in Miami Beach. Community leaders and local patrons helped the company take off and open office spaces. The company started with only 19 dancers, all stemming from vigorous, diverse training. Their first performance was a success with a sold-out audience on October 17, 1986, at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.
George Balanchine's: The Nutcracker, "Waltz of the Snowflakes"
Today it is one of the nation’s leading ballet companies and has earned itself international recognition. Lourdes Lopez has been the artistic director of the company since 2012 and has successfully grown the company while keeping it strongly tied to the home community of South Florida. The Miami City Ballet prides itself on performing not only the traditional classics but also incorporating more modern, innovative work. Despite The Nutcracker being the annual production the company is known for, they perform a wide array of other classics, including Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet. The company has also worked alongside renowned choreographers George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, and Jerome Robbins.
The Miami City Ballet proves that internationally renowned performing arts is not only limited to New York or Paris. The company makes world-class ballet accessible to the South Florida community and enriches the arts culture. Miami is often known for its beaches, nightlife, and street art, and its performing arts often go underappreciated. Miami might not be the place you think of when you are looking for ballet, but the Adrienne Arsht Center has been a pillar of the community for decades.
Fall Mix Cover Art: David Hockney
The Fall Mix
This coming Fall 2026, the Miami City Ballet will be opening its 26/27 Season with a world premiere combining jazz, elegance, and classical ballet. The program will begin with George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante (1956), which is an illustration of his neoclassical style and technicality. Secondly, the program will debut a world premiere by Miami City Ballet Principal Dancer Patricia Delgado, New Delgado (2026). Finally, the program will conclude with the company’s first performance of Jerome Robbins’ work N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz (1958). The program will span from October 16-25, 2026. You can see the performance for yourself at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, FL, or the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Learn more on their website.