Edward Villella Leaving Miami City Ballet

[Ballet Fanatique]

Just announced today.

 

http://miamicityballet.org/news.php?NewsID=231

 

Our exposure was only through the summer programs, but he will be missed.

[vagansmom]

Wow, that's huge news. I wish Mr. Villella the very best.

[MJ]

Mr. Villella has built an incredible company, he leaves with a legacy that will last generations.

[mmm]

Is he retiring or going somewhere else?

[Ballet Fanatique]

The Miami Herald article stating that he is retiring.

[Mobadt]

That is strange. the MCB press release says ' Villella is leaving to continue his professional life.'

 

Guess we will have to see how it all plays out!

[Mel Johnson]

That works out to "He'll be 75. He's entitled to do what he wants to do."

[proudofpeanut]

He's still having plenty of fun with his company. Check this out:

 

http://www.miamicityballet.org/blog/2011/0...five-positions/

 

[swanchat]

Very cool! Just goes to show MCB can make watching paint dry interesting! I just can't imagine MCB without Mr. Villella! He's definitely made his mark on Miami....

[Bloch Ballerina]

Anyone know who will be taking his place?

[Hans]

The articles I've read state that MCB is expected to name Villella's replacement this spring. Villella will remain Artistic Director till April 2013.

[Lisa23164]

http://thedaisycolumn.com/home/?p=2958

[LoveMyJob]

This whole situation breaks my heart. As a parent of a dancer who was accepted to Miami City Ballet's SI with a scholarship, I have gone back and forth on whether to send him for perhaps the last opportunity to study with a legend or to not go, because we can't afford to "waste" a summer with drama. Villella is a legend in the ballet world and to treat this man with any disrespect makes me angry.

 

As a patron of the arts, I would be reluctant to support the company without his vision and in tough economic times this should be a strong consideration for the board. It seems to me there has to be a better way to get a transition plan in place without destroying this company!

[gingerly]

Does anyone really know WHY he is leaving? I've heard everyone from a board recommendation that he retire due to age, to some crazy power-struggle drama which resulted in forced resignation . . . It's a little weird.

[dancemaven]

There are now several 'stories', theories, and official statements in the various media links posted in this thread. Anything else is nothing but and speculation---something we try not to engage in here on BT4D.