Miami City Ballet Benefit

Photography by Seth Browarnik on May 27th, 2011 in Arts, Parties

Edward Villella & Jerry Libbin

Miami Beach, FL – May 23, 2011 – Miami City Ballet School students took the stage at the school’s Annual Student Showcase Benefit Evening where advanced students (in the School’s Pre-professional Division) performed challenging works, including George Balanchine’s one-act version of Swan Lake, excerpts from two ballets by August Bournonville and an original jazz piece choreographed by faculty members Rafi Maldonado-Lopez and Liz Malm. For many students, the showcase performance will be their grand finale before entering careers as professional dancers at ballet companies around the nation, including Miami City Ballet.

Prior to the show guests enjoyed a special presentation of scholarships to deserving students. The Toby Lerner Ansin Scholarship – created last year as a gift from the Ansin Family and the Ansin Foundation, to honor MCB’s co-founder – was presented to one of Miami City Ballet School’s finest students, Jovani Furlan, by School Director Linda Villella. Additional scholarships which were awarded by Do Unto Others Trust (to Jonathan Batista), Rose Miniaci (to Eric Landa), and Joan Baxt (to Sarah McCahill).

Proceeds from the Benefit Evening went to all aspects of a student’s classical ballet training at the Miami City Ballet School, including its scholarship program, which helps to ensure that all children accepted to the school, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are able to attend.