Famous for its artistic virtuosity and technical brilliance, the Cuban Ballet School has trained some of the most well known dancers of today and the late 20th Century, and has created a technique that is unmatched in modern day classical ballet.  In collaboration with Miami-Dade College, the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami’s (CCBM), goal is to establish a permanent classical ballet company and school that will preserve and further the tradition of the Cuban Classical School of ballet outside of Cuba, creating performance and teaching opportunities for the exiled members of this school in Miami and elsewhere for years to come.

The CCBM was founded in January 2006 by Pedro Pablo Peña, Director of the International Ballet Festival of Miami (www.intlballetfest.org, recognized as one of the most important festivals of its kind in the United States.  In his quest for quality, Mr. Peña invited recognized ballet mistress Magaly Suárez as Artistic Director of the CCBM.

The main purpose of the CCBM is to showcase recently exiled Cuban principal dancers as well as those already in residing in the United States.  Through the establishment of this company, our artists have found a place where they can transform their brilliant technique into a tool of expression.  Many dancers come to our city looking for a place to continue their careers.  For those unwavering in their dreams, they can bloom as artists with the CCBM, the only true classical ballet company in Miami.

The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami’s mission is to promote and preserve the tradition of the classical ballet, to develop future career classical dancers and to ensure that the organization achieves an international reputation as one of the preeminent ballet companies in America.  The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami represents the true essence of the classical ballet, and wishes to be recognized nationally and internationally for its high technical standards, artistic integrity and unwavering commitment to present the very best in classical ballet.

WHY CUBAN CLASSICAL BALLET IN MIAMI?

Miami, also known as the Gateway to the Americas, has become one of the most important cities in the United States, surprising major analysts worldwide with its actual and potential growth and development.  But the development of a city cannot be measured by financial transactions alone.  The true development of a city is also measured by its culture.  In this regard, hundreds of local artists and government agencies have been investing in the development of a Cultural Miami, showing off the cultural wealth, and multiethnic diversity that makes Greater Miami one of the most interesting and promising cities on the international cultural scene.  Because of the large number of residents of Hispanic descent in the area, the awareness of the potential of Latin artists to contribute to growth and innovation is high, and represents an inherent demand for world class performing arts by these same artists.

While there are other classical ballet institutions that are based and perform locally, none is dedicated to a specific classical style and has as its mission to preserve the classical form while stewarding in a new generation of talent in that same tradition.  Because of its geography, Miami is the perfect location to attract talented young students from all over the Caribbean and Latin America, and it will be one of the company’s goals to expand its teaching program and extend scholarship opportunities to students of Latin descent, as well as others, who may otherwise not have resources to study.

The company has already developed ties with other presenters in Florida outside of Miami Dade County, and internationally with Spain, Italy the Dominican Republic and elsewhere to enhance its performance opportunities.  This means that the Cuban Classical style can be developed in a company forum, provide Miami with a performance season and school, and share this talent with audiences and students from around the globe in dynamic touring that strengthens the cultural ties between South Florida and the U.S, Latin America and Europe.  This exchange represents a level of artistic commerce that Miami’s current overall cultural development is lacking.