Chairman of the Faculty -- Edward Villella
Linda Villella, School Director: 305.929.7000 x1800
Ricardo Montealegre, Administrative Director: 305.929.7000 x1802

CHAIRMAN OF THE FACULTY -- Edward Villella
Edward Villella - Director, Miami City Ballet - America’s most celebrated male dancer, was born in Bayside, New York, and entered the School of American Ballet at age 10 but interrupted his dance training to complete academic studies. A graduate of the New York Maritime Academy, he obtained a B.S. in marine transportation, lettered in baseball, and was a championship boxer. As a principal dancer for New York City Ballet, he originated many roles in the company repertoire, among them Tarantella, the "Rubies" section of Jewels and the role of Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mr. Villella was the only American, ever, to be asked to dance an encore at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. He danced for President Kennedy’s inaugural and danced for Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford. His outstanding contributions to the arts and young people have earned him numerous awards and honorary degrees all over the country, including the National Medal of Arts and Kennedy Center Honors. Under his leadership, as Founding Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet, the Company has received worldwide acclaim.

SCHOOL ADVISOR

Roma Sosenko - Ballet Mistress, Miami City Ballet - a former soloist with New York City Ballet, Ms. Sosenko is responsible for rehearsing the many ballets Miami City Ballet dancers perform during the season. Ms. Sosenko taught for Miami City Ballet School in both the winter and summer programs. During her career as a dancer, Ms. Sosenko danced many lead roles for Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine.

Faculty -- BALLET

Carter Alexander - began his ballet training with his mother Amanda Stone in Cheyenne, WY. He continued at Arts Magnet and Dallas Ballet Academy before joining the Hartford Ballet, where he studied with his mentor, Truman Finney. He danced principal and soloist roles with the Kansas City Ballet, and also danced with Pennsylvania Ballet (where he taught on the faculty of the Rock School). Mr. Alexander received an offer to become the principal teacher at the Ballet Workshop New England in Boston, where he taught for five years. He also became the artistic associate of the Massachusetts Youth Ballet. He then joined Truman Finney at The School of Ballet Arizona as Assistant Director of the school. He is a principal teacher on the Miami City Ballet School faculty. 

Geta Constantinescu - was born in Romania. She performed numerous principal and soloist roles at The Company of State Opera and Ballet. In 1970, while touring in Italy, she defected to the West and guest appeared all over Europe and America. She was Ballet Mistress with the Arizona Ballet and Manhattan Ballet of New York, the Universal Ballet in Seoul, Korea, and the Hong Kong Ballet. She moved back to the United States in January 2002. Ms. Constantinescu is also a master teacher in the GYROTONICS® Technique by Julio Horvath.

Alexandra Koltun - graduated in 1989 from the eight-year program at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, studying under such noble mentors as Natalia Dudinskaya and Ludmila Morkovina. Upon graduation, Ms. Koltun joined the legendary Kirov Ballet, dancing many lead roles. Ms. Koltun performed in major productions in Russia and also toured throughout Europe, Japan, Korea and the United States. After defecting from the Kirov Ballet in 1991, she joined Boston Ballet as a soloist and then a principal dancer. In 1995-1996, she performed as a principal dancer with Deutshe Opera am Rhein. In 1999 Ms. Koltun toured Russia, Lithuania and the Ukraine with the San Francisco Ballet. Over the course of the last decade, Ms. Koltun has proceeded with her passion for teaching in many schools throughout the US and abroad. www.alexandrasballetstretch.com

Alex Lapshin - graduated from the eight-year program at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow in 1986. He joined Bolshoi Ballet that same year and toured throughout Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the United States. After four seasons with the Bolshoi, where he was under the supervision of Boris Akimov, Mr. Lapshin relocated to the US, where he obtained his citizenship. In New York he took classes with Stanley Williams at the School of American Ballet. In 1991, Mr. Lapshin was invited to the Vienna State Opera Ballet as a principal dancer. Upon his return to New York City in 1995, Mr. Lapshin danced many roles as a guest artist with various companies throughout North America. In 1999, Boston Ballet offered him a position as a principal. He participated in many gala performances, such as the Vienna International Gala, Stars of American Ballet in Milan and the International Ballet Stars throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.

Roberto Rodriguez - began his dance training with Ballets de San Juan in Puerto Rico and also studied at the School of American Ballet in New York.  He worked for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, returning to Ballets de San Juan, where he performed many classical lead male roles specializing in George Balanchine's choreographies.  Mr. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and another one in Theater and Dance Education from the University of Puerto Rico.  For the past 23 years he has been teaching ballet, theater, pantomime and creative movement.  He is currently a Florida State Department of Education certified teacher, Dance Consultant for the MDCPS, and also an adjunct teacher for the New World School of the Arts. 

Faculty -- CHILDREN'S DIVISION

Faculty -- JAZZ

Rafi Maldonado-López - is a faculty member of New World School of the Arts, where he teaches ballet and advanced Jazz for Music Theatre, and Movement in the Drama track. He has worked as a guest teacher across the Midwest as well as St. Petersburg, Russia, for the resident dance company of the famed Music Hall. He began his dance training in San Juan, Puerto Rico with Ballet Concierto and Ballet de San Juan, and later continued his studies under scholarship at Joffrey Ballet School and the Boston Conservatory. He performed contemporary works with Boston Dance Company, Minnesota Dance Theater, Ballet of the Dolls, Ballet Arts of Minnesota, as well as various commercial video works. Most recently he has choreographed for Anything Goes, Carousel, and Guys and Dolls, and has just been awarded a choreography commission for a new original Broadway musical: Palladium. Mr. Maldonado-Lopez is head of the Jazz department of MCB School since 2004.

Liz Malm - is a Miami native who graduated from New World School of the Arts.  Ms. Malm has worked in the music video industry, where she has choreographed, danced and toured with artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Ricky Martin, Jay-Z, P-Diddy, Beastie Boys, Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction, Lil' Romeo, Baha Men, Carlos Ponce, Jaime Camil, Tito Puente and Iron and Wine.  She has choreographed many commercials and television shows such as Virgin Mobile featuring Missy Elliot, Samsung, Bud Light featuring Cedric the Entertainer, Super Bowl, Lays Potato Chips, Telefonica, Herbal Essence, Pollo Tropical, "Truth" Anti-smoking campaign, MTV, BET, CBS, Telemundo and Univision.  She has also choreographed half-time shows for the Miami Heat. 

Richard Amaro - has danced in film, television, commercials, and numerous Broadway shows -- including West Side Story, Jerome Robbins Broadway, and Kiss of the Spider Woman -- and music videos with Prince, Tina Turner, Vanessa Williams and Michael Bolton.  He has choreographed Chita Rivera and All that Jazz, Dreamgirls National Tour, and the music video "Diamonds and Pearls" for Prince.  He has been a master teacher in Vienna, Venice, Amsterdam, Boston, London, Japan, Los Angeles and New York.  He was also s National Judo Champion.  Mr. Amaro has just finished a two year Broadway and international tour as a lead dancer for Chita Rivera in her Broadway show Chita Rivera: the Dancer's Life. 

Faculty -- STRETCH

Yelena Doroshenko - was born in Moscow, Russia. She is a master of sport in the international class in acrobatics.  She has performed in Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus all over the United States and internatioally.  She was also a silver medalist from 1994 through 1997.

For more information about MCB School please call 305.929.7007 or e-mail at school@miamicityballet.org.