Miami City Ballet’s Annual Gala celebrates MCB School’s 25 years ‘On Pointe’
The Company raised more than $735K benefiting MCB School’s programs
On Saturday, March 10, Miami City Ballet (MCB) celebrated the 25th Anniversary of MCB School with the spectacular On Pointe Gala at Faena Forum, raising more than $735,000 to support the School. The evening paid tribute to the training, passion and dedication it takes for a ballerina to achieve dancing On Pointe. This significant moment inspired the theme of the gala with the signature red color serving as a visual representation of these elements and symbolizing the vitality of dance.
“The transformative power of dance enriches our students’ lives both on and off the stage, and teaches the valuable lessons of discipline and the pursuit of excellence,” said Lourdes Lopez, MCB’s artistic director. “For the past 25 years, the talent, energy, and passion our students have exuded is a testament to the quality of dance education at our school and in our community.”
The gala Honorary Chairs included distinguished MCB School alumni and principal dancers, Patricia Delgado and Jeanette Delgado, along with Gala Chairs Kristi Jernigan, Board Chair and her husband, Dean Jernigan. The official English and Spanish-language media sponsors of the gala were Miami Magazine and Selecta Magazine, respectively. The Entertainment Sponsor was MAPFRE Luis Insurance and the Valet Sponsor was Freed of London. Spirits were provided by Bacardi and wines by Chateau Gaby.
Commemorating the School’s anniversary, the On Pointe Gala treated attendees to a special performance by pre-professional students with excerpts from Le Petite Danse, choreographed by former Miami City Ballet student, Durante Verzola. Honorary Chairs, the Delgado sisters, who have achieved star-status performing iconic works on the world’s most renowned stages, were also featured as part of the evening’s presentation.
The illustrious evening began with a cocktail reception followed by dinner, dancing and an After Party at Faena Forum’s impeccable three-tiered venue. More than 410 guests made up of local community leaders, ballet aficionados, and notable South Florida philanthropists experienced an exciting and passion-filled night.
“Through the continued generosity of our community, MCB School is able to fulfill the dreams of aspiring dancers worldwide,” said Arantxa Ochoa, MCB School’s director of faculty and curriculum. “We are eternally grateful to our donors who have helped raise funds in support of the School’s scholarship program, which ensures that talented students have the ability to pursue top-level training, regardless off their backgrounds or financial means.”
Nearly 1,300 local, out-of-state and international students are enrolled in MCB School annually. The academy offers 150 scholarships each school year, and half of MCB’s current professional company roster is comprised of MCB School graduates and former scholarship recipients—a true testament to the impact of scholarships on the lives of young artists.
Miami City Ballet is committed to investing in the longevity of its programs, nurturing the next generation of dancers to stay #OnPointe, and leading MCB School into the future.
