By Boca Vibe
Take 5 with Gonzalo Garcia: A New Chapter for the Miami City Ballet
Gonzalo Garcia, the newly appointed Artistic Director of the Miami City Ballet, is still getting used to his new role. Just a year ago, he was living in South Florida, and now he’s at the helm of one of the state’s most respected arts organizations. Read more at BocaVibe.com.
The Unexpected Turn
A year ago, Garcia did not expect to be living in South Florida, let alone leading one of the state’s preeminent arts organizations. Nor did Miami City Ballet expect to be bidding farewell to then-Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez on the cusp of the company’s 40th anniversary season.
Lopez, who had been helming the organization since 2013, announced her departure with two years left in her contract. “I’m sure it was a shock for them,” Garcia says. “She had a change of heart, and a change of heart sometimes means an opportunity for an institution to reassess what direction they want to go, and pump fresh energy. And I think that’s what they did with me.”
A Fresh Perspective
Indeed, Garcia is so fresh from his dance career he might as well have arrived to Miami vacuum-sealed. He retired from performance at the age of 35, after a successful career with companies such as American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet.
As Artistic Director, Garcia brings a unique perspective to the role. “I think my background in dance will allow me to connect with the dancers and the audience on a deeper level,” he says. “But I also bring a lot of experience from my time as a performer and educator, which will help me make informed decisions about the company’s future.”
Looking Ahead
The Miami City Ballet is set to embark on its 40th anniversary season, with Garcia at the helm. The company has announced a number of exciting new productions, including a world premiere of a new ballet by guest choreographer William Forsythe.
- New York City Ballet’s Spring Fling
- Guest artist William Forsythe
- World premiere of new ballet
Garcia is excited to be a part of this milestone season. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be leading such an amazing company at this moment in time,” he says. “We have a lot of exciting things planned, and I’m looking forward to sharing them with the audience.”
Official city info: City of Boca Raton.
Source: Original Report