Miami City Ballet (MCB) has selected Monica Stephenson as Director of Community Engagement, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). She will begin her tenure on January 3, 2022.
An engaging dancer, teacher, and administrator, Stephenson joins MCB from The Washington Ballet where she served as Head of School for the SE Campus in Washington, DC. While there, she developed and maintained an atmosphere and expectation for the highest quality ballet instruction. In addition to managing a roster of 17 to 20 teaching faculty and accompanists, Stephenson produced, coordinated, choreographed, and artistically directed all performances for the campus. She has also served as a member of the organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group and the Community Engagement Committee.
Stephenson has served as a teaching artist and faculty member at numerous prestigious dance schools and companies across the United States, including at the University of Utah School of Dance, George Mason University School of Dance, American Ballet Theatre, and Los Angeles Ballet School. Additionally, she has studied dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Houston Ballet Academy. Stephenson earned a bachelor of science degree in business education from East Carolina University and a master of arts degree in dance education from New York University. She is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy degree in dance from Texas Woman’s University.
In making the announcement, Executive Director Tania Castroverde Moskalenko said, “I am delighted to welcome Monica to Miami City Ballet’s senior leadership team as our next Director of Community Engagement. Monica possesses the vision and professional experience to restore and expand our programs across all the communities we serve. Her focus on access and opportunities for under-resourced communities will strengthen Miami City Ballet’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Monica’s career as a dancer, educator, and administrator makes her the ideal candidate to lead our Community Engagement programs into the future.”
“I am tremendously excited to join the Miami City Ballet as Director of Community Engagement,” said Stephenson. “Seeing the depth of the existing community engagement programming and the investment they have by the board of directors, executive leadership, and staff gives me great confidence that I can contribute to work that is making a lasting impact throughout the tri-county area. Leading community engagement at MCB encompasses all that I have learned as a student, professional ballet dancer, teacher, scholar, and most significantly as an administrator that seeks to cultivate the highest level of access and opportunity in the art form. I am excited to both uphold and build upon MCB’s commitment to its communities and the power of dance education.”
“Congratulations to the board and staff of Miami City Ballet on the appointment of Monica Stephenson as Director of Community Engagement,” said ACG Vice President Geoff Chang. “Her deep passion and joy for ballet and dance education will serve MCB well in this next phase.”
December 2021