Launched in 2018, Tampa City Ballet (TCB) is a professional
contemporary dance company with a 21st
century innovative repertoire. TCB has become
an unstoppable force that helps contribute to the
evolution of dance and leads Tampa Bay in joining
a global dance movement that is providing a stage
for emerging artists.
Inspired by the need to establish a creative space
to cultivate the local artistic talent, TCB is an innovative
and collaborative dance company that
has been enhancing Tampa’s art and cultural scene
since its inception. TCB also serves the community
by creating unique performances and providing
high-quality arts education to positively change
lives through the power of the arts. Today, it is
credited with creating a dance hub for jobs, artistic
collaborations, and educational contributions, and
continues to serve as a unique platform for interdisciplinary
contemporary art projects.
Paula Nuñez, Founder and Artistic Director
Paula Nuñez is a
former professional
principal dancer,
choreographer and
current faculty member
at the University
of South Florida. Nuñez
trained at the
Gustavo Franklin
School in Caracas,
Venezuela, and her
professional career
began at The International
THE FLORIDA OR 3602 CHESTRA | 2019-2020
Ballet of
Caracas. She subsequently went on to become a
celebrated principal dancer with the Ballet Nuevo
Mundo de Caracas and Cleveland-San Jose Ballet.
Nineteen years ago, she founded the internationally
renowned America’s Ballet School, where she
serves the community by providing world-class ballet
training. She has won “Best Choreographer” and
“Best School” at international venues and serve as
guest choreographer for several organizations.
Nuñez is thrilled to continue contributing to Tampa
Bay’s cultural life as the founder and artistic director
of Tampa City Ballet and its outreach programs.
Elsa Valbuena, Resident Choreographer
Elsa Valbuena is one of Colombia’s contemporary
dance pioneers. In 1982, she founded Gaudere Danza
in Cali, Colombia. After her arrival in the Tampa
Bay area in 1993, she established herself as a dancer,
choreographer and teacher. Valbuena co-founded
Moving Current in 1997 and served as co-artistic
director for the next four years. In 2018 Valbuena
joined Tampa City Ballet as resident choreographer.
Pulcinella was choreographed by Tampa City Ballet’s
Artistic Director Paula Nuñez and Resident
Choreographer Elsa Valbuena.
Dancers
Marissa Andresky, Ethan Barbee, Mathew Doolin,
Lital Gelman, Fer Garcia, Zoe Greco, Lily McCrossin,
Marcus McCray, Kayci Rodriguez, Claudia Suarez,
Jacqueline Sullivan, Hannah Thompson, Brentwood
Townend
TAMPA CITY BALLET