Miami City Ballet lands National Dance Institute director

The Miami City Ballet has selected Juan José Escalante as its new executive director.

Replacing his predecessor Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, Mr. Escalante will start his new role Feb. 6.

Partnering with Arts Consulting Group on the national search, the Miami City Ballet (MCB) says Mr. Escalante will advance the ambitious goals of the organization in a financially sustainable manner.

“This will shape MCB as an important cultural ambassador and economic engine to the State of Florida, as well as one of its greatest jewels,” said Jeff Davis, the ballet’s chair and interim executive director.

Other goals on the agenda include the continued expansion of MCB and the MCB School as premiere national ballet institutions, a digital transformation of the organization, both internally and on stages, and increased growth in community engagement and touring opportunities.

Each of these goals supports MCB’s vision to be an institution that is reflective of the diverse communities the ballet serves, Mr. Davis added.

Mr. Escalante brings more than 30 years of experience in arts management, mainly centered on financial and executive leadership positions.

Currently, he serves as the executive director of the National Dance Institute, a non-profit arts education organization in New York that has impacted more than 2 million children through inclusive dance and music programs.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree in business management from the Herbert H. Lehman College City University of New York, a master of business administration from the University of Phoenix, and also has completed the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Program at Harvard University Business School.

The Miami City Ballet has a roster of 52 dancers and a repertoire of more than 130 works. MCB also runs the Miami City Ballet School, which trains students year-round and grants more than $650,000 in scholarships annually, and its community engagement programs that serve more than 12,000 people annually in schools and communities.

“As a former resident of South Florida, he clearly understands the excitement and huge opportunity ahead to accelerate the growth for MCB and the school as one of the most recognized ballet companies and schools in the Americas,” said Lourdes Lopez, Miami City Ballet’s artistic director. “Juan José has first-hand experience of the vibrancy, diversity, and characteristics of our communities and will help us to further deepen our relationship with them.”