OUR FACULTY
PAULA NUÑEZ
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Paula Nuñez trained at the Gustavo Franklin School. Nuñez is a former company member of the International Ballet of Caracas, Ballet Nuevo Mundo, and the Cleveland – San Jose Ballet.
Nuñez performed throughout the world at prestigious theaters in Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, France, Russia, Romania, Austria, Hungary, China, Japan, Taiwan, North, Central, and South America. Her work includes classical and neo-classical styles of renowned choreographers such as, Balanchine, Choo San Goh, Alvin Ailey, Agnes de Mille, Terry Orr, Judith Jamison, Jhon Butler, Elisa Monte, Carlos Orta, Dennis Nahat, Ulysses Dove, Vicente Nebrada, Hans Van Mannen, Hector Zaraspe, Flemming Flindt, and Margo Sappington.
Nuñez has participated in numerous festivals such as Spoleto in Italy, Cervantino in Mexico, and Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. She has shared the stage with esteemed ballet artists such as Cynthia Gregory, Rudolf Nureyev, Fernando Bujones, and Julio Boca.
In 1993, Nuñez became Artistic Director of “Ballet de las Americas”, a successful professional ballet school in Venezuela and has remained dedicated to teaching students of all ages. Many of Nuñez’s former students have attained professional positions in dance companies throughout the world. Nunez was appointed as Artistic Director of the Juvenil Ballet Las Americas in Venezuela for her outstanding work developing young dancers.
In 2002, Nuñez opened America’s Ballet School, in Tampa, Florida. In 2004, she became a member of the University of South Florida dance faculty, while continuing to develop contemporary and classical choreographies.
To the delight of Tampa audiences, Nuñez has staged full-length classical ballets that include Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire, La Fille Mal Gardeé, Coppelia, Don Quixote, and Paquita.
Nuñez has received “Outstanding Teacher, Choreographer, and Coach” awards from the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), American Dance Competition and American Ballet Competition. America’s Ballet School has been awarded “Outstanding School” for five consecutive years at the YAGP regional semi-finals.
In 2012, Nuñez became Artistic Director of the non-profit Tampa City Ballet, dedicated to creating and presenting high-quality works of classical and contemporary ballet; also developing community involvement through outreach programs.
America’s Ballet School, together with Tampa City Ballet serves the local community by providing scholarships, community engagement and training for children, as well as for committed pre-professional and professional dancers.
