Miami City Ballet Celebrates 40th Anniversary and Founder's 85th Birthday

Special dance performance "Roses From the South – Three Waltzes for Toby" honors Toby Lerner Ansin

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Miami City Ballet is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and the occasion is marked by a special dance performance honoring the company's founder, Toby Lerner Ansin, on her 85th birthday. The performance, titled "Roses From the South – Three Waltzes for Toby," debuted at the Adrienne Arsht Center and was a thank-you tribute to Ansin for her decades of dedication to the ballet company.

Why it matters

Toby Lerner Ansin's vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the Miami City Ballet into the renowned dance company it is today. The 40th anniversary celebration and birthday tribute highlight her lasting impact on the arts and culture of Miami.

The details

The special dance performance was put together by the Miami City Ballet as a way to honor Ansin's 85th birthday and her 40 years of founding and leading the company. The performance, which ran as part of the "Into the Magic City" program, featured a graceful waltz choreographed specifically for Ansin. An after-party was also held to continue the celebration of Ansin's legacy.

  • The special dance performance "Roses From the South – Three Waltzes for Toby" debuted on the weekend of February 24, 2026.
  • The performance ran as part of the "Into the Magic City" program until March 1, 2026.

The players

Toby Lerner Ansin

The founder of the Miami City Ballet, who is celebrating her 85th birthday.

Andrew Ansin

Toby Lerner Ansin's oldest son, who hyped up his mother at the after-party celebration.

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What they’re saying

“It's like a dream come true. As a little girl, I could never have imagined I'd be sitting here and be one of the people responsible for all those dancers, the ballerinas, males also on the stage.”

— Toby Lerner Ansin, Founder, Miami City Ballet (wsvn.com)

“Everyone knows my mom has a lot of personality and charm. Always very positive, but she also has grit and I first encountered this one when I was born.”

— Andrew Ansin, Toby Lerner Ansin's son (wsvn.com)

What’s next

The special tribute performance "Roses From the South – Three Waltzes for Toby" will continue to run as part of the "Into the Magic City" program at the Adrienne Arsht Center until March 1, 2026.

The takeaway

Toby Lerner Ansin's vision, dedication, and leadership over the past 40 years have been instrumental in building the Miami City Ballet into the renowned dance company it is today. The 40th anniversary celebration and birthday tribute highlight her lasting impact on the arts and culture of Miami.