OUR FACULTY
PAULA NUÑEZ
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Nunez is an Associate Instructor in the School of Theatre and Dance at The University of South Florida and the founder and Artistic Director of Tampa City Ballet.
Nuñez performed with Ballet International de Caracas and Ballet Nuevo Mundo 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 contemporary styles.
in 1992, Nunez co-founded the well-known “Fundacion Ballet de las Americas” in Caracas, Venezuela. Mrs. Nunez founded Tampa City Ballet School in 2002 and established the Tampa City Ballet, a contemporary, interdisciplinary, cutting-edge professional company focusing in community connection. Nuñez has received “Outstanding Teacher, Choreographer, and Coach” awards from the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), American Dance Competition and American Ballet Competition. TCBS has been awarded “Outstanding School” for five consecutive years at the YAGP regional semi-finals.
She has directed and choreographed numerous commissions, short films, and collaborations with various international and local organizations. Her works bring artistic investigation and quality experimental programs performed in a variety of spaces in unconventional settings outside the theater walls.
In 2012, Nunez launched a community engagement initiative “On Your Feet” . This program offers scholarships and high quality dance education in collaboration with well known organizations such as the University Area Community Development and Prodigy, their research-based prevention and diversion program for youth.
Since 2022, she has been creating a collaborative model that integrates intergenerational and intercultural productions, demonstrating the alchemy that occurs between disciplines., creators and performers. She has made a significant impact on the cultural landscape of Tampa Bay. Nunez received numerous awards for her teaching, choreography, and contributions to the arts. She was nominated for the prestigious City of Tampa’s Hispanic Heritage Award. Her dedication to fostering innovation and community engagement through dance has been contributing to the social and cultural life in Florida. Her work cultivates the power of the arts to heal.
