Pedro Pablo Peña
Pedro Pablo Peña was a visionary dancer, choreographer and director whose dedication to Hispanic arts profoundly shaped Miami’s cultural scene. Born in Havana, Cuba, he trained at the National Ballet of Cuba and performed with prestigious companies before seeking artistic freedom in Miami during the Mariel Boatlift. In 1982, he founded Creation Art Center and later established Miami Hispanic Ballet (1993) and the International Ballet Festival of Miami (1996), now one of the most renowned global ballet festivals in the U.S. Committed to the preservation of dance, Peña also created the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami (2006) to preserve the Cuban ballet tradition in exile. His impact extended to television, film and cultural advocacy, earning him numerous accolades, including “Pedro Pablo Peña Day” in Miami-Dade. In 2010, he founded the Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center, a multidisciplinary arts hub. For his exceptional leadership and dedication to the arts, Pedro Pablo Peña was awarded the TUMI USA Award. Until his final days, he remained committed to preserving Cuban ballet, promoting Hispanic culture, and nurturing young artists. His legacy lives on through the institutions he built, the dancers he mentored, and the cultural enrichment he brought to Miami and beyond. Pedro Pablo Peña’s lifelong commitment to dance and Hispanic culture continues to inspire generations of artists.