Full-time Faculty
Faculty, Lower Division Faculty, Trainee Program Faculty, Upper Division Faculty
Zoica Tovar began her training at the age of nine at the Cuban Ballet School of Havana. Upon graduation she was accepted at Classical Ballet of Havana under the direction of Laura Alonso. Ms. Tovar’s talent and dedication allowed her to become a principal ballerina shortly thereafter. She received a silver medal in the Alicia Alonso Ballet Competition in Cuba as well as in the Brasilia International Ballet Competition in Brazil. Ms. Tovar has performed several principal roles including Kitri, Odette, Odile, Juliet, Swanilda, and many others from the classical repertoire.
Ms. Tovar danced as a principal dancer in Orlando Ballet from 1998 to 2009 under the direction of Vasile Petrutiu, Fernando Bujones, Bruce Mark and Robert Hill. At Orlando Ballet, she had the opportunity to perform works by Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, David Parson, and other famous choreographers. During her time in Orlando, Ms. Tovar received The Sun of Florida award from the city for her artistic achievements. In 2009, Ms. Tovar began at BalletMet. During her time with BalletMet, she continued to increase her experience with roles such as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. In addition, she worked with amazing choreographers like James Kudelka, Dwight Rhoden, Edwaard Liang and many others, increasing her contemporary dance experience. Ms. Tovar retired in 2014 from BalletMet.
Ms. Tovar has been teaching since 1995. She began her teaching career in Brazil with the Royal Ballet Academy and Palacio de las Artes, the professional company in Belo Horizonte. From 2000 to 2009, Ms. Tovar was part of the teaching faculty at Orlando Ballet, where she was in charge of the summer program auditions. She has also trained students for the Youth America Grand Prix competition. In 2012, Ms. Tovar began teaching at NorthPointe Dance Academy where she started a YAGP program. The program had excellent results including first place performances in ensemble groups for three years in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. Most recently, from 2020 to 2022, Ms. Tovar was Co-Academy Director of the United Ballet Theatre Academy in Orlando, Florida. During this time, she successfully created a Spring and Summer Intensive with students from all over the United States and the world. Ms. Tovar returned to BalletMet in 2022 we’re she was part of the faculty of the academy and the trainee program, also she participated in YAGP 2023 coaching BalletMet students and her Odalisque ensemble was awarded with gold medal. In November of this year, she was promoted to Academy Rehearsal Director position. Ms. Tovar is looking forward to sharing her passion and dedication for teaching with Washington School of Ballet in the upcoming season.
