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Tampa Pioneer Of Dance Anzia Arsenault Dies At Age 82

J.M. Lennon

Anzia Kubicek Arsenault

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By RICH SHOPES

and KEITH MORELLI

Published: March 11, 2009

TAMPA - Anzia Kubicek Arsenault, a pioneer of dance in Tampa and former artistic director of the Tampa Ballet between 1964 and 1984, died Sunday.

She was 82 and died a day after the 63rd wedding anniversary with her husband, Ralph.

She died of complications of pneumonia and infection at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Arsenault taught ballet to scores of students, many of whom went on to enjoy international careers, including Tony-nominated actress and dancer Elizabeth Parkinson.

"She was a tremendous source of information and support for literally generations of dancers," said Susan Taylor Lennon, a lifelong friend and current chair of the Department of Speech, Theatre and Dance at the University of Tampa.

"It's a great loss. She was like a mother to all of us," said Alice Holden Bock, artistic director at the Brandon Ballet.

Born in Amsterdam, N.Y., Arsenault studied dance in New York City, where she performed with the New York Light Opera Co. in Greenwich Village, and on Broadway in such musicals as "Louisiana Lady" and "Gay New Orleans."

While in New York, she met her husband, Ralph, a singer and actor in New York, and the couple moved to Tampa after the birth of their son, Keith.

That was in 1953. It didn't take long before she opened Anzia's School of Ballet and then the Tampa Ballet Arts where for the next few decades, she trained dancers and dance teachers.

She founded the dance program at the University of Tampa, now headed by Taylor Lennon, a friend of Arsenault's for 50 years. As a 10-year-old, she attended classes taught by Arsenault.

"She was an incredible woman," Taylor Lennon said. "She came from that Depression-era generation, very hard-working."

She recalled Arsenault as a consummate professional who held her students, even young ones, to high standards. Taylor Lennon was afraid of disappointing her she left Arsenault's school to attend college.

"I told her I didn't think I would dance again, but of course I did," she said.

Even after retiring from the University of Tampa in 1990, she remained active in dance, often dispensing advice, making costumes or reworking shows. She remained that way until a few weeks ago, Taylor Lennon said.

"She really created a rich cultural legacy in this area," she said.

Holden Bock said Arsenault was a great support 15 years ago when the Brandon Ballet was forming.

"I could always call her and ask about dance or costuming," she said. "She had the knowledge and background. She just knew so much. It's a great loss for everyone."

A memorial service is being planned at the University of Tampa's Falk Theatre, where a scholarship fund bearing Arsenault's name will be announced. Arsenault's family is asking contributions be made to that fund when it's established in lieu of flowers.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633.

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