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A Trailblazer Of Local Dance Dies At Age 82

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By RICH SHOPES and KEITH MORELLI

rshopes@tampatrib.com kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: March 12, 2009

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

She was 82 and died a day after her 63rd wedding anniversary.

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

"She was a tremendous source of information and support for literally generations of dancers," said Susan Taylor Lennon, a longtime friend and the chairwoman 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 musicals such as "Louisiana Lady" and "Gay New Orleans."

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

That was in 1953. It wasn't long before she opened Anzia's School of Ballet and then another school, Tampa Ballet Arts, where, for the next few decades, she trained dancers and dance teachers. She also founded the Tampa Ballet, which no longer exists.

She founded the UT dance program, now headed by Taylor Lennon, her friend for 50 years.

As a 10-year-old, Taylor Lennon attended classes taught by Arsenault.

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

She recalled Arsenault as a consummate professional who held her students, even young ones, to high standards. Taylor Lennon was afraid to disappoint her when 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 UT in 1990, Arsenault remained active in dance, often dispensing advice, making costumes or reworking shows. She remained active 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 source of 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 a depth of knowledge and background. She knew so much. It's a great loss for everyone."

A memorial service will be held at UT's Falk Theatre, where a scholarship fund bearing Arsenault's name will be announced. Her family asks that any memorial contributions be made to that fund.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633. Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 865-1504.

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