"Cheers to arts, sciences
The Cambridge-based American Academy of Arts and Sciences inducted its newest members - the 229th class - Saturday. In a nod to academy founder John Adams, new inductees James Earl Jones and Emmylou Harris read letters written by John and Abigail Adams. (The night before, the academy honored a slew of celebrated scribes, including Jamaica Kincaid, James Salter, Gish Jen, Denis Donoghue, and Galway Kinnell.) Saturday’s other inductees included California’s chief justice Ronald George and Miami City Ballet chief executive Edward Villella. Among the guests were several college presidents, former Citizens Bank chief executive Larry Fish, Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, critic Stanley Crouch, MIT economist and MacArthur award winner Esther Duflo, and Partners in Health founder Paul Farmer"

Boston.com

When I met Mr Villella at the Fireside Chat two weeks ago, he mentioned that he had been asked to give the speech for this honor. I wonder what he spoke about!

The speech has been posted on the Miami City Ballet Blog.

Read the speech here

Thanks to all who have reported on this story -- -- and to Jack Reed, who broke the news about the award earlier. And thanks, cahill, for finding that link.


A classy man, a great artist. He really does try to instill these values -- and the work ethic that sustains them -- to his dancers. Congratulations, Mr. Villella.