Promised rain and chilly temperatures came to my corner of New England today, and so I did the only reasonable thing under the circumstances. The season's first pot of chili now sits on my stove. My little loft has been filled variously with the earthy aroma of boiling Mung and Azuki beans (gifts from Handsome … Continue reading Sunshine on a Cloudy Day, and All That. (Beauty herein.)
Ballet School
Little Tests, Big Tests
The last time I raced I injured myself badly. Waiting at the starting line I felt growing irritation for a pack of college kids who had clearly decided to run that day as an afterthought; I gathered from their jawing that they were not runners, and also that they had been at a kegger 'til … Continue reading Little Tests, Big Tests
Sweating the Small Stuff
I have a moderate case of self-diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It does not impede my everyday life. (At least, I don't think so.) And I would even submit that it often helps me produce better work. A few days ago I had to let go of it in the interest of putting kids in front … Continue reading Sweating the Small Stuff
Waning Summer in Lake Placid
In case you wondered dear blogosphere, I am still alive and well. This week I have a guest teaching engagement at Lake Placid School of Ballet, where there has been a cold drizzle and kids attending dance camp have come trickling into the studios covered in fleece. Strange mid-August phenomenon, especially for this Southern girl. … Continue reading Waning Summer in Lake Placid
Make ‘Em Laugh
Lariska Dumbchenko, aka Raffaele Morra; http://www.trockadero.org Important lesson: take your work seriously, but not yourself. Prima ballerina assoluta Dame Margot Fonteyn is quoted as having said this, as are scores of others. I heard it again earlier today during a conversation with Raffaele Morra, who was visiting the ballet school where I teach this morning … Continue reading Make ‘Em Laugh
Home Alone
It has been raining here in Vermont for about five weeks in a row now with no signs of letting up. Well okay, more like five days. I am about halfway through a week-long reprieve from ballet school before summer term starts next week with a bang; this distinguished guest instructor from American Ballet Theatre's … Continue reading Home Alone
Cage Rattling
This beauty arrived at my cottage early last week and hung out with me a few days, taking flight just before Handsome Chef Boyfriend's happy arrival Thursday. Lately I have felt unsettled, a little jittery, like I've had too much coffee, but all the time. My first academic year on the teaching staff at White … Continue reading Cage Rattling
Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts
Three composers, three teacher-choreographers, a single amazing piano instructor-performer, scores of students and their parents, enrichment from talented guest artists, and tireless volunteers. The culmination of an academic year that saw big transitions, much joy, a few tears, and amazing progress, played out on the stage yesterday. I am still overwhelmed and impressed by the … Continue reading Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts
Achilles Heel
Today Clarence and I walked. Again. I have taken a break from running because the pain from a chronic Achilles injury has been too bad to push, and until today, the weather has not inspired me to run. But we reached a soaring 87 degrees in my part of Vermont today--lots of grumbling from locals … Continue reading Achilles Heel
We know every part by heart…
...almost. A bit more refining, and we're there. Curtain at 2:30 and at 6:30 next Sunday at Thetford Academy's Martha Jane Rich Theatre; three original works set to Debussy, Orff, and Brahms (one of my esteemed colleagues in the Brahms rehearsal above). Live music by the piano students of Victoria Dobrushina, many of whom are … Continue reading We know every part by heart…
Sycamore Stories 