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
Ballet
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…
Running With Scissors
This time of year dance schools everywhere roll out the abomination known as the recital. Some of my former ballet school parents back in Knoxville whose children landed at "recital" schools after I left have recently been heard moaning online about the exorbitant cost of sequined costumes, other recital-related expenses, limited stage exposure for their children, … Continue reading Running With Scissors
Rite of Passage
Yesterday I had a heartening message from the mother of a very talented former Knoxville Ballet School student. The subject line was Homework on Pointe, and the jist of the message simply, I don't even know if I can get them off her to sew the ribbons and elastics. This from a ballerina mom not … Continue reading Rite of Passage
Saucer-eyed.
These are two of my young students, each with older ballerina sisters. I snapped this a couple of weeks ago at one of the rehearsals for our studio performance. This takes me back several decades when I spent countless hours waiting for my ballerina mamma to finish class or rehearsal, only I was usually sprawled … Continue reading Saucer-eyed.
Walking Through Walls
I am not sure who shot this image on Friday evening at White River Ballet Academy's studio performance, but it has an otherworldly quality to it that is kinda cool. Handsome Chef Boyfriend says it appears that the three of us just walked into the room through the wall behind us like angels. I am … Continue reading Walking Through Walls
Bunheads
Hair thingummies for the Level 1 girls for tomorrow's perfomance. Ta dah!
Fairy Godmother
This is my Fairy Godmother, my "Auntie" Jane, who also happens to be one of my former ballet teachers, currently visiting all the way from Memphis. This picture of her was made just before a spring workshop performance there in about 1975; I was among those young ballerinas in the photo somewhere. Although we are … Continue reading Fairy Godmother
Rear View Mirror: Photo Essay
The young director at the ballet school in Vermont's Upper Valley, where I now hang my hat professionally, is enjoying her long-delayed move into a new building which continues as I write this. On Saturday we will hold our first classes there. This new chapter in the life of her fledgling school has opened with … Continue reading Rear View Mirror: Photo Essay
Sycamore Stories 