Mark Goldweber, ballet master for Ballet West and director of Ballet West II, died December 9th of cancer. He was 53 years old.
Goldweber always remained a dancer, even after he retired from the stage and began teaching, said Ballet West demi-soloist Beau Pearson. “He really gave himself to the art form more than anyone I’ve ever known.”
And he was a consummate teacher, whose corrections in class were more than just repetitive reminders. “They were something that would open up a whole new idea and change everything you were doing,” Pearson said.
“In the fall of 1976 “A Very Young Dancer” leaped into the imaginations of a generation of little girls. This children’s book by the photographer Jill Krementz chronicled the day-to-day life of a 10-year-old student from the School of American Ballet, following her to class and through her starring role as Marie in New York City Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” for which she was was handpicked by George Balanchine himself.
Fans of the book might have assumed that Stephanie went on to an adult ballet career as well. But like countless other young dancers in professional children’s schools, Stephanie saw her career end in adolescence, a time of rebellion and discovery. Most move on to other interests. But for Stephanie leaving the school was filled with shame and secrecy. Finding her new place in the world — after the attention that came with the book — was a long and painful journey littered with troubled relationships and financial struggles, with moments of deep darkness and depression…”
I don’t know about you, but I distinctly remember borrowing this book every week from my school’s library for years!) Read Stephanie’s brilliant interview and learn more about her life after ballet, here.
Check out this awesome sneak peek of the new movie, Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance!
About the movie:
The first documentary to tell the full story behind the world renowned Joffrey Ballet. The intensity, the love, the joy, and the enthusiasm are coming to a screen near you. Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance premieres in New York City January 27, 2012. Visit http://www.joffreymovie.com to find out about a screening in your area.
People watch the opening ceremony of the Bolshoi Theatre on October 28 (AFP/File, Yuri Kadobnov)
This just in: Russia’s Bolshoi Theatre is stunned by the announcement that two of its most celebrated dancers are leaving…
“Ivan Vasiliev and Natalya Osipova, a real-life couple whose amazing technique and passionate performances have won a worldwide following, have both handed in their notice, Bolshoi spokeswoman Katerina Novikova told AFP.
In a decision that has rocked the ballet world, they are moving to the Mikhailovsky Theatre of Saint Petersburg, a well-regarded house that is nonetheless overshadowed in Russia’s second city by the world famous Mariinsky.
The departure of possibly the two greatest attractions in its entire company is a huge blow for the Bolshoi ballet just weeks after it re-opened its historic theatre after a painful closure of over half a decade.”Read all about their departure here.
A hearty “Congratulations!” to Lauren Fadeley (soloist) and Francis Veyette (principal) with Pennsylvania Ballet on their wedding this past Saturday. The couple met in Philadelphia in 1997 as dance students — she was 12 and he 17 — at the Rock School for Dance Education’s summer program.
“They paired the two of us together in a publicity photo shoot,” Ms. Fadeley said. “I was so young, and he was hot stuff at the time.” You can read more about their exciting courtship here.
When you’re finished, be sure to check out this great interview with Boston Ballet husband-and-wife duo, Yury Yanowsky and Kathleen Breen Combes. (Soooo sweet!)
“In a statement, the company’s executive director, Katherine E. Brown, said City Ballet hoped it would be the “first of many” such transmissions.” – The New York Times. Read more here.
Pacific Northwest Ballet School student gets fitted for her first pair of pointe shoes. Photo Credit: Dean Opper
The transition from slippers to pointe shoes is by far the most eagerly anticipated rite of passage in a young dancer’s education. Every year, countless young girls wait with baited breath for their chance to wear their first pair of these beribboned satin wonders.
Pointe shoes serve as a tangible reward for a dance student’s years of dedication and hard work, and helps them declare to the world: “I’m a real ballerina!”
And while parents silently cringe over the price tags dangling from these stiff pink torturous looking examples of footwear, their daughters are busy squealing with delight over just “how pretty” their feet look to notice anything else. This is a moment they’ve worked so hard for – and dreamed about – for years.
To appropriately convey the excitement of this magical moment, we asked three moms and their daughters to share their thoughts regarding their very first pair of pointe shoes…
Andrea Hensen: “I felt excited and overwhelmed that my little girl was old enough to get pointe shoes. I would have liked more information ahead of time; some resources, a book or explanation beforehand, or perhaps a talk with the podiatrist first. Overall though, it was an exciting rite of passage.
Later when I saw All Wheeldon [Pacific Northwest Ballet], I was looking at all of the dancers and thinking, “Wow, my little girl is doing that, too!” It made me look at things from a different perspective.”
Ariella says: “It was so exciting and I love them. It was hard to get a real sense of them without the ribbons and elastics and in just the few minutes you get. And if it hurts at the beginning, don’t think it’s going to hurt forever. You just need to break them in. It’s so fun!”
Catherine Schultze: “I think more meaningful than her words was the expression on her face; I’ve almost never seen her so happy!”
Ella says: “My dreams have finally started to come true!”
Laura Rookstool: Since Grace is my 5th daughter to go “en pointe”, I’ve noticed some similarities in their approach. First and foremost, they all looked at getting those first pointe shoes as a rite of passage; they became one of the “big girls” at dance. Each one was excited to take the next big step in their ballet training. And for all of them, it brought a renewed enthusiasm – fueling their passion for ballet to the next level.
Emily (17) says this about going en pointe: “It was an accomplishment; something I worked really hard for.”
Katie Alice (16) says: “I was really excited and it made me feel like I was moving up. But at the same time, I didn’t want to wear them and get them all dirty. When the first pair were dead, I felt like I had accomplished something.”
Grace (11) says: “It means a lot to me because I’ve always wanted to go en pointe for as long as I can remember. I remember watching my sisters and looking forward to dancing en pointe too.” Laura adds: “Grace got to try out the older girls’ shoes. She would stuff the ends with socks, prancing and leaping around the house!
“Isabelle (7) is looking forward to her turn too,” Laura continues. “She couldn’t tell me why, but said she really wanted to do it. Something about those shoes; they’re so irresistible to little starry eyed girls.”
Are you looking forward to your first pair of pointe shoes? Do you need a little fitting expertise to help guide you along?
Well, you’re in luck! We’ve rounded up a 7-part video series by Russian Pointe’s very own Aleksandra Efimova, explaining everything you need to know about wearing those oh-so-dazzling pointe shoes. {Pretty sweet, right? }
To those of you who have received your first pair of pointe shoes this year – Congratulations! You’re well on your way to becoming one of the next generation’s most beloved ballerinas!
The other one (as featured on p 10 of Pointe) is Vala Dancewear’s “Siren” in one of the new fabrics/colors we are testing (consider this a sneak peek!!!), along with Class Act Tutu’s Layered Romantic Tutu in our 5-Layer “Bird of Paradise” palette.
If you want to own one of these georgeous tutus worn by Lindsi in the Pointe Photo shoot, they are in our Sample Sale!
“Lindsi Dec steps out from the “Rubies” corps, lowering her arms slowly, a flash in her eyes. And then she bursts into action, her 5′ 9″ worth of angular beauty unfurling into head-high extensions. Darting and slinking through Balanchine’s hip-jutting steps, the Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist is having the time of her life. And so is the audience.” – Pointe Magazine
Mark Goldweber, ballet master for Ballet West and director of Ballet West II, died December 9th of cancer. He was 53 years old.
“In the fall of 1976 “A Very Young Dancer” leaped into the imaginations of a generation of little girls. This children’s book by the photographer Jill Krementz chronicled the day-to-day life of a 10-year-old student from the School of American Ballet, following her to class and through her starring role as Marie in New York City Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” for which she was was handpicked by George Balanchine himself.
}
Here’s a fun “behind the scenes” look at Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist, Lindsi Dec’s 
