3 replies to this topic

[Vanya]

I recently joined Ballet Talk, having noticed (read) my name mentioned in an old blog about Michel Panaieff's ballet school in Hollywood during the late 1950's. A writer mentioned that he found an old LP album entitled Symphonic Dances. On the cover were four dancers who were named on the back cover. They were Michel Panaieff, Victor Moreno, Geraldine Forrey, and Vanya Mishvek. As it happens I am Vanya. The writer mistakenly thought that I was the leaping Prince Igor dancer and that Victor Moreno was the Russian sailor. In fact, it was the other way around. The photo was shot in the old round shaped Capitol Record building in Hollywood. After the shoot we had a heated discussion about having our names mentioned on the cover. They compromised by agreeing to place the names on the back cover.
   Shortly afterwards I was invited by Alicia Alonso to join the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. After returning to the U.S. with my Cuban wife, Margarita de Saa, I returned to take classes at Panaieff's studio on S. La Brea Ave. I also resumed my contact with Victor (we had been roommates earlier). I am still in regular contact with him. He lives in Boulder Colorado. He is getting by, but unfortunately not doing so well. I can testify that he was a phenomenal dancer with a prodigeous technique. We spent many hours analyzing the ins and outs of ballet technique.
   Anyone wishing to ask questions please do so. (vanya23@verizon.net)

[carbro]

Welcome to BalletTalk, Vanya!  

For curious readers, I think this might be the thread that you reference: http://ballettalk.in...p...c=23682&hl= .  Thank you for the clarification and added info.  Hearing from one of the people directly involved brings a greater sense of immediacy.  

Your charming wife is mentioned in these posts: http://ballettalk.in...p...st&p=108246
http://ballettalk.in...p...st&p=206294 and the one following
and http://ballettalk.in...p...st&p=136061  

[cubanmiamiboy]

Yes, welcome!!
I'm so happy to hear that Margarita's husband is here.  About Magarita and Ramona I couldn't find that much info for my little threads on the Cuban ballerinas of the 60's.  Maybe now i will have some light shred on the subject.  I saw Mirror Dancing, and it really touched me deeply, as to the uncertainaty to when this trip to the homeland can become a reality for all of us.  I'm sure that Margarita knows many things from the first years of the Cuban ballet that i always wonder and have no many people to ask about.  Beautiful.

[dirac]

Welcome to Ballet Talk, Vanya!