Gina Ness

So sorry to hear of her passing... Her important place in ballet history will live forever.

I knew Sean when he was a teenager at SFB back in the days before he became a star at NYCB. What a great guy with a great sense of humor! We all loved him! He will truly be missed by many, many people. Many friends feeling very sad today...

She was so amazing in A Midsummer Night's Dream! What a wonderful, inspiring life...

So sorry to hear of her passing. I grew up looking at photos of her in the souvenir programs. She was so beautiful...

I was so very sorry to hear of Willa's passing. I had the privilege to wear costumes designed by her ( Michael Smuin's "TheTempest" and his "Shinju", to name a couple ballets) when I danced with San Francisco Ballet in the seventies and eighties. Her costumes were designed with the movement of the dancer in mind as well as just being amazingly beautiful! She shall be missed!

http://news.iu.edu/releases/iu/2016/02/violette-verdy-tribute.shtml Such sad news... She was a brilliant teacher and mentor to so many young dancers at Indiana University. An iconic ballerina has left us...

Richard G. Holden has passed. He was known on this forum as "richka". He will be missed by family and friends. He had a remarkable career, and it was an honor to know him. Kathleen C-Schwartzman wrote this wonderful obituary. I met Richard on this forum several years ago. He helped Mr. George Zoritch in Mr. Zoritch's final years and days. We will miss you, dear Richard... http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tucson/obituary.aspx?pid=176188285

I was privileged to see her dance Odette/Odile and the Dying Swan at the SF Opera House when I was young... She inspired my generation with her strength, artistry, and passion. I was speaking about her at some length with my advanced class the very day she passed away! I didn't know she had left us until I returned home! I try to tell my students about the amazing dancers of the past who are leaving us... I don't wish for Maya to be forgotten! She is iconic and will be so missed...

Thank you, Richka, for sharing your remarkable connection... May she rest in peace.

I am so sorry to read this... I didn't know her personally, but I know and danced with her son Dennis at SFB during the seventies. I'm really thinking of her family and the many students she inspired throughout the years at this sad time...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/marc-platt-dies-at-100-performed-with-ballet-russe-de-monte-carlo-and-on-broadway/2014/04/01/5af142fe-b929-11e3-9a05-c739f29ccb08_story.html

http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-marc-platt-20140404,0,2061435.story#axzz2yB2R6P9H

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/arts/dance/marc-platt-100-stage-and-screen-dancer-dies.html?_r=0

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/marc-platt-dies-seven-brides-692387

In the "Barn Raising Dance" from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" posted above, Marc is brother Daniel in the purple shirt...

I am sad to tell you all that Marc Platt died yesterday, March 29th, 2014. He was born on December 2nd, 1913 and celebrated his 100th birthday with a beautiful party last year organized by his wonderful family. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends... Marc was a treasure. He was one of the last of that great generation of dancers of the Ballets Russes represented so beautifully in the Ballets Russes documentary in which he was featured. He was a star on Broadway, creating the role of "Dream Curly" in the original Broadway production of "Oklahoma!". He was featured in the later film, as well. In addition to being a featured star on Broadway, he made several films including "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (he was brother Daniel!), "Tonight and Every Night", and "Down to Earth" among several others. From 1962 to 1970 he was principal choreographer of the ballet at Radio City Music Hall. He married Jean Goodall who was a dancer appearing in several films including "Carousel", "Guys and Dolls", and "Pajama Game". Together, they owned ballet schools and created local companies from 1962 through 1992 in both New York and Florida. Marc moved to California in 1994 to be closer to his family. In addition to being a guest artist in several Bay Area local company productions including Marin Dance Theater, Marc became a good friend to me and to Santa Rosa Dance Theater. He would come and watch rehearsals, coach, and give wonderful, always "spot on" feedback to our students. We adored him!!! He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. What an amazing man and artist! It was a blessing to know him...

I do wish that reference to problems with his double tours had been left out of his obituary... Really... Seriously? Not appropriate, IMHO... Sigh... I was a fan of Ivan Nagy. So gorgeous....

I am so sad to hear of Carley's passing... May she rest in peace... Deepest sympathy to her family...

The New York Times has an obituary for Mr. Howard. For some reason, I can't seem to copy and paste... Perhaps someone can find it and post it...

Thanks for your memories, treschic53...

I studied with David Howard at Harkness House in 1969. I loved his classes... I remember they were beautifully structured with wonderful movement quality. We always began with the Theraputic Barre. He was funny! He was kind! He was supportive! I liked him a LOT! He liked me! So many years ago, but he lives in my memory as a great teacher... He shall be missed by all his former and MANY students...

Thank you, David, for this beautiful tribute to Richard Thomas... Love, Gina

Here is Peter's official obituary. I will miss him greatly... http://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/2013-05-30/peter-franklin-white.html

Franklin-White, also known as Peter Franklin-White, passed away on Sunday, May 19th, 2013. He was ninety years old. Peter was a dancer with Ballet Rambert, Sadler's Wells, and Principal Character Dancer with the Royal Ballet. He was much photographed and well-known as Kostchei in Folkine's Firebird, sharing the stage with Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes. Peter was also a director, choreographer, fight master, teacher, lecturer, and continued performing for many universities and performing arts groups. He was a dear friend to me and my brother, Anton Ness. My brother treasured him as a life-long mentor and dear, dear friend. He is survived by his son, Michael Franklin-White.

I thought this a lovely find... Frederic Franklin and Maria Tallchief dancing Gaite together at the Hollywood Bowl... In honor and in memory of two remarkable dancers... https://www.youtube....d&v=aCuQleG8Ins