...and hence my name! I don't know why I live in northern New England as I am NOT a fan of snow, ice, cold, skiing, snowshoeing...I could go on, but you get the idea! ANyhow, here I am, looking at the snow flying and reading Ballet Talk. My 15 yr. old is a dancer; I hate to call her "recreational" as she trains solidly for 20 hours a week, but she won't be moving into a pre-pro program, although she aspires to teaching. I have always been surrounded by ballet. I grew up in the Boston area, took what was definitely recreational/Dinkle ballet growing up during the 1960's and 1970's, but had the good fortune to have a cousin whose cousin by marriage (and therefore NO relation to me!) was E. Virginia Williams- so there was definitely a "real" ballet influence in my youth, as well as numerous trips into town to see the Ballet. Ballet moves me in a way nothing else can! I am a fan of watching ballets although not well-versed in specific dancers and their careers; a recreational fan, perhaps? No matter; it will be enjoyable to read and learn from other adults interested in ballet from the seats and not from behind the footlights (not that I don't love that also, but with my DD's involvement sometimes I am overwhelmed with production details and don't have the opportunity to discuss, read, and reflect- too busy sewing and painting and managing!).