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How many week work does ABT provide? Looking at the calendar there are many blank weeks.

Kirkland was a very special ballerina. I saw her dance quite a bit at ABT. I agree that her Giselle was quite moving. I do remember the 2nd act. She was unworldly; she used her amazing lightness, elevation and speed to tremendous effect. I also loved her Don Q. I saw one Swan Lake (not so good). The Theme & Variations, that was on TV as part of the great performances series, has some unbelievable moments of phrasing & speed. She really out did Misha in that ballet (not surprising because she was bred to it). There is a youtube clip of a Coppelia variation that is surprisingly unmusical. Unfortunately I also saw some crazily bad performances, particularly with the Eglevsky Co. She was a unique talent with a lot to offer. My ballerina of choice, at ABT, was Cynthia Gregory, but I did see Kirkland in many roles.

The good news is, as I read today, that WNYC is buying WQXR. I expect the station to continue its classical music mission, but perhaps improve. Personally I've found the programing a bit boring and unadventurous, so this might be an improvement.

ABT ll did it probably in the mid to late 70's and it was popular in regional companies for a while around that time.

Thank you so much for this. I'm not familiar with Frank Hobi or Louis Ellyn, I'll have to look them up.

She was charming & beautiful. What a good thing for ballet; I wish it would happen more often.

I just read the "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" which is on the list. I picked it up just browsing in the library. I loved it and preordered the second book in the trilogy "The Girl Who Played With Fire." A novel I recommend to everyone who asks - The Crimson Petal and the White. Anyone read it?

Maybe this coaching was part of the LEONORE ANNENBERG award that S. Lane & M. Copeland won. I read somewhere that Copeland was being coached by various people as part of the award. I assume Lane is also. If so what a great use of time & talent to have Ferri coach you in R&J. If not does anyone know how Lane is using the award?

I've only seen her Lilac Fairy on video but thought it one of the best I've seen. Even in the video she made me believe! Not corny - just what a fairy tale should be.!!

Wilhelm Burmann and Nancy Bielski teach at Steps, and I assume that that's where Ms. Flack took class with them. The classes at Steps have overlapping start times and several ballet classes are going at the same time, so in order to participate in both Willy Burmann's and Nancy Bielski's advanced classes, one has little choice but to take barre in one and center next door in the other. I think that's what was being referred to. She does mention that she also took private lessons with them. Steps daily schedule I'm sure you are right. It's just that my experience has been that most teachers conceive a ballet class as a whole, so I find the concept of doing one person's barre and another person's center as an odd choice.

Interestingly when Mr. B taught company class attendance could be sparse. Some dancers were regulars and others rarely attended. I don't know how that affected individuals. Eddy Villella didn't attend but Mr. B used him. Meryl Ashley attended and (in my opinion) benefited because she came to know what he wanted and gave it to him in class. Remember Ashley was a dancer who took a while to be promoted to principal. In other words I think it is hard to say how attending co class impacts any individual, but it offers opportunity to be seen outside of rehearsals, and to know what the AD is looking for. For me it was a little odd that Flack missed the end of one teacher's class to catch the end of another teacher's class. For me that is not the best way to study. The other perspective interesting to me is age. Flack must have been 16 (maybe 17) when she got into NYCB. She must have thought wow this is it, I've made it. She had injuries and had set backs, and came to know real life. Look back to when you were 16 or if you have kids, their perspective at 16. I can't imagine my kids (21 & 24) having the responsibility and maturity of being an "artist" in NYCB as teenagers. I do think Martins should have been honest at their meeting and said that he didn't really see her in any of those roles. He could have advised her to attend rehearsals if she wanted to show him. It is offensive that principal dancer money is being spend in Nilas Martins. Sorry for the rambling - just some thoughts

Thank you so much for the link, a short but interesting interview.

But if you walk away thinking about the absence of beauty in a dancer's foot, then the problem gets worse, don't you think...? Not for me. If I walk away thinking "what beautiful feet" or "what a lack of instep" the performance is a failure.

Wow I thought I was the only one who loved that moment so much! Re - good feet. I really don't like noticing feet as a separate thing. Good feet complete/enhance a line whether it is an arabesque line or a line in the air (during a jump), and there are essential elements of strength and flexibility. If I walk away from a performance thinking about the arch or beauty of a dancer's foot, I think there is a problem.

Maybe his absences from the stage are connected to his recent injury or illness (I don't know which). Steifel is a very honest and dancer who always puts out to the fullest.

Does anyone know what principal dancers will be performing?

Sorry one more! Although he's a Dim Lustre when Push Comes to Shove he gets off Fancy Free. I had to get that off my chest. Sorry - no more!

Perhaps it was Miss Julie (who had a whip) joining forces with the Accused (who we all know was Lizzie Bordon with an Ax) who ran away to Dancers at a Gathering to do who knows what.

I'm sure the ABT pairing of a short ballet with Giselle preceded Baryshnikov. I remember seeing (back in the day) a Michael Smuin ballet, Pulcinella Variations (sp?), before Giselle. I don't know the history of ABT's pairing Giselle with another ballet, but I'm sure it goes back a ways.

Lucky Saratoga, it looks like Bouder is back - Firebird, Other Dances and Stars & Stripes.

That's true. She was supposed to alternate with Ansanelli. Ansanelli got injured so Fairchild did them all.

What an enjoyable evening. Here are a few of my take aways Serenade gave Kowroski a rare opportunity to do the waltz girl. Megan LeCrone and Teresa Reichlen were both outstanding - those girls can dance!! Waltz Project excerpts were well danced by all. It is always a treat to see Georgina Pazcoguin on the stage. Valse Fantaisie was a delight. Peck, Tworzyanski and corps members Collins, Johnson, Keenan and Sell were all having a great time as was the audience. I think it would be nice to have this lovely treat back in the rep. It is a small and delightful treasure. The Dances at a Gathering excerpt was very well done by Stephanie Zungre & David Prottas. For me it was a great introduction to Zungre, a dancer that I was unfamiliar with. In Sleeping Beauty ppd the pas was really lovely. Tyler Angle partnered the glowing Kathryn Morgan beautifully and seamlessly. His variation had some rough spots (which he'll have to clean up to be cast in this type of rep) but the overall impression was very positive. The Dancer's Perspective film was a delight. The visuals and he said/she said perspectives on partnering were funny and very human. I hope NYCB will show it at the theater and on its website. A few seconds is available on the website now. The Bouder ballet was fun and danced well by all. I loved the red sneakers. The Union Jack excerpt had me smiling the whole time, and reminded me of how masterful Balanchine was in so many ways. Jennifer Ringer was a lovely, warm and funny host, and we all got party favors to take home!! I did not see last year's Dancer's Choice, but after attending this year's, I'll do my best not to miss another one.

I just came back from the NYCB Dancer's Choice performance. I thought Jennifer Ringer did a great job. I'll post comments and thoughts about performances later. At the moment I just want to say it was a festive, fun evening and a warm and positive atmosphere prevailed. On an unrelated point. It was a great day for NYC performing arts. Earlier in the day I heard the amazing violist, Hilary Hahn, at a "free for all at town hall" concert. If anyone in or near NYC doesn't know about these concerts check it out on line. The final concert for the year is next Sunday.

I went to Sat. Mat. - Simkin & Boone replaced Cornejo (who was replacing Steifel) and Wiles. I really enjoyed it. I'm glad Simkin is going beyond the classical virtuoso roles. His very youthful look brought a different dimension to the role. I agree that Boone is wonderful in this roll, powerful, seductive and beautiful. All of the partnering went very well. The end of the ballet never fails to move me. For me the most moving moment of the evening. Desir - lets just say that dancers try to do a lot with a little. Murphy, Hoven, Lane, Hammoudi, Seo, Gomes and all the corps members did their best with what they had to work with. Gomes partnered Seo in what bordered on an acrobatic night club act. Dneiper - Ratmansky is a real choreographer, but this is my least favorite of his works that I've seen. He moves groups in a wonderful way that directs your eye (unlike Kudelka in Desir) and some of the solos were beautiful and meaningful, but I found the ballet too long. At times it was like he had more music to fill so he continued providing steps. I also disliked the moving trees and falling blossoms (I guess they were blossoms). I also have to say that Riccetto is not my cup of tea. Interestingly, a friend who was with me who has only seen ballet once before remarked - "He left Natalia because she is boring." That's how I feel. I've seen Riccetto as Lilac Fairy, in Mozartiana and in this. I always find her technically secure and uninteresting to watch. Like I said, not my cup of tea.

Funny there seems to be availability in all section now. I just purchased a 1st ring (row C) and 4th ring (row A). Were tickets being withheld for some reason? It should be a fun night. I agree about Ringer and can't wait to see what Bouder comes up with