scoop Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Not to distract from the very important main topic here, but what is Clinton's familial tie to ballet?? Link to comment
BalletNut Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 I believe Chelsea Clinton was or is a ballet dancer, or at least studied the art form. Link to comment
Alexandra Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Yes. Chelsea Clinton studied at the Washington School of Ballet until she graduated from high school. She often attended performances; her father would attend her recitals. Link to comment
coffee Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 I am not sure if you are really 'alowed' to say, but just out of curiousity, was she any good? or maybe if you can say if she had 'career potential' that would be more acceptable... Link to comment
Alexandra Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 I think in this era, no, because she didn't have the standard body, and I don't think she was a medal candidate. I only saw her in roles like the (tomboy) "Favorite Aunt" in Nutcracker, or a lyrical pas de deux, and she could hold the stage. What was interesting is to see how her posture and carriage changed year after year. By her senior year, she looked like a ballet dancer. Link to comment
Farrell Fan Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Anyone have recollections of dancer Ron Reagan? Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Sure, he was good-looking, partnered pretty well, had good mime skills, but there were curious gaps in his movement vocabulary from having started late. Link to comment
Alexandra Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 His father came to his performances, too Lovely to see all the Secret Service men lining the sides of Lisner Auditorium, looking everywhere except at the stage. Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Further, young Mr. Reagan had an engaging stage personality, which he used to greater advantage and to a wider audience on his TV show. He made a pleasant and comfortable conversation, and bright, too. This was sort of his downfall in talk TV, sort of a lesser Dick Cavett, "Sam, you made the talk too smart." His problem came in steps that "everybody else" can do. Not the pirouettes and jetés, but the gallumphing demi-character stuff like the "tombé-coupé-coupé" hornpipe sort of thing as in "Pineapple Poll". Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 i had some classes at the Stanley Holden school in los angeles in 1980, and there was at one point during the elections a sign on the board to the effect of 'students of the school are requested not to speak to members of the press regarding the reagan family'. Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Well, that was a while ago, so I think we're safe. Link to comment
Victoria Leigh Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Chelsea was an excellent student. Her progress in the years at WSB was in direct relationship to her intelligence, focus, and commitment. She made major changes in her physical appearance, and I think the training contributed greatly to her overall grace and aplomb as she matured into a very elegant young woman. She achieved the Release Time program and danced in Waltz of the Flowers in the WB's Nutcracker, in addition to her role as the Favorite Aunt. While she knew she did not have the physical facility for a classical dancer, she worked at it with the same determination and intensity as those who did, and her progress was quite amazing. In addition, she was always a total delight to work with and to know. She was extremely popular with her peers as well as with the faculty, and it was because of who she is as a person, and not because she was the President's daughter. I had enormous respect for her, and feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to teach her and to know her. Link to comment
Treefrog Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 What a lovely description, Victoria! Can we find a way to sneak it over to the dancers' board? I would so love for the dancers and their parents to read your high opinion of someone who knew she wasn't destined for a pro career, but still trained at (and to) the highest level she could. Link to comment
scoop Posted May 28, 2004 Author Share Posted May 28, 2004 I'm SO glad to know this! I've always admired how she handled the kind of life she was dealt as a president's daughter, and it warms my heart that her ballet education contributed to her development as a graceful -- in every way -- young woman. You should be very proud of the role you played in her life, Ms. Leigh! Link to comment
Alexandra Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 That was beautiful, Victoria! Thank you. I'd like to highlight this for the Moms and Dads board: She made major changes in her physical appearance, and I think the training contributed greatly to her overall grace and aplomb as she matured into a very elegant young woman. She could have been a walking advertisement for The Good Effects of Ballet Training. I think it helped her confidence as well. Link to comment
Victoria Leigh Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Thank you! Yes, I agree that she is definitely a most positive advertisement for the good effects of ballet training! However, I would stress that it was also her own work ethic and exceptional intelligence that made the difference...along with good training, of course Link to comment
Alexandra Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Be sure to stress that to the Moms and Dads, and young dancers, too! Link to comment
Petra Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 This board just reads my mind. I am reading 'Living History' and was ridiculously thrilled to find out how important ballet was to the Clinton family. In fact, I meant to post about it after finishing the book. For instance, before declaring his candidacy for President, Bill made sure that he would be available for important events in Chelsea's life (11 at the time, I think) such as the Arkansas Ballet's Nutcracker. Also, when they need 'cheering up', Hillary and Chelsea take a trip to NY to see ABT's Sleeping Beauty. Link to comment
atm711 Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 I saw a video clip of Chelsea once (Nutcracker) and I was impressed with her beautiful 'carriage'. Link to comment
Ed Waffle Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 I had enormous respect for her, and feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to teach her and to know her. I think it goes both ways. Chelsea was both privileged and lucky to have found a teacher as talented and dedicated as Victoria. Link to comment
Victoria Leigh Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 How lovely, Ed! Thank you Link to comment
Guest Enterprisecdr Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Ok..I haven't been on this board in a while but here goes... I live in Arkansas and before Clinton was inaugurated the first time, Chelsea and I took at the same studio. I was a few years younger than she but she was always very nice to us. She was one of the "big-girls"at the studio that we actually liked (most of them were not very nice). So far, what everyone has said about her is true. Just wanted to add my two cents. -Kat Link to comment
Balletmom Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 I am reading 'Living History' and was ridiculously thrilled to find out how important ballet was to the Clinton family. As another indication of the importance of ballet to the Clintons, the Smithsonian has included a pair of Chelsea's pointe shoes in an exhibit containing various presidential family artifacts. Regardless of politics, I feel most of us would applaud the Clintons for their dedication as parents. Link to comment
Alexandra Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 It's interesting that there has been so much dance connected to our First Families. Ron Reagan was a professional ballet dancer -- member of the Joffrey Ballet -- for a short time. Betty Ford had danced with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Mrs. Mondale had a keen interest in dance -- I forget whether she actually danced, but I know she was a patron and attended concerts. Bill Clinton would attend his daughter's "Nutcracker" performances. Chelsea Clinton would bring her friends to the ballet -- so at least, for a time, there was a tiny spotlight on dancing in political circles here. Link to comment
Victoria Leigh Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 Jackie Kennedy was a patron of ballet, and also brought her young daughter Caroline to the Washington School of Ballet. I'm not sure if she actually took classes or not, as she was very young, but I know Ms. Day has talked about her coming to the school. Link to comment
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