DavidO Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 My mother who will be 90 this month, was recalling being trained by Cleo Nordi. This would be about 1951-53. Her name then was Hildagarde Sommer, a nurse and French speaker. I was wondering if there was anyone still around who might have trained with Cleo Nordi at her private studio? Quote Link to comment
Helene Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Welcome to Ballet Alert!, DavidO: I hope you can get a good answer or lead here. Quote Link to comment
Maria Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Hello everybody, and especially DavidO and his Ma, Hildegard, I have very fond memories of Madame Cleo Nordi. She took me on when I was 5 years old! She also organised my first ever appearance on stage in a lovely piece, part of a show by her pupils, where I played Little Red Riding Hood, aged 6. I think they had trouble getting me off the stage. Only now when I am the age she was then, I realise with gratitude what a radiant and spiritual woman she was. She was uncannily skilled at releasing the freedom of movement with a tremendous holding discipline. When I twisted my ankle, she sent me to a wonderful English osteopath who had trained in Japan, I think, who discovered that the real problem was in the spine. She fixed it. I was never destined to be a ballerina, but I am walking to Compostella and what strength I have for that is partly due to her inspired and gentle encouragement all those years ago. Finally, I note she has an entry on Wikipedia. Best to you all, Maria Quote Link to comment
ashley Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 On 9/30/2018 at 9:06 PM, DavidO said: My mother who will be 90 this month, was recalling being trained by Cleo Nordi. This would be about 1951-53. Her name then was Hildagarde Sommer, a nurse and French speaker. I was wondering if there was anyone still around who might have trained with Cleo Nordi at her private studio? I went to one of Madame Nordi's classes (regrettably only the one) when she was teaching at The Place. I went with the late Elaine MacDonald ( we were both with Western/Scottish Ballet). Elaine was a very close to Cleo Nordi, I think. Quote Link to comment
Will W Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 A good friend, Rosemary Jourdan the ballerina, now in her 80s remembers Madam Nordi well and very fondly. She took lessons with her in London and on her return to the US joined the American Ballet Theatre. This is Rosemary dancing in Miss Julie https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/american-ballet-theatre-dancer-rosemary-jourdan-in-miss-news-photo/692208689 I see Mme Nordi has this page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleo_Nordi Quote Link to comment
christie Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 My mother (died 2018) was trained by Cleo. cleo discovered her one evening in "club land" a wartime hold out where people like Laurence olivier used to teach children to act. cleo nordi taught me mother entirely for free, because she considered her so talented, and became one of the youngest dancers ever to enter sadler's wells. She then was taken over 250 others to play in the film the RED SHOES. Quote Link to comment
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