Classroom Confidential: TMI and Honorable Mentions
Happy Birthday this month August to Kevin G, Jessica B. (aka Mona), & Curtis E. (aka teachers pet)!...Visit here for all the events and special activities commemorating Ailey's 50th Anniversary!...Adesina S. and wife have another baby on board, congrats!...Atsu is in Tokyo and just opened as a G.I. in Miss Saigon directed by Fred Hunson till October, then in Fukuoka prefecture till March. Check class pictures for his G.I. mug…Chris D. producer, is back from Fire Island Dance Festival where they raised over $306,000 for DRA. Be a dancer responding with action. Visit DRA on the web. What you do as a dancer can make a huge difference in our community…Bonnie C. and Keiko S. are partying in Honolulu the end of this month!...Chris P. and Elsa just had a baby girl Cora. Congrats to the new parents. See announcement in class pics…Milena A. has been taking summer classes at Adelphi and also is a private trainer at Equinox…Yeah Liz G. and Alec are back in classes…Have you seen the beautiful cat on Paula's cast? Her son David sketched it...Marty S., producer of At Hand Theatre Company, hasn't been in class cuz he's putting on several new plays. See the performance section of this newsletter for details…Alice R-H. is currently immersed into the Miesner Acting Technique along with her Columbia studies…Ben B. has even more Zumba classes at Ailey Extension - Mon & Fri 12:30, and wow are they fun. Check out Zumba soon!...Congrats to all our Rockette classmates returning to the Christmas show this year!..During the whole month of July, Regina and Marina, our Italian dance friends, performed a show based on the Roman traditions created by a famous Italian guitarist, dancing every evening in a suggestive place called "Garden of the orange tree", from which all Rome can be seen. They report it was a beautiful experience!...Liz K. shares this with us: FYI Ballet featured as Trendy Workout on Today Show…Bretigne will be in town from the west coast this month. Here she shares pix of her son Griffon's trip to a local goat farm…Earth, the Sun, and the Moon will align in a celestial ballet on Friday August 1st, rewarding China, where the first record of an eclipse was made more than 4,000 years ago, with a dazzling show…Have you checked out Movmnt Magazine yet? What are you waiting for? Check out Taylor G.'s articles, plus a ton of other great features. Maybe even subscribe!...Gretchen D. has been missing class. She is recovering with Lyme disease, however she does have the same birth date as Cyd Charisse, I'm so darn glad someone reads the ballerina of the month. I was thinking of dropping that section of the newsletter…Christi C. is visiting us this month finally from her new home in Texas. Congrats on your new South Texas non-profit…Richard C., our deepest heartfelt condolences for the passing of your dear poppa. We celebrate his life with you through dance, please join us soon…Ballet-dance magazine's focus on AAADT June 2008…Emma S. will be dancing a lead role in the Opera Harnasie, at Bard's Summerscape Festival. See details in the performance corner…Todd H. on another romance novel cover? Woo hoo you look hot. See for yourself in class pictures...See Royce Z. in class pictures performing at 2005 Fire Island Dance Festival...Miriam K. last night attended a performance in Lake Placid in the Adirondacks where she is spending the summer (not dancing).

*Andros on Baronova (1919 - 2008): Check out Mr. A's website full of ballet history and witty insights on ballet. Mr. A is a dear friend, teacher and mentor to Kat. He has the answers to all those ballet questions we ALL need tutu know.

Taylor's Tales
A column by our webmaster, Taylor.

Dancing Family
If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to raise a dancer. And I have been more than lucky to find my home to grow in Kat's ballet classes.

Recently I was offered my first full time professional dancing job, an opportunity that would mean leaving my city of dreams to have a lifelong wish come true. After many complications and much consideration I'm still in the process of figuring out if I can seize the opportunity, but the thought of leaving New York made me consider how much I have here, and why I call it home after just 3 years.

Kat's was the first ballet class I took here in NYC that wasn't a nail-biting audition. I had just turned 17 and was living in a college dorm with typical college kids who wanted to party on their first Friday night in Manhattan. I was not one of them. Instead of hitting the booze I burned for the barre and ventured to the old Broadway Dance Center for any ballet class happening that night. Little did I know what I was walking in to.

I spent two years training in the city, only finding time to sneak to Kat's class on holidays (or, admittedly, when I'd skip a college class or two...). When I finished my last leg of "ballet school" last June the only option that made sense was to plunge into open classes at Alvin Ailey's Extension Program.

And a year later, I have so much more than just maintained technique. Not only are these classes my safety net and my mental escape, but my fellow students, and Kat, have become my family.

I've been immersed in the dance world for a long time and never have I found such a supportive environment. Yasmine was the empty ear to cradle my complaints. Alice was the smile I always needed. Gregory was the strong hand holding me up. I would like to name all of you who have had such an impact on me but there is not the space!

And Kat. Where can I begin? All we do as young dancers is strive for the affection of our teachers. We work endless hours to perfect technique for mere acknowledgement. Until now I had often felt on the other side of the net from those leading the studio - forcing myself against someone who would never approve no matter my (overdone) work ethic.

Kat has believed in me more than I ever have in myself at times. She has nurtured confidence. She has taught a healthier approach. She has rekindled my absolute love of dance. She has yelled at me. She has cried with me. We have laughed. She has advised beyond the call of duty.

Every time I stand at the barre to begin plies to Vladimir's familiar notes I smile inside. This is home, whether I stay here this year or go far to perform. And I am forever grateful for this family.

Kat's Monthly Mailbag
*Mrs. Wildish, I was a visitor in your ballet and pointe class yesterday at Alvin Ailey from Seaford Dance Center in Seaford, Delaware. I just wanted to thank you so much for the classes. I learned so much from your teaching and had so much fun. Your passion and love for what you do truly shows and makes a world of difference. You have such a great personality and it makes the class so much more fun and energetic. Thank you once again for the great experience! I had an awesome time dancing with you. –A.H.

Dear A.H. Thanks so much for your kind words, it was a joy and pleasure to have you attend class, please come back soon. K!

*Dear Kat, Thank you so much for your terrific newsletter---would you kindly include me on your email list? It's such a wonderful collection of information and generosity. (I had no idea Cyd Charisse's real name was Tula Ellice Finklea!) Best wishes,YM

Dear YM welcome to the mailing list, it's a pleasure to share it with you and so many others, Thanks for you note. All my best, Kat

And Finally...
Re've'rence:
**Gladys Celeste Mercader was a familiar face in the ballet world with a career spanning over 40 years as rehearsal pianist and performance soloist at American Ballet Theatre, Feld Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Ohio Ballet. The ballet world will miss her indeed and cherish her most beautiful music.
"Gladys brought charm and style to everything she did. For 48 years, she lightened up the hallways of ABT with her open and friendly smile – welcoming everyone who passed thought the doorways of 890 Broadway. She was an encouraging and supportive force in rehearsals, always bringing a sense of fun with a wink and a smile. She loved ABT and everyone who worked here. We will all miss her greatly." From:Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director ABT & Rachel Moore, Executive Director ABT

*Madame Hélène Dudin was a former soloist with the Kiev State Theater of Opera. It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of former School of American Ballet faculty member, Madame Dudin. She began teaching at SAB in 1954. Over the next 47 years she would train scores of students in classical ballet. She died on July 24, 2008 at the age of 88. She is survived by a son, two grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was a beloved member of the SAB family and she will be greatly missed.


*If you no longer care to receive this monthly newsletter, please just let me know and I'll remove you from the list. Anything else you wanna let me know, just email me at kat_wildish@yahoo.com. Thanks, and drink lotz o' water!