Miss Janine sends greetings from New York City!

Well I promised updates to my Spokane dancers, and although I have been here eight days, I have been so busy I have not had a chance to update once! The first five days were very long days, packed full of intense ballet study, with some incredible ballet teachers. Legends like David Howard and Violette Verdy (whom I absolutely love!) are here, as are Mignon Furman, Bryan Loftin, and Galina Samsova, who all have so much to offer. We have had full days with classes in everything from teaching musicality to refining the teaching of pointe work to learning both new and traditional enchainements. The teachers of our intensive have studied with some of incredible ballet teachers from many many years ago (Ms. Furman claims to have been dancing since "since the ark was built"), and they had many stories to share.

The past few days have been spent trying to find a balance between study of the different teaching methods we have been studying (my brain is literally overflowing!), and for enjoying all that Manhattan has to offer. I have spent some time in the city relaxing in Central Park ...my photo above, taken from inside the park, displays the the buildings that line Central Park south and Fifth Avenue, depicting what an absolute oasis this park is for New Yorkers desperate for a little room to breathe! While in the park, I visited the zoo (Polar Bears, Penguins and bats were the highlight!), studied in the sunshine at the lake in the park, visited the Bethesda Fountain, and sat and worked on deciphering my notes at the Chess and Checkers house. Later I traveled to lower Manhattan to do some shopping. It's a little disheartening to see all the cute heels when I can't wear them...yet! I searched, but Manolo Blahnik has yet to design anything chic in aircasts...:)

I also made a trip to lower Manhattan to visit Ground Zero, but was disappointed to find that the “wall of heroes”, which I visited a couple of years ago, is still completely blocked off due to construction. I was so moved when I visited last, I was hoping to see what progress has been made on the memorial. Although they are working constantly, no progress is visible yet. other than what one can view over the fence. I will be happy to go back and see the Memorial once it is complete.

Yesterday I made a day trip to "the other Washington" D.C. of course, visiting the White House, the Capital Building, The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, and my real reason for this day trip to DC, to visit both the Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, “the wall’. Such an emotional experience, it’s a place where I wish I could spend more time. An incredible wall with way too many names. :(

I will catch “A chorus Line” tonight…the true dancer’s musical, and one of my favorites. After an incredible run, it is closing in 10 days, so am very happy to see it before it closes. It is starring Mario Lopez, who is quite well known, but also some lesser known but amazing dancers.

I plan to attend a performance of poetry in Damrosch Park, a beautiful outdoor theatre in Lincoln Center, and possibly another show! Never enough time to fit everything in!

I miss everyone, but it seems that Susie and Cheryl are holding Inland Northwest Ballet together pretty well...will be happy to see all that visit our open house next week...:)

One thing I also miss is my 7 minute commute to the studio...To get where I have needed to go, I have taken a couple of planes, several cabs, the railroad train twice almost daily, the subway several times, a couple of buses, and even a pedicab. Although thanks to my laptop I can get a lot done when commuting, it makes you truly appreciate how clean your own car is!

Dancers...stay in shape, continue your stretching and your core work...classes begin in three and a half weeks! Good luck to those dancers who are competing in the Coeur d'alene Kids Triathlon coming up soon...Can't wait to hear all about your fun day!

I have taken many terrific photos, I will try to post a few in my next update!