Woodburn Avenue
My Mom's very first studio in Cincinnati was on Woodburn Avenue, and
I recall my first formal lessons there, with the Meretta twins, cousins, Michael and Peggy,Sue
Ellen Bowden(another neighbor), myself, my brother,
and a few other neighbors. The girls all wore little cotton dresses
with puff sleeves, matching puff panties,and a bow tied in back. The boys wore shorts and white Tee Shirts. I don't recall very much about the classes, but that for my brother and me, things went
downhill pretty quickly. We started to clown around. We thought
Mom was funny trying to speak English. Tyll would be really funny
doing everything comically, and mess it up, going the wrong way, or
at the wrong time. He had a real knack for timing, and could hit
the wrong beat every time. It drove Mom crazy. He would also climb
on the barre, wrap his legs under the barre and make noises like a
gorilla. He imitated animals quite well. She would grab his arm
with one hand, the ballet stick with the other, and head for the
bathroom, where she was gone for a while. They returned, and he
would be calm for a short period of time, only to start up again
soon after. I can see why she decided to give up on her desire to
pass on the art of ballet to her son. With me it was different.
After several visits to the bathroom, I decided I did not need to
act up. I could be calm for the class, and do what was required. I
did end up leaving her classes for a few years, to return as an
assistant when I was 11. I did not stop helping (except for the
four years I taught College in Tarkio, MO). My involvement
encompassed about 50 years.
One of our first recital dances was the Twin Dance. Of course, the twins danced together, and then I was paired with Sally Flax. As my mother said to me, "She looks more
like you than you do..." My grandfather had tried to talk German to
her, when he had seen her once. There were three other couples
dressed alike, including my cousin Peggy, and the audience was amazed, how
my mother could have found so many sets of twins(she had not!) I
did enjoy the idea, and the dance. I also recall a special dance
with my cousin Michael, who was the prince, and I was the princess.
I felt so special, because my dress was long white silk with silver
edging, and I wore a crown. I can recall some of those steps
today. I mourn the loss of my cousin today, who died at a young
age, a wonderful generous person.
I also recall dancing a bourree in a true basket hoop skirt, with other dancers. Once I was
a water lily. I guess the dances you learn are truly imprinted in
your mind. I remember being on pointe the first time, as a junior
snowflake in a real tutu. I was so excited, but that was not my
strength. It was hard for me to get it all together, and I'm not so
sure I did so well. However, I'm sure my mother would not have let
me perform without living up to her standards. I wonder, do all
young struggling dancers recall their dances like I
did?
I recall my first formal lessons there, with the Meretta twins, cousins, Michael and Peggy,Sue
Ellen Bowden(another neighbor), myself, my brother,
and a few other neighbors. The girls all wore little cotton dresses
with puff sleeves, matching puff panties,and a bow tied in back. The boys wore shorts and white Tee Shirts. I don't recall very much about the classes, but that for my brother and me, things went
downhill pretty quickly. We started to clown around. We thought
Mom was funny trying to speak English. Tyll would be really funny
doing everything comically, and mess it up, going the wrong way, or
at the wrong time. He had a real knack for timing, and could hit
the wrong beat every time. It drove Mom crazy. He would also climb
on the barre, wrap his legs under the barre and make noises like a
gorilla. He imitated animals quite well. She would grab his arm
with one hand, the ballet stick with the other, and head for the
bathroom, where she was gone for a while. They returned, and he
would be calm for a short period of time, only to start up again
soon after. I can see why she decided to give up on her desire to
pass on the art of ballet to her son. With me it was different.
After several visits to the bathroom, I decided I did not need to
act up. I could be calm for the class, and do what was required. I
did end up leaving her classes for a few years, to return as an
assistant when I was 11. I did not stop helping (except for the
four years I taught College in Tarkio, MO). My involvement
encompassed about 50 years.
 |
| Me, Mom, Tyll looking so joyful at another class at the new studio on Woodburn Avenue |
One of our first recital dances was the Twin Dance. Of course, the twins danced together, and then I was paired with Sally Flax. As my mother said to me, "She looks more
like you than you do..." My grandfather had tried to talk German to
her, when he had seen her once. There were three other couples
dressed alike, including my cousin Peggy, and the audience was amazed, how
my mother could have found so many sets of twins(she had not!) I
did enjoy the idea, and the dance. I also recall a special dance
with my cousin Michael, who was the prince, and I was the princess.
I felt so special, because my dress was long white silk with silver
edging, and I wore a crown. I can recall some of those steps
today. I mourn the loss of my cousin today, who died at a young
age, a wonderful generous person.
I also recall dancing a bourree in a true basket hoop skirt, with other dancers. Once I was
a water lily. I guess the dances you learn are truly imprinted in
your mind. I remember being on pointe the first time, as a junior
snowflake in a real tutu. I was so excited, but that was not my
strength. It was hard for me to get it all together, and I'm not so
sure I did so well. However, I'm sure my mother would not have let
me perform without living up to her standards. I wonder, do all
young struggling dancers recall their dances like I
did?
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