Charles' Web Blog
Charles Maple, Director of the Maple Conservatory of Dance
The following is Charles' "web blog" on his attending the American Ballet Theatre Alumni Reunion in New York City in late May.
June 4, 2007
For weeks I had been hearing "What are you wearing? Are you going?" It was a day of oh-my-gosh-squealed greetings and conversations about the past. It was a day for the exchange of career news and family photographs. Three hundred-plus former American Ballet Theatre dancers converged on New York City from around the country for an alumni reunion on Saturday May 26, 2007.
ABT alumni members on stage at the Metropolitan Opera House
Curtains went up late before and during the intermission of the ABT performance of Symphonie Concertante and The Dream at the Metropolitan Opera House. The problem was that few of the 300 could tear themselves away from one another to take their seats. Alumni and special guests from every decade of American Ballet Theatre's last 67 years were in attendance for the weekend's activities.
Annabelle Lyon, 91 was the first ABT Giselle
It began with a special showing by students of ABT's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the Alvin Ailey Studios. An announcement was made during the showing about the new ABT curriculum and teacher training program that will begin in the Spring of 2008. How timely was that! Just what we wanted for our Conservatory! So many of my colleagues had already heard about, and were excited about, the new Maple Conservatory of Dance, and I've already received many offers from my former colleagues to teach Master Classes with us in support of our endeavor.
One of my favorite ballerinas, Cynthia Gregory
There were pre- and post-performance receptions. There were all of the typical reunion goings-on. Everyone was being checked out for looks, weight and wrinkles in between mini appetizers and white wine. It was all simply great, and overwhelming, at the same time to see everyone.
My longtime dance partner Cynthia Harvey
I hadn't been on the stage at the MET for over 20 years. Walking backstage and getting ready for our big moment was so intense and a thrill. Balloons rained down on us from overhead, and current company members mingled with those who originally created the ballets that they still dance today. What a hoot! A great time was had by all!
Susan Jaffe and my mentor Ivan Nagy
Bonnie Mathis, Ballet Mistress for Boston Ballet
Colleen O'Callaghan and
Franco De Vita, Director of ABT's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
Kirk Peterson, Artistic Director of ABT's Studio Company, Susan and Colleen
Charles A. Maple
Director,
Maple Conservatory of Dance
Email: info@mapleconservatory.com