So this happened.
Saturday about 1pm Haglund was on a crowded northbound M11 bus on 10th Ave coming home from the gym. As the bus approached the 34th St stop, he was endorphin-laden relaxed and casually strumming his pickleball paddle. The bus door opened and on climbed a very tall elderly gentleman with a cane. He was dressed to the nines— so elegant that he could have been starring with George Clooney in Good Night, Good Luck in the live broadcast that night. He was accompanied by a younger middle-aged woman.
A passenger seated at the front got up and offered the elderly gentleman his seat. He sat down and immediately struck up a conversation with the young man directly across from him who, thankfully, was not the typical New Yorker who rides the M11. After exchanging their “very well, thank yous” the elderly gentleman sat up straight and announced, “We’re in town just for today. My granddaughter is graduating from the School of American Ballet.” He beamed. Could not hide his smile. “It’s the most prestigious ballet school in the country. My granddaughter is going to be in THREE ballets today!” The atypical M11 passenger opposite said how wonderful that was. The gentleman beamed like the warm sun which on this day was nowhere in sight — it was raining. He began explaining to the passenger opposite just what made ballet so beautiful and how hard all the dancers work. He professed his admiration for Tiler Peck who he said had recommended his granddaughter for something or other. He urged the passenger opposite to go to the ballet to see Tiler Peck in anything. The passenger thanked him with genuine kindness and exited through the back door at 42nd St.
On climbed a spry NYC-wise senior citizen, an attractive woman probably in her mid seventies, who sat down opposite the elderly gentleman. He immediately started flirting — acknowledging her energy and telling her to keep it up. She smiled back at him with a side wink and asked, “Are you visiting from out of town?” The elderly gentleman sat up straight, “We’re in town just for today. My granddaughter is graduating from the School of American Ballet.” He beamed. Could not hide his smile. The lady beamed back. The gentleman said that he was 79. The lady asked, “1945?” He replied, “1946.”
A couple of stops later, Haglund exited the bus. He had wanted so badly to join the conversation because he would be attending the evening SAB performance but it was just too wonderful sitting there observing this grandfather in his pride and joy. Whoever his granddaughter is, we hope she knows how lucky she is and what a joyful impact she has had on this man’s life.
Saturday evening’s SAB Workshop performance was outstanding. The kids from the Nutcracker party have grown up. The bugs from Midsummer Night’s Dream are navigating in pointe shoes. The young boys are now rumbling in Robbins’ Glass Pieces.
Raymonda Variations, staged by Suki Schorer, Lauren King and Gonzalo Garcia, was exquisitely led by Jaiya Chandra and Simeon Neeld. Soloists Charlotte Hall, Leah Carter, Lennon Sullivan, Simone Gibson, Renee Augustyn and Yeva-Mariia Skorenka dispatched the challenging choreography with poise and professionalism.
The upper divisions danced an excerpt from Cortege Hongrois staged by Aesha Ash. The dancers were impeccably drilled and unafraid of the obvious challenges before them. NYCB corps dancer Laine Habony choreographed a truly charming piece to Franz Schubert entitled Schubert Symphony for the lower division students. It was a perfect vehicle for these young students — a bit on the order of the Garland Dance — who were so ready to take over the audience. And did.
Robbins’ Akhnaten excerpted from his Glass Pieces for the upper division students closed the program. It was everything we saw from the main company this past spring on the main stage. Incredible energy, joy, all of it concentrated on living within an ensemble, for the ensemble, by the ensemble. The Capstone Class kids are about to go forward into the rest of their lives guided by the unique discipline, persistence, and citizenship values instilled in them at SAB. One doesn’t have to be a proud grandfather to be gratified by that.
8 responses to “6/7 Evening
School of American Ballet Workshop Performance”
Dearest Haglund, profuse thanks for this charming anecdote. I got emotional reading it. I find myself on the bus more often as I approach the evening of life and am pleasantly surprised by the amount of human interaction there is.
Dearest Haglund, profuse thanks for this charming anecdote. I got emotional reading it. I find myself on the bus more often as I approach the evening of life and am pleasantly surprised by the amount of human interaction there is.
Thanks much, Williams, and thanks for reading H.H. Someone could write a book about riding the M11.
Thanks much, Williams, and thanks for reading H.H. Someone could write a book about riding the M11.
What a wonderful story, and one I am sure you will never forget! You write well, Haglund (I seem to recall time spent at the prestigious Iowa writers workshop in a Miriam Miller post). I appreciate it.
I missed the Workshop this year, but will eagerly await new Apprentices being added to the roster. Thought we might see a promotion or two, but there is plenty of time for Gabriel and Dominika to move up, among others…
What a wonderful story, and one I am sure you will never forget! You write well, Haglund (I seem to recall time spent at the prestigious Iowa writers workshop in a Miriam Miller post). I appreciate it.
I missed the Workshop this year, but will eagerly await new Apprentices being added to the roster. Thought we might see a promotion or two, but there is plenty of time for Gabriel and Dominika to move up, among others…
Thank you, Lisa.
Thank you, Lisa.