Dancers: What are you doing this summer?

First of all, to be clear, the company members live in Tulsa. They own or rent homes, have significant others and children. They buy groceries, attend farmer's markets, eat out and make local friends, just like the rest of the citizens of Tulsa. But they do have the pleasure of a 6-week "off-season." So what do they do with their time off? I asked the dancers what their plans are before rehearsals start back up in early August. Here are some of the responses I received:


I go back to Italy every summer to visit my family and to see my friends! I enjoy the amazing weather, the great food and the best wine in the world!
Alberto Montesso

My husband Yann and I are taking our one-year-old daughter Sanya to the south of France to meet her grandparents! Then I go to Estes Park, Colorado to perform as a guest artist.
Alexandra Bergman

I’ll spend some time at home with my mum, dad and my little dogs, then I’m going to Rome to visit a very good friend and take ballet classes there. Then I'll go to London to visit my older sister and my twin because they are living and working there right now in order to learn English. I’m excited to spend part of my vacation there with them!!
Federica Bagnera

I am in Japan for the next six weeks, starting in Osaka and working my way to Tokyo. I will be visiting friends from Tulsa Ballet and spending two weeks Farming in Shiga. I am already having an amazing adventure!
Ian Buchanan

I'm traveling this summer with Leah (Gallas). We are going to China to see Ke Da, Yi and Ma. I'm very exciting to see them and their country, their culture, and of course their food!! And then Leah is coming to Japan with me. I cannot wait to show her my world!
Hanae Seki

I'm staying in Tulsa, teaching the Adult Classes every Monday and Wednesday. I'm also beginning a project with former Tulsa Ballet member Megan McKown Miller, which will be at the PAC in August. Teaching and choreographing is something I hope to do in the near future.
Joshua Stayton
(He's also the official dog sitter for the traveling dancers!)

Kate (Oderkirk) and I will be relaxing on the beaches of Southern California and visiting her family in San Diego.
Nathan McGinnis

Response to Critics

As many of you know, Tulsa Ballet is set to perform tonight at Ballet Across America in Washington DC. 8 other companies are also performing in this festival, meant to showcase the best ballet companies from across the country. I had the pleasure of observing the first evening of dance, with performances by Suzanne Farrell's company, Houston Ballet and North Carolina Ballet. Now, I won't go into any review of these companies, because I'm not a dancer nor a critic.

In talking with other audience members and also reading the reviews by real critics, I was reminded of an editorial I recently came across. The editorial was a response to critiques, not about these ballets in particular, but about dance critiques in general, and I think it is apropos here.

"Why are we so unwilling to view taste in art the same way we view taste in food? Let's say, for example, you don't like brie. You're not wrong about that -- how can you be? -- it's your taste. But, at the same time, I'm not wrong to like it. Plus, if you want to, you can develop a taste for brie just by trying the stuff a few times. Once you've developed taste for brie, that doesn't mean you have to like all brie, or that you can no longer appreciate Cheezits, or that you've become a snob: it just means you've educated your palate.

Taste in art is the same. It's not innate or monolithic, but dynamic: it can be broadened and refined over a lifetime. Isn't that the pleasure of a lifelong encounter with art -- discovering what else you can understand, can resonate with, can love?" Michele Steinwald

Food for thought.