Joseph Pilates Quote of the Week:

Joseph Pilates Quote of the Week:

"The art of contrology proves that the only real guide to your true age lies not in years or how you THINK you feel but as you ACTUALLY are as infallibly indicated by the degree of natural and normal flexibility enjoyed by your spine throughout life." ~Return to Life Through Contrology

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Sad Goodbyes...

       
     This is a photo of me from about 23 years ago at the beautiful school where I studied ballet with amazing teachers and dancers. This is the Orcutt-Botsford School of Dance (otherwise known as the Enid Knapp Botsford School of  Dance) in East Rochester, NY. After Mr. Orcutt's death, the school was purchased by St. John Fisher College, which you can see on the right side of this photo. Sadly, the college chose to dismiss Enid Knapp Botsford's wishes of keeping this amazing spot in the world for world-class ballet training. Instead, the college is moments away from demolishing it to create space for a new school of business.  My heart breaks every time I think of this happening. How fortunate I was to be one of the last generations to learn the art of ballet here from esteemed teachers such as Luba Gulyaeva, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Jurgen Schneider. At the time, I took the facility for granted, not realizing that most young aspiring dancers do not get to set foot in a place like this. After having a career as a professional ballet dancer as well as a ballet teacher, I now know how special, rare, and irreplaceable this place is. I am saddened that art is once again disregarded. Two others who have graduated from the school have written this lovely article: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20120517/OPINION02/120516005/Remembering-Enid-Knapp-Botsford-School-Dance
Many memories go along with this school, and those can't be demolished so easily.

4 comments:

  1. Thank you for such a touching commentary. I will share this on the Botsford FB page and elsewhere. It is indeed a sad moment for any of us who trained at this incredible institution and who were who were moved and influenced by the maverick that was ENID BOTSFORD. Let's keep spreading the news of this haven for the arts and keep the ideals alive in our work and lives.

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  2. Sharing the love of arts is the only answer to a situation like this. Thank you for your dedication in doing so!

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  3. Hello, all. I've just been to the Diaghilev exhibit at the Nat'l Gallery of Art, which led me to thinking of the Orcutt's and all of you. How very sad to hear that St. JF has demolished such a wonderful space and important bit of history for the community. It truly is heartbreaking, but we do have all of our wonderful memories and, I guess, we ourselves are now the living legacy of this remarkable place. Warm regards, Cynthia Gears El-Naggar (Washington, DC)

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    1. Thank you, Cindy, for your warm thoughts. Well stated, and much appreciated! Jess

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