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Quinton Hallett
Monday, June 5, 2006 |
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To Gerry Arpino and our dear Joffrey dancers, friends, and fearless FOJs from the Los Angeles 1980s...
Dennis Gould and I send you all our love and fondest wishes for the Joffrey 50th. WISH we could be there with you. Please have a fabulous weekend, enjoy old memories and make new ones and take pictures which you might upload to the website later. Know that I miss many of you and your stunning performances which are etched in my mind and heart forever. The Joffrey is indeed the best of the best! Good luck to each of you with whatever you are doing now. May you live long and prosper!!
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Kirby again
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 |
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So, Patrick you like the poll & quiz pages? I like the message board of "remember when". Oh and I remember when alright, only I aint talking. Not without professional consultation. I don't see anyone else talkin' either. I mean, damm, I have amends to make and statutes of limitations to concider! I don't know about anybody else but I don't recall always being on MY best behavior. Unless, well, I could clean it up a bit. Recalling a few odd moments of decency. Gimme some time, I'll get back on this. Love to all, Kirby
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Patrick Corbin again
Thursday, May 25, 2006 |
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I really like the poll and quiz pages.
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Mhari Wilson-McLaughlin
Sunday, April 30, 2006 |
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Daughter of Brunilda Ruiz and the late, great John Wilson.....I am doing my best to get out there!
I haven't seen most of you for 30 years or so..I hope to make it from Boise, Idaho.....
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Jennifer Mattingly Rareshide
Sunday, March 26, 2006 |
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Wow - How exciting to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Joffrey Ballet! I still have my jacket from the 30th. My few years with Joffrey II and the opportunity to be in the premieres of La Fill Mal Gardee, Le Sacre Du Printemps and The Nutcracker were amazing. The memories of summers in San Antonio with Mr. Joffrey are so vivid - what a truly wondeful man is was. I hope to be in Chicago to share the memories with old friends. Until then I will catch the performance in New Orleans in May!
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David Nash
Wednesday, March 8, 2006 |
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A fitting tribute to the incredible artistry in and around the Joffrey Ballet, a company that helped define the dance of the 20th and now 21st centuries. Congratulations to all!
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Tracy (Julias) Shields
Tuesday, March 7, 2006 |
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Wow! What a great opportunity to both meet and reacquaint with the entire Joffrey legacy. It goes without saying that there will be an overwhelming number of alumni that are both inspiring and inspired themselves by the many great artists that make up the history of Joffrey. I really look forward to seeing everyone in June....
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Pamela Johnson Tanis
Monday, March 6, 2006 |
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I look forward to seeing many friends from the Joffrey Family, at the 50th anniversary gathering.. I will miss some of our dear friends who can't be with us, Eric Goodman, Becky Wright, Basil Thompson , Gregg Huffman, Scott Barnard and several others who I will always remember.
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Elizabeth (Molak) Huebner
Friday, March 3, 2006 |
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This will only happen once in a lifetime! I am so looking forward to catching up with everyone at the reunion. My time dancing with the Joffrey is still an inspiration in my every day life! Mr. Arpino has always been such a big influece on my dancing and every now and then in my teaching I will give my students a ZAH, BABY! They know what I mean. Get that leg up! Thanks for all the planning and hope to have a momento to take home from the reunion to share with my husband and three girls!
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Gay Wallstrom Mayfield
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 |
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A celebration for the 50th anniversary is such an exciting idea. It will be great to get together.
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Lisa Slagle Nicholson
Monday, February 13, 2006 |
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I am looking forward to seeing many old friends from the 1970's, but will miss the ones who cannot be with us. I was recently in touch with Rebecca Wright, who before finding how seriously ill she was, was really looking forward to attending the reunion. We will all miss her!
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Donna Ross
Sunday, February 12, 2006 |
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This reunion has a special meaning for me as I was born the same year (1956...though not in a station wagon...) as was The Joffrey Ballet! There are other parallels in our lives as well: I left my beloved NYC to find new opportunities in the heartland. Dante's "Inferno" has played a major role in my life as I returned to college (Columbia University) where I now have a degree in Italian Literature.
Joffrey II and The Joffrey Ballet taught talented,
young stars of smaller companies the day-in, day-out discipline of professional excellence: consistency, standards, looking at the "big picture" of a production to see how each and every dancer fit into the whole.
No another company in the world does productions such as "Petrushka" and "Les Patineurs" with such faithful attention to detail as those of Robert Joffrey's revivals. As forward-looking as Bob and Gerry could be, they also have a deep respect for the past. To quote Robert Joffrey in his postcard to me for opening night of the first revival of "La Vivandiere":
"Donna, tonight, you are making history..."
Donna Ross
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Rachel Ganteaume Richards
Sunday, February 12, 2006 |
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When I left my country, Trinidad, to be a student at American Ballet Center as it was then called I hardly dared to dream that an island girl would be given the opportunity to dance with the Joffrey Ballet. Mr. Joffrey gave me that opportunity and I am forever grateful. I still take pride in once being the "do-do fairy"! I look forward to seeing you all in June. And thank you Lynne et al for making this happen.
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Trinette Singleton Washer
Sunday, February 5, 2006 |
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Although I have stayed in touch with several of "The Joffrey Family" over the years, there are so many more that I look forward to seeing again this June!
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Henry A. Young
Wednesday, February 1, 2006 |
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I learned only yesterday of the passing of Rebecca Wright. I can still see her dancing Titania in The Dream as well as Deuce Coupe. She had such an amazing presence and fleet footwork, plus an ever joyful American spirit. I am deeply sorry she will not be at the 50th. Anniversary.
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Henry A Young
Tuesday, January 24, 2006 |
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Daring to follow the imagination beyond what seemed possible - IS the genetic characteristic of The Joffrey Ballet.
Robert used to say if art were to disappear; it would alter humanity as radically as any evolutionary trauma to its genetic structure. For him dance was life. It mattered so much that from the age of a child he was willing to sacrifice almost everything for it. From his earliest boyhood day dreams he thought if it could be imagined, it could be done, but Mary Ann Wells reminded him, “Learn to dance first, Robert.” Robert Joffrey would be 78 years old if he were alive today but I am sure he will be twiddling that pencil and looking for his strawberry's as this Gala Celebration takes place. Many thanks for Gerald Arpino for sticking with it and insuring the company's work found a permanent home.
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Celeste (Jabczenski) Crocenzi
Friday, January 6, 2006 |
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Thank you for organizing this reunion. Wouldn't miss it for the world! I so look forward to connecting with the special people that molded and shaped my dancing career.
Celeste
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Michael Bjerknes
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 |
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The Joffrey Ballet for me is still the place where I find wonderful artists; where I learn about myself, my art and renew my passion for dance. June in Chicago is beautiful and I hope to see many of those who shaped me in the 70's and 80's!
Congratulations to the company on its new home!
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Diane Orio Gerberg
Monday, December 5, 2005 |
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My years at the Joffrey were some of the best moments in my life. I grew up there and learned all there was to know about dance. I have met some amazing people and have them as friends to this day. Working with Mr. Joffrey as a dancer and then later as ballet mistress have taught me invaluable lessons that I have used in life as well as passed on to my students. My time teaching with Mr. Joffrey at the San Antonio Workshop has a special place in my heart and I have returned to teach there once again. I am looking forward to the reunion to see you all again.
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Janey (Kawaguchi) Campbell
Friday, November 11, 2005 |
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Hi! Are any of you '70s folks going to the reunion? Russell? Larry? Pam? Gary? Christian? Where is everyone?
And hello Herb Migdoll, if you are out there reading.
Love, Janey
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Michael Uthoff
Thursday, October 27, 2005 |
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What a time!!! What a company!!! the 60's changed much and Mr Joffrey and the company changed the way people looked at dance.
What joy to have been part of that history and be surrounded by such talent.
Michael
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Roger Plaut
Sunday, September 25, 2005 |
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Johanna, I feel the same way--I grew up during my years in Joffrey II and the main company. I have so many memories of those years, mostly good, some not so good, but all very vivid. We were a family, and we supported each other and helped each other in so many ways. What a wonderful time.
I hope I can make it in June. If not, at least it's great to be back in touch with everyone!
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Laurence Blake
Wednesday, September 7, 2005 |
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I feel very blessed to have been a part of this diverse and unique company. My years working with both Mr. Joffrey and Mr. Arpino were not only informative but awe inspiring. And what can you say about the many dancers, who made the work come to life with their talent and artistry. I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones at the reunion.
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Patrick Corbin
Tuesday, May 31, 2005 |
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The Joffrey was by far the greatest ballet company ever! The rep was incredible and the unique dancers were an inspiration to all. What a vision what a place!
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Johanna Snyder Butow
Monday, May 30, 2005 |
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My years at the Joffrey School, Joffrey II, and then in the company, were the most amazing years of my life... I grew up during that incredible time with all the amazing people that I met and danced with. I am grateful to have had the chance to dance for Mr. Joffrey and Mr. Arpino! I have such vivid memories of all my friends faces and the places that we performed are forever in my heart.
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Cynthia Giannini Gottlob
Sunday, May 29, 2005 |
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Joffrey was a place where dreams could become reality.
Where selfishly, one pursued perfection.
Living for the moments where one was lost in movement and music.
What an unforgettable time! Arpino always said "The time is now!" He was so right.
Looking back on such an important time in my life, those fifteen years are now just an amazing memory.
Cynthia Giannini
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Randall Graham
Sunday, May 29, 2005 |
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My short time in the company was an invaluable experience. I could never have dreamed that a bowlegged- swaybacked- chicken farmerwith bad feet!... from East Texas could have gotten to dance with one of the best companies in the world!... and at such beautiful venues!...The first time I saw Arpino's Suite St. Saens and Light Rain knew that that was where I wanted to be. (Still to this day my favorite pieces ever).....I draw on the experiences from my Joffrey days daily in my teaching and choreographing to help motivate my students to become more than I was... and am...Looking forward to my first student joining the company someday...Hi everybody.....
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Jerry Kokich
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 |
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My years with The Joffrey Ballet were the best of my life and Mr. Joffrey, Mr. Arpino and everyone I worked with, even Todd ;), all hold special places in my heart.
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Tina LeBlanc
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 |
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My years at Joffrey were invaluable! I hope to reconnect with alot of my old friends if I can make it to this reunion. Congratulations to everyone for having made this possible!
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Jonathan McPhee
Tuesday, May 24, 2005 |
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The years spent with Mr. Joffrey & Gerry Arpino were very special. The value they placed on creating new works, faithfully preserving the past, and developing communicators, not just terrific dancers, has been one of life's best lessons. From the great artists who worked with us and shaped our performances to that special comradeship that we shared as young performers on the road, those were unforgetable memories.
Congratulations as Joffrey celebrates 50 years of art!
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Lynne Chervony Belsky
Tuesday, May 10, 2005 |
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I hope you will all come to visit with friends and family here in Chicago. June is a beautiful time of year in our fair city. Gerry wants to see all of you and so do I.
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