Category Archives: Ballet

My ballerina, Jewel, will be competing with her ballet ensemble on Sunday night in NYC at the Youth America Grand Prix. She will be on stage on Sunday, April 14th between 9:40-10:30pm EST,  and if you’re interested, you can watch her … Continue reading →

“Guys at school say ballet isn’t a real sport. They laugh at me and say, “Look, she even RUNS like a dancer!” Well, I’d like to see them TRY one pirouette. On pointe.” –Jewel Don’t worry about the haters, baby. … Continue reading →

This past Monday, Jewel could hardly dance. She had fresh corns on her baby toes and they were swollen, red and painful. It was the worst possible timing. January is audition season for summer intensives and Jewel was planning on … Continue reading →

I’m deeply ensconced in book writing. Just hit 11,000 words. I am so proud of it this time. I really feel like this is my very best work. I can’t wait for you to read this book! In the meantime, … Continue reading →

Ballet is exquisite, living art. It is a transcendent combination of music and movement. What gives ballet its luminous magic is that these dancers perform nearly impossible, supremely difficult steps and make it look effortless, light as air, ethereal. It … Continue reading →

Hope deferred makes the heart sick and now I know what that means. Remember, they said, always live for eternity and so I toiled for some future time, some future place. I never learned how to live in this beautiful … Continue reading →

My ballerina performed in a big dance competition last weekend. I was expecting fierce ballet rivalry but her team scored a few top awards. Why? Two simple reasons: 1. They’re good and, 2. 99% of the competing dances were a … Continue reading →

“Dad’s shaving cream makes me smell like a guy,” my ballerina remarks one day after showering in my bathroom. “Did you use his shaving cream on your legs?” I ask. “There was nothing else to use!” she explains, slouching against … Continue reading →

Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to make the final payment on Jewel’s summer intensive with American Ballet Theatre. My gratitude is beyond words. All I have to say is thank you, thank you, thank you. Here is … Continue reading →

Dear Readers, This is Jewel, Elizabeth Esther’s oldest daughter. I’m writing this today to offer my deepest thanks. I don’t know where I would be without you. Due to your financial support, I am able to attend American Ballet Theatre’s … Continue reading →