June 21st 2017

Well it looks like Summer has finally arrived here on the East coast although the Sun is playing hide and seek. I that been an exciting and busy month.

We are happy to announce that we have wrapped shooting on the Knight Foundation Philadelphia Project. It was a thrilling experience to capture the origin stories of these fabulous women. The incredibly generous and supportive of Ms. Delores Browne allowed us to shoot in her home on June 1st. She graciously opened her doors to our crew for the day and allowed us to take over her home. It was so wonderful to se Ms. Browne and Ms. Judith Jamison together reminiscing and “Kee Keeing” like old girlfriends as Catherine Foster did their make up. Foster is also a member of Camille A. Brown and Dancers and former Ailey students we all had a personal and professional connections. As we hung out in the kitchen we almost forgot what we were there for, to capture their stories. These incredible women never cease to amaze me, their poise, eloquence, elegance and professionalism I can only hope one day to possess. In addition My dear, dear friend and photographer Eva Mueller was there to document and take portraits of the gals.

 

It was an honor to guide them down memory lane and learn more about how they became who they are today and also learn more about my own birthplace.

We headed down to Philadelphia on June 2nd to Philadanco to shoot Ms. Joan Myers Brown. It is important to note that I have known Aunt Joan since I was three years old and she was one of MoBBallet’s first supporters. Learning about her childhood and beginnings in dance was eye opening and inspiring. I was moved and humbled and their willingness to contribute and their support of the project and myself. I can not wait to share it with you! Soon come…

This month’s Ezine is bittersweet as we say good-bye to Pacific Northwest Ballet’s first black ballet dancers Kabby Mitchell. Ironically MoBBallet learned of his passing while we were in Seattle for our Town Hall meeting at PNB. We take a moment to remember and honor him. A true pioneer, a great talent and a wonderful educator, he will be missed.

We bring you or latest Dance Magazine article featuring the School of American Ballet Visiting Fellow Program. SAB and New York City Ballet are known for their a lack of transparency, after having extensive conversations with representatives of SAB and hearing the methods they are employing to create more diversity, I thought it was important to share some of their efforts. I think that many will be pleasantly surprised at some of the advances that are taking place at the historic organization.

We have a great success story from the January IABD ballet Audition. This one is close to my heart as it involves one of my former students! Emily (formerly Mott now) Harkta is the Co-director and founder of Charlottesville Ballet in Virginia. she was one of the 15 directors who participated in the auditions and she shares with MoBBallet her experience and more importantly introduces us to the dancers she found at that very audition.

Finally our inspiration this month is supplied by the one and only Brooklyn Mack of Washington Ballet. The clip we chose is not strictly dance, but also an interview so you get feeling of who Mr. Mack is and is view point and you get to see what an incredible artist and talent it his!

Enjoy your Summer!!