July's Ballerina: Wendy Whelan

Fact #1- She was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 12.
Fact #2- In September 2005 she married photographer David Michalek.

Wendy Whelan and Philip Neal (NYCB)


Wendy Whelan (photo by Paul Kolnik)


Here she is rehearsing Fandango, the new ballet by Alexei Ratmansky. (photo by Caitlin Kakigi)




Tyler Angle and Wendy Whelan (photo by Erin Baiano)

Quote of the Week

" Striving for connection with the audience is essential

because you are in the moment;

it is a give and take relationship.

Catching someone's eye during a performance

makes it more special.

~ Aubrey Lynch

Ballet Wishlist

I need to work on my pirouettes, and I think this would help me!

http://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/style_TB1.html?pid=3517&Shop=Style&SID=364191017

This leotard is so gorgeous!

http://gaynorminden.com/store/leotards.php

This Degas poster is very pretty. I already have a tapestry of one of Degas's pieces.

http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Ballerina-Posters_i1214530_.htm

July's Ballerina: Wendy Whelan

Fact #1- Her repertoire includes over fifty ballets.
Fact #2- Wendy only ever met George Balanchine once, for he died a year after she arrived at SAB.




Wendy Whelan and Pete Lay rehearsing The Rite of Spring


David Michalek and Wendy Whelan





Wendy Whelan with Albert Evans Herman Schmerman pas de deux (photo by Paul Kolnik)

Quote of the Week

"I don't want dancers who want to dance, I want dancers who need to dance."

~ George Balanchine

Alice in Wonderland (the ballet)

I just wanted to share a few of my favorite pictures from the ballet Alice in Wonderland! At the end of this post there will be a really cool video!

Jillian Vanstone and Zdenek Konvalina from The National Ballet of Canada.


Maki Onuki in The Washington Ballet's ALICE (in wonderland) (photo by Brianne Bland)

 
Christopher Wheeldon's Alice in Wonderland

Just a Video