Date: Fri 04-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Nutcracker-Meadow-Ismailoff

Full Text:

An Option For Some: A Peaceful Afternoon In The Meadow

The Marsha Ismailoff Mark School of Ballet has been presenting "Ballet in the

Meadow," an outdoor spring recital, for over two decades. On June 14 and 15,

nearly forty students of the intensive dance school continued the tradition.

"Ballet in the Meadow" is presented in a meadow on the Mt. Pleasant Road

property where the Marsha Mark School of Ballet (as well as the residence of

Mrs Mark and her husband) is housed.

"Ballet in the Meadow" is an optional recital for the school's students.

Because of the time of year during which it falls, many students - especially

high school seniors, with graduation fast approaching - often find themselves

swamped with outside commitments, whether academic education or family

oriented. Because of this, students are allowed to choose whether they will

participate in "Ballet in the Mee "

For those who are able to fit this recital into their schedule, then, it is

always a special experience. Students are given the opportunity to create

their own performances. This year's performances ranged from pieces using

classic music by Chopin, Leo Delibe and Ludwig Minkus, to others with music

from contemporary films, such as John Williams' "Theme from Star Wars " or

"Together Forever" from Grease . One clever piece, entitled "The Many Moods of

Dance," worked music by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky in with Sixties favorite

Joan Baez and even some alternative music by the rock band The Smashing

Pumpkins.

Graduating seniors this year included Emily Kao and Molly Sell, both of whom

will be leaving the area to pursue college studies in the fall. Emily will be

attending Boston University; Molly is going to Boston College.

The advanced dancers participating in "Ballet in the Meadow" this year, along

with Emily and Molly, included Laura DeMasi, Sara DeMasi and Jenny Thomas.

Laura and Sara will spend time this summer at Ballet Regent, a summer program

of the New York City Ballet at Saratoga. Jenny will be attending six weeks of

the Hartford Ballet summer program, one of the most intensive studies in the

country.

Because Ballet Miniature, the non-profit organization that helps organize the

recital, does not do much pre-performance advertising, the audience is

generally comprised of family members and close friends. Nearly 150 turned out

this year for the performance. With the audience seated under a large white

tent, the dancers performed on a permanent wooden stage erected in the meadow.

"Ballet in the Meadow" not only serves as the school's spring recital, but

also marks a closing point for the studio until September. A number of the

school's intermediate and advanced students will be returning to the Marsha

Mark Studio later this summer, however, to participate in two weeks of master

workshops. The dancers will work with visiting professional dancers Shamil

Yagudin, of The Bolshoi Ballet, and Alesandra Fischetti and Jennifer Johnston,

current teachers at Marsha Mark School of Ballet.

The school's major production each year is its December presentation of The

Nutcracker Ballet .