Hansel & Gretel, “Abendsegen” and 14 angels

Hansel and Gretel waited deep in the forest for their father. When noon came, each ate a little piece of bread. It grew late, but still the woodcutter did not return. As they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already … Read more

10 odd facts about pointe shoes

Interested in my dance-related fiction? Check out the Ballet Theatre Chronicles ( Off Balance , Outside the Limelight, Ballet Orphans), as well as  A Dancer’s Guide to Africa. Just click on their titles! Back in the late 18th century, the ballet world decided that female dancers should look ethereal, sylph-like, as if they could fly. A … Read more

Violin Nightmares

Back in 2007, when I wrote this for my blog at Violinist.com, I would have frequent, disturbing, “new violin owner/player” dreams. Now that my practice is no longer in its infancy, the dreams have faded. I suppose it’s like having a new baby in the house, compared to a teenager (different nightmares now — including … Read more