Cellist Extraordinaire Gautier Capuçon

From the audience, that 2009 Sunday matinee performance in Davies Hall, nothing seemed amiss. Gautier Capuçon’s rendition of the Schumann Cello Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony won me over instantly, as did his stage charisma—and, okay, those  cinematic good looks of his. Two years later, his thoughtful, nuanced performance of Henri Dutilleux’s “Tout un Monde Lointain, ” … Read more

World Ballet Day 2015 is on!

Want the link to the Oct 5, 2017 coverage? Click HERE! Welcome to The Classical Girl’s World Ballet Day 2015 page! Glad you could make it. I will update this page prior to, and throughout World Ballet Day, so you can have the most relevant links and information as the day unrolls. And want to hold onto … Read more

Broadway, meet ballet’s Misty Copeland

Tonight, American Ballet Theatre principal Misty Copeland will debut on Broadway in On the Town, as the aspiring Broadway dancer, Ivy Smith (AKA Miss Turnstiles). Broadway, eat your heart out. Here’s a peek. I love seeing ballet professionals show up in other venues, on unfamiliar stages. Misty Copeland is showing up everywhere these days, including on … Read more

10 Essentials for the adult beginner’s dance bag

A common question I get asked goes something like this: I’m taking a ballet class again after many years. I’m not even sure what to wear as an adult, or what to bring,  What should I wear or bring, so that I fit in and don’t stand out as oblivious? Okay, a valid question, and … Read more

The world of million-dollar violins

In my second year of playing the violin, back in 2006, I decided my $200 starter violin, initially a rental, had served its purpose, and it was time to invest in a quality advanced beginner violin. My budget was $2000. The search took five months as I sampled over forty violins, in San Francisco, Santa … Read more