ballet teacher ill

[Guest Ballerino]

One of my first teachers, one of my best teachers, is seriously ill with cancer, and things look very poor. She has taught through chemotherapy and cancer up until now, and managed to create a ballet haven in a community Jazz based school. Her classes and classical style never compromised, and she dedicated much time to teaching adults....has quite a following, for good reason. If anyone here has taken class from Denise Collins in northern Massachusetts, please remember her in your thoughts.

I still drive an hour out of my way to take her class, will miss it tremendously if she doesn't pull through.

 

-Perseus LePage

[Guest tinydancer]

I'm so sorry to hear that Perseus! I hope the best for her. I can relate in a very small way. My first teacher as an adult, has been ill for most of this season and may very well be done teaching at the end of it.

 

My best to both of you!

[Guest Ballerino]

She, Denise Collins, died yesterday afternoon...Saturday ...I was just told. Sigh... I took her classes for 4 years, as long as I have been dancing, driving an hour to do so, but she was worth it, and had quite a following. At least she taught - and demonstrated - right until the end.

 

-Perseus

[Mel Johnson]

May she have eternal rest; may light perpetual shine upon her. Not a bad deal for a dancer, come to think of it.

[Guest annie]

I'm sorry to hear about your teacher. Good teachers are hard to find, especially those that take adults seriously.

 

I had an excellent teacher last year. She suffers from multiple sclerosis. Teaching class one evening every week was really hard on her and she had to make a choice - family or dance. Her family rightly won.

 

I still talk with her every once in a while and she comes to see us dance when she feels up to it. It's hard for her though, because when she sees problems, she wants to get up and correct them - the thing she is NOT supposed to do since it tires her out.

 

I hope that you are coping okay.

[Guest Ballerino]

I miss her and her inspiration already.

The funeral was sad but a real tribute to her dancer's soul. She taught ballet-her passion- right up until the end, demonstrations and all, she never sat.

She would want nothing but that her students keep dancing. I danced with her for the 4 years I have been studying ballet, she gave me her a strong foundation, and untold inspiration. Thank you for your kindness.

-Perseus