Guest DerfDude04 Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 Every wednesday night for a month straight, I got to watch Merrill Ashley rehearse the principals in Pennsylvania Ballet while she was setting Ballo della Regina. This role was originated for her, and she also got up and danced parts of it and she is still AMAZING!!! Her footwork is so fast, clean, precise and fantastic. It was soo amazing just to watch her rehearse someone. She still had a presence that filled the room, even though she wasn't dancing. She also smiled at me once or twice while she was leaving the studio right before my class started. Quote Link to comment
BlackbirdBallerina Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 I got that chance, a year or so ago to take a class from Ms. Ashley, and I enjoyed it very much. Her technique is still perfect, and she is such a wonderfully kind and gentle person, truly wanting to help you without looking down on you at all. I learned so much from her! Quote Link to comment
Guest DerfDude04 Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 She looked so nice, and she was still soooo good. That's the part that gets me. She still also looks the same as she does in videos! Quote Link to comment
elizzy Posted April 24, 2005 Report Share Posted April 24, 2005 I took a master class from Merrill Ashley earlier this year and really enjoyed it. She had a lot of really good things to say and made everyone feel comfortable. Her technique is still awesome! Quote Link to comment
dido Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 I saw Ms Ashley in the role of Marge in Boston Ballet's La Sylphide recently, and was utterly blown away. Then I recently watched the Balanchine video that has Ballo on it and basically just put the thing on repeat. My roommate finally looked up and said, "What's so wow about that?" And I said, "Watch her feet and count the music," and he did for a while and said, "Jeez, she's going really fast, it doesn't look like it." Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 Marge? In La Sylphide? As in Simpson? Oh, MADGE! Nevermind. Merrill Ashley has always had this most amazing ability to be all-work and all-play at the same time. She's infectious. Quote Link to comment
dido Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 Oh, I am SO embarassed. It was an honest typo though--I do know it's MaDge... Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 No, it's a fun mental image. All that tall blue hair.... Quote Link to comment
littlegelsey Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 i met merrill ashley at a lecture thing and got her autograph she is really awesome!!! Quote Link to comment
Luvtoleap Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 Merrill Ashley was a guest teacher at my SI this summer and I got to take a class from her. She was amazing and I really enjoyed the class. However, I regretted not asking her for her autograph! Quote Link to comment
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