It began like this
…
”
Ring, ring.
”
”
Hello, Morgan Hill Dance Center, Paula speaking.
”
[A small voice trying to be grown up and businesslike makes an
inquiry]
”
Hello, I want to sign up for ballet lessons.
”
It began like this … “Ring, ring.”
“Hello, Morgan Hill Dance Center, Paula speaking.”
[A small voice trying to be grown up and businesslike makes an inquiry] “Hello, I want to sign up for ballet lessons.”
“Well, honey, I think I should talk to your Mom.”
“Oh, that’s OK, just tell me when the class starts and I’ll be there.”
That call was in 1976. I had just come back from seeing my first live ballet performance – San Francisco Ballet performing Michael Smuin’s “Romeo and Juliet.” A delight for a 12-year-old there in the Opera House with her violin teacher (who thought I would be inspired by the pit orchestra). The musicians were good but the dancers, oh my! I wanted to be on stage, not in the pit. Twenty-six years later I, along with the rest of South County, must say goodbye to our beloved ballet teacher Paula Valentine.
Saturday, Sept. 11, parents, students, former students and family attended a retirement party for Paula and her fiancé Frank Inman. Not that any of us are blaming Frank for taking our Paula from South County (maybe a little bit of blame), but we know the happy couple is in the process of building a home in Roseburg, Ore.
Ms. Valentine has taught ballet in the South County in four different locations in Morgan Hill since graduating from San Jose State in the mid-seventies. St. Catherine’s, the Morgan Hill Grange, Machado School, the old Galvan’s T.V. repair shop and finally the present location in downtown Morgan Hill all provided flooring to countless children learning the art of dance.
Rick Sanchez, father and husband to three dancers in the family, lauded Paula at the party for the grace and confidence Ms. Valentine bestowed upon her students and her sincere desire that ballet teach life lessons.
Paula’s daughter, Kristin Valentine, a recent graduate of UC Santa Barbara, confirmed her mother’s sincerity and concern for her dancers and reminisced about the hours at dinner listening to her mom talk about the happenings at the studio. Kristin, Paula’s only daughter, shared her mother graciously with all of the studio “daughters.” Bryan, Paula’s son, was not able to attend the party due to work commitments (I only remember Bryan as the tow-headed toddler who came to see his mom at the studio). I assume he’s a bit taller now.
It continues like this … “Ring, ring.”
“Hello, Morgan Hill Dance Center, Juliet speaking.”
Juliet LaPointe-Smith continues the tradition as the new studio owner and ballet/pilates teacher. Ms. LaPointe-Smith graduated both from Santa Clara University in Dance Education and Combined Science and as a Valentine studio “daughter.”
LaPointe-Smith began her dance training with Ms. Valentine and went on to dance professionally in both Modern and Ballet. LaPointe-Smith is a member of the Royal Academy of Dance and is a certified Pilates instructor. Major roles danced by Juliet include Lise in La Fille mal Gardee, and the Arabian Princess, Snow Queen, and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker (not all at the same time).
The handover of the studio has been a gradual process throughout the year to allow students, parents and both teachers time to adjust to the change.
Along with other studio performances planned for the year, La Pointe-Smith will choreograph and direct the company’s performance in February with the South Valley Symphony in selections from Sleeping Beauty.
Last call at the barre … with the studio handover complete and in capable hands (or feet), all that is left to do is to wave goodbye to the moving vans and promise to visit Paula and Frank up north (as Paula says, “I’m not dying for heaven’s sake. Come visit”).
In case you are interested in more information about classes at the studio (and the new adult, intermediate ballet class on Monday mornings), call Juliet at (408) 776-1661. While you’re at it, why not consider inspiring a young dancer in your family with season tickets to Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley? (A growing number of South County residents are doing the same.) Contact the ballet at (408) 288-2800. If you are more musically inclined, this just in from Candace Fazzio, owner of The Monterey Street Music Academy, “The Music Academy is holding an open house on Sept. 18 from 4-5:30 p.m.” Performances on the piano will entertain visitors and free beverages will be served. For more information call the music studio at (408) 848-1064.
Support the arts. I did, and I found a husband.
Ciao for now.
