Well today marks something simply significant in the timeline of my chronicles here…Exactly one year ago on this very day, I boarded a jet plane from Denmark to America to continue my dance career with the Boston Ballet. I remember it so clearly, weighted down with an overwhelming burden of tearful goodbye’s, one (5) too many overweight suitcases filled with flea market treasures and four years of precious memories made with the Royal Danish Ballet and my Copenhagen family…It was a painfully beautiful day as I savored my final glimpses of this colorful, cultural gem of European charm, and flew home to ecstatic parents, an apartment eager to be filled with new stories, and a life, forever changed by the perspective-shifting chapter that came before it.
Photo Credit: Khalid Al Busaidi
~See Post ‘Farewell for Nu.’ ~
This year ironically marks the 50 Year Anniversary of the Boston Ballet, a company that began under the artistic directorship of E. Virginia Williams in 1963. While the Royal Danish Ballet was founded nearly 215 years prior (in 1748), it comes as little surprise – in this very small ballet world – that two such incredible companies have crossed paths more than once before my own unique ties that bind…
May 17, 1979
Boston Ballet presented the American premiere of Auguste Bournonville’s Wednesday’s Class in honor of the 100th anniversary of Bournonville’s death. Kirsten Ralov and Fredbjørn Bjørnsson of the Royal Danish Ballet came to Boston to stage the piece.
Nicolas Picana, Laura Young, Kirsten Ralov, and Anamarie Sarazin in rehearsal for Bournonville’s Wednesday’s Class
Unsigned photograph
Boston Ballet Archives
This past weekend as we performed Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella, the theater hosted a celebratory Boston Ballet Alumni weekend, beckoning 50 years of former company dancers to reconnect over panel discussions, decades of resurfaced memories, and an intimate glimpse into what the company has become. The 200+ attendees watched our warm-up class on stage, and amongst an orchestral sea of chatter, they sat before us…remembering the time, not too long ago, when they were the ones dancing in our shoes… At the end of class, we stood before each other in a profound moment of appreciation. We applauded their history, the foundation they worked so hard to build for future generations of this company (us), and they returned the humble tribute, knowing the level of sacrifice and dedication we’re attributing to continue the legacy.
March 9, 1988
Boston Ballet presented “The Scandinavians”, a full-length evening featuring the works of three Scandinavian master choreographers, August Bournonville, Birgit Cullberg, and Harald Lander. The company had previously performed two of the pieces, Bournonville’s Napoli and Cullberg’s Miss Julie. However, this was the first time Boston Ballet had performed Harald Lander’s Études. Alexander Kolpin from the Royal Danish Ballet joined the company for the performances.
Boston Ballet in Harald Lander’s Études
Photograph by Jaye R. Phillips
Boston Ballet Archives
It’s not often that we stop to recognize the history that came before us, or the speed at which we are creating our own…
January 17, 1966
Hans Brenaa, ballet master of the Royal Danish Ballet came to Boston to work with the company as they rehearsed for the company premiere of August Bournonville’s Napoli. Brenaa was world renown for his knowledge of Bournonville’s works. Boston Ballet became the first American company to present the full third act of Napoli on January 17, 1966
Boston Ballet in Napoli, Carol Ravich and Hans Brenaa, with Robert Steele, Mark Hudson, Warren Lynch, Steven Wistrich, and Anthony Williams
Unsigned photograph
Photo courtesy of Carol Ravich
This past week offered me an overwhelming opportunity of reflection: Of how far you can come in a year, a decade, a lifetime…Of how quickly you can end a life chapter before diving into the next, and of how beautiful these moments of historical overlap can be. The pictures featured in this post (save the 1st) are from a new microsite the Boston Ballet has recently launched, commemorating a timeline of the past 5 decades of the Company’s history…As I browsed through utterly bewildered, I grabbed a few to share in this post, noting well the ties between these two sacred companies I’m so humbled to contribute to, including the School of American Ballet that prepared me for such a journey…
January 25, 1965 – First Subscription Season
George Balanchine rehearsing Scotch Symphony © The George Balanchine Trust
Pictured with Balanchine are Boston Ballet dancers Carol Ravich, Warren Lynch, Robert Pierce, Susan Magno, and Linda DiBona.
Unsigned photograph
Boston Ballet Archives
For these fleeting moments onstage and off…such sacred opportunities to hang on to the present, until it inevitably evolves into the past… How about a round of applause?
timeline treasures ~ p.e.
The offbeat Chronicles of a TuTu with Tea 
SUCH a beautiful and inspired post Shelby! How lucky you are to be a part of Boston Ballet’s history & RDB’s (when I was in CPH, I was so in awe of my surroundings. the Jule Bal was happening while I was there and it was just so touching) and how lucky for us that you share your experiences! <3
Thank you Eva! It is such a blessing… I appreciate you following along in the journey!
I dropped by accidentally and found your lovely story about the Boston Ballet. Thank you.
This is such a lowly post. How interesting to see the relationship between RDB and the Boston Ballet, once again ;) Two fabulous companies. Beautiful photos. Thank-you for sharing
That should read lovely!!!!!!
Beautiful, as always! You have such a way with words! xx
Shelby you are such an inspiration and should be so proud of your accomplishments! I feel very lucky to have met you and am excited for the places your talent is sure to take you!
xo Georgina
Georgina, what a thoughtful and generous thing to say! I can say all the same for you…..thanks for following!
This is such a beautiful post. Not only were the photographs beautiful, but your story is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing.
Oh so amazing and I can’t believe it’s already a year since you moved to Boston. Time flies:) Kisses, darling.