editor’s letter From the Darkness of Loss Comes a Beacon of Strength


Tiffany Bailey


2017was an unfortunate year for theDallas-Fort Worth dance community. In this one year alone, we’ve lost legendary ballet pioneer, Tanju Tuzer, influ- ential teacher and performer,KimAbel, versatile and quirkyDallas native,MaryCochran, creative and kind,DarrellCleveland andmost recently, Janice LaPointe-Crump, amost beloved teacher, dance pro- fessional and indispensableDanceCouncil ofNorth Texas boardmember.Undoubtedly,many have been


affected by these passings.


Thoughwemay feel a deep loss, as a dance family, it’s important for us to love and support one another during these times. TheDFWdance community is resilient.We persevere through difficult times andwe overcome any challenges and set-backswemay be facedwith.


I’ve seen somuch growth and innovation this year and itmakesme proud to be part of this community. Thosewho came before us like Tanju,Kim,Mary, Janice andmany others, served as the foundation for thewonderfulwork that is coming out of theMetroplex today.


To illustrate the perseverance and resilient quality I’mtalking about, this issue beginswith an interviewwith a former student of Tanju Tuzer,who speaks of her sometimes tumultuous relationshipwith the legendary teacher.Because of the tough love ofMr. Tuzer,Margot Martin faced definitive challenges as a student at the Tuzer School of Ballet.Naturally, this type of discipline can be quite shocking to a young dancer andmay even break spirits.Margot however,worked through the strict discipline andwent on to have a successful ballet


career and nowresides inDallas.Here, she owns and operates her own studio, teaching her own unique brand of ballet and a cross-fit fusion style fitness called “BalletBurn.”


Next,we highlight theDarkCirclesDanceCompany; recently returned fromSeoul, SouthKorea, they are already in the studio preparing new work. This is a company that powers through and consistently delivers innovative and beautifully craftedwork. Iwas fortunate enough to be invited to sit-in on one of their recent rehearsals. The focus and dedica- tion of this group of dancers is unparalleled.


In addition,we’re focusing on a remarkable young dancer named Katarina Jakimier; aDallas nativewho nowstudies at the JohnCranko Schule inGermany. On her own and aftermuch research, she has developed a programcalled Silver Swans,which is designed to benefit seniors livingwithmental and physical challenges, through the art of Ballet.Katarina has developed the choreography and curriculum, trained other teachers and fully implemented her programintomany senior living facilities across Texas. She has developed this program with the sole purpose of giving back to her community; she is a remarkable young person.


Contributingwriter LinneaHagler delves into and discusseswhy such awide variety of people, at thismoment in time, have incorporated dance in their lives.Notwhy they began orwhy they continued, but what dance is doing for themright now, at this stage in their life. I think it’s important for us to all rememberwhywe have dance in our lives, and,more importantly,who helped us get there along theway.


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February-April 2018 www.thedancecouncil.org


DANCE!NORTHTEXAS


a publicationof the dance council of northtexas vol. 21 • no. 1


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