Jenifer Ringer Dancing Through It

A marvellous new dance book http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/jenifer-ringer-dancing-through-it-my-journey-in-the-ballet/Warmly , intimately and eloquently written this is an engrossing ballet autobiography. Jenifer Ringer is an American ballet dancer. She joined the New York City Ballet in 1990 and was promoted to soloist in 1995. She took time off soon after, and, in 2000, was promoted to principal. Earlier this year she retired from performing. She has a BA in English from Fordham Uni and is a recipient of the Dance Magazine award and the Jerome Robbins award. She is now head of the Colburn Dance Academy . Ringer was born in North Carolina and raised in Summerville, South Carolina. She began studying dance at age ten and joined the School of American Ballet after attending the Washington School of Ballet for two years. In the book a lot is written about her inspiring teachers . Ringer is married to ex principal dancer also with NYCB , James Fayette. They have a daughter, Grace and son Luke. For ballet lovers what is fascinating is how Ringer takes us inside the dancer’s world, in great detail she described the daily grind of a ballet dancer’s typical day, – class and rehearsal and performance preparation, and the extraordinary pressures that these athletic artists have to deal with on a regular basis. Ringer shares exhilarating stories of starring in Balanchine productions, working with the famous Peter Martins, and the almost fairy tale sounding story of meeting her husband and falling in love at the New York City Ballet. Stories about accidents on stage and other last minute crisis are included too. Much is written about two of her favourite works, Balanchine’s ‘ Serenade’ and Jerome Robbin’s ‘ Dances At A Gathering’ , both from a performing and audience perspective. What is also fascinating from a balletomane’s perspective is her insights into working with various choreographers and their different approaches in the rehearsal studio and working towards the finished product. Also , how various choreographers and dancers analyze and hear the music so differently. And dealing with the ways different partners hear the music and approach, for example, lifting in pas de deux for example. Ringer also talks candidly of Alistair Macauley’s stinging critique of her weight in his 2010 New York Times review of ‘The Nutcracker’ that ignited a public dialogue about ballet and weight. Ringer describes the whole incident wittily as ‘Sugarplumgate’. She unhesitatingly describes her personal struggles with eating disorders and body image, which nearly killed her, and shares how her faith helped her to heal and triumph over these challenges. A committed Christian, this book is very unusual for dance books, in that the author describes her spiritual path. She talks about joyously dancing for God, also about dancing as part of church services, dance as part of worship, and the importance of prayer. We also learn how she somehow juggles her career with her life as a mum with two young children. She is teaching her daughter Grace how to love her body and herself. “I feel so grateful for my career,” Ringer says. “But I wouldn’t choose it for my daughter.” The book is beautifully set out with an excellent table of contents at the start and a terrific index and ballet glossary at the back as well as quite a few pages of photos . From the stage fright moments waiting in the wings before a performance , to her appearance on ‘The Today Show ‘ and ‘Oprah’ discussing weight and body image among dancers, DANCING THROUGH IT is intimately revealing , gripping and inspirational . Hardcover, 288 pages Publisher: Viking Books ISBN: 0670026492 EAN: 9780670026494