2 April 2007Dear All, Finally .... another postcard!!! So sorry for the delay in getting in touch. It’s been a bit of a crazy time since I saw you all at the concert in November! Firstly, I wanted to say how wonderfully everyone danced in the concert. I was SO proud of every single dancer, as well as the wonderful group of teachers that were so instrumental in putting the whole thing together. I, more than anyone, know the immense task of staging a Jazz Factory concert, and heartily congratulate Kim and the team on a job well done. Congratulations! I had meant to spend the week following the concert ostensibly at the studio, but ended up being so sick, that I didn't catch up with anyone at all. I couldn't believe it! Basically, I was sick because I was in the early stages of pregnancy for Baby #4!!! I’m now at about six months and India, Atticus and Arlo are looking forward to welcoming a new baby brother in early July!! To think that the girl who grew up with only sisters, married a man with only sisters, has a dance school with 99% girls and relates primarily to their mothers, is going to spend the rest of her life in a house full of boys!! It’ll do me good, I’m sure!! We’re all really excited and will let you know as soon as there’s any news! As I mentioned earlier, time since my trip to Sydney has been hectic. Apart from being really sick (as usual!) with the pregnancy, Angus has changed jobs and is travelling extensively and we’ve moved apartments while we renovate a new place. We’re currently living in the tiniest two bedroom apartment—which can be VERY challenging with three small children and weather so cold it’s impossible to play outside! But ... it’s all good fun if you look at it in the right frame of mind!?!? I’ve seen various shows since I was last in touch ... Undoubtedly the most impressive was the famous Radio City Musical Hall Christmas Spectacular, starring the amazing ‘Rockettes’. Coming up to its 75th Anniversary this year, the show features amazing dance sequence starring the Rockettes, a dance troupe whose precision would put most military tattoos to shame! They are all long-legged singing, tapping, dancing sensations and their can-can lines and formations are so synchronised and exact, that it really is a lesson for any dancer to see! All of this plus an ice-skating rink rising onto the stage and a full nativity scene complete with camels, horses, sheep and goodness knows what else! If you’re ever in New York around Christmas time, DO NOT MISS IT!!! Other shows I’ve seen include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a quirky Broadway musical that was really great fun. I also took India to the New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker again this year (see details in my postcard of 23 December 2005). Such a magical performance, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re there again next year! I’ve also been to see lots of bands and musicians, as there’s always someone amazing coming through town. In the past few months we’ve seen Ben Folds, the Indigo Girls, Damien Rice, Arlo Guthrie (our son Arlo’s namesake!) and a magnificent sell-out performance at Madison Square Garden by Justin Timberlake (supported by Pink)! A particularly exciting part of living in New York is when Jazz Factory students and parents, past and present, come through town. It’s always great to catch up with people—do make sure you get in touch if you’re in town! We had a great dinner with Chris and Matt Clegg (parents of students Pippy, Gabby and Maddie) and really enjoyed catching up with the Mohen family and their girls Anna and Louise when they were in town. I’ve been really proud to be able to see some former Jazz Factory students, now dancing professionally, as their touring schedules have brought them through town. Most recently I caught up with Soojee Watman (Jazz Factory student 1995-2003, winner of our Mary-Jo Swanson Award and one of our former State and Australasian jazz champions) who is now dancing with Madrid-based company Compania Nacional de Danza 2. It was amazing to see her dance when the company recently performed in New York as part of their US Tour. What an incredible life for a 20 year old, who’s been living in Madrid, following her passion for dance (and touring the world!) in the company since she was just 17. She is dancing so beautifully and I was so proud of her achievements, as all from The Jazz Factory should be. This weekend India and I are travelling to Philadelphia to see another former Jazz Factory student, Emee Dillon, now a member of the Sydney Dance Company as she tours through the States. I’ll report on that exciting journey in my next postcard! I was hoping to get back to Sydney to see everyone mid-year, but this baby has put an end to those plans!! But ... rest assured, I’m keeping in touch with all that everyone’s doing and plan to visit again as soon as I can once everything settles down when the baby has been born! Missing you all! Keep dancing beautifully and remember, I’d love to hear your news too. Contact me at hannelarsen@mac.com. Love always, Hanne xxxxx |
2nd April 2007 |
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