Her farewell role was juliet in prokofievs romeo and juliet. The following year, george balanchine invited her to join the new york city ballet, where she danced for the next 30 years. Her mother, born in wisznice, poland, steered the family toward christian science and changed their last name from cohen to kent. I decided that if i wasnt going to be a ballet dancer, at least i could name my daughter after my favorite principal dancer, allegra kent. Allegra kent was one of my heros when i was a young dancer, so her story was very engaging. Merrill ashley, gloria govrin, allegra kent, and kay mazzo, four shining stars in a brilliant constellation of ballerinas who danced for george balanchine, will take center stage in this next. The book and the show tell the story of sophie, a central park swan with dreams of joining the cast of swan lake. Allegra kent its the rare picture book thats dedicated to the memory of george balanchine. New york city ballet luminary allegra kent s delightful children s book, ballerina swan, was a hit with fans and critics when it came out last year. Allegra is an extremely talented author, dancer, and mother and for that she is my hero. Allegra kent books, author biography, and reading level. Allegra kent s life as a dancer embodies one of the most mercurial and fitfully thrilling careers in the art of classical ballet.
In 1952, balanchine invited her to new york city ballet, where she danced for the next 30 years. Sophie is a swan who yearns to become a ballerina after she watches young pupils from her pond. Soon she finds herself dancing with the other young ballerinas in the studio. Whether you need a classic kids book or classroomproven teaching materials, discover it at scholastic. Her balanchine roles included the breathtaking airborne figure in the unanswered question. Allegra kent with her children s book, ballerina swan ballerina swana 50minute show currently being performed by making books singis based on the childrens novel of the same name written by former new york city ballet prima ballerina, allegra kent. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Books with either swan in their title or swans on the cover, or written by someone of that name, or prominently featuring swans or characters named swan or a variant, such as cygnus. The mother of two daughters and a son, she is also the author of allegra kent s water beauty book. Meghan and harry could give their baby the unusual italian name allegra according to sudden flurry of bets inspired by princess diana who would have chosen it if she had a girl. I had a good example because melissa hayden was a ballerina in our company, and she had two children and danced afterward, and allegra kent.
Childrens bookshop in herne bay kent, books and gifts for kids. My mother thought that turkey was vulgar and that thanksgiving was a plot to keep the children home from school. Whether youre a novice or an experienced dancer, adult or young child, even those with disabilities, theres a dance class at allegro performing arts academy for you. Illustrated in glowing watercolors, ballerina gets ready is a peek behind the curtain at the life of a professional ballet dancer and the passion that drives her hard work. Give a book this holiday season, perhaps one of these 25 picture books for adults. A children s book as vibrant as josephine baker herself cool mom picks a picture book gift guide for the grownups in your life. Written by accomplished ballerina allegra kent, this picture book is perfect for aspiring dancers and curious young readers.
He dedicated some of his collages to her and her children. Reinberger childrens library center kent state university. Kent repossesses as a writer the unpredictable charm of her dancing. Shes an excellent writer and lets you into her heart and makes you feel like shes a sister. Allegra kent cba 19, ballerina and muse of george balanchine and joseph cornell, started studying ballet at 11 with bronislava nijinska and carmelita maracci. At 14, she came to new york as a scholarship student at the school of american ballet. Allegra kent born august 11, 1937 is an american ballet dancer, actress, children s book author and columnist. She became a permanent member of the company at age fifteen, becoming a principal dancer in 1957 and appearing in countless performances prior to her retirement in 1981. Allegra kent, balanchines ballerina legendary choreographer george balanchine was born, who died in 1983, left behind hundreds of original ballets inspired by. She is an actress, known for the addams family 1991, playhouse 90 1956 and a midsummer nights dream 1967. My daughter arrived when i was five months pregnant with my son.
By the age of 12, allegra was in ballet class nine hours a week. In 2016, she was named the artistic director of the washington ballet. The short answer is, she grew up in california with a stage mother, joined nycb early, married the photographer bert loves women too much stern, and balanchine kept her on the payroll until the early 80s to help her support her three kids. Such bewilderments are the subject of a new childrens book, ballerina swan, by the former new york city ballet dancer allegra kent. The center features a collection of more than 40,000 childrens books, original picture book art, posters relating to childrens books that date back to 1924. Iris margo cohen was born to jewish parents, harry herschel and shirley nee weissman cohen, and later changed her name to allegra kent.
Allegra kents ballerina swan is coming to the stage. Born iris margo cohen in santa monica, california, on august 11, 1938. We offer a wide variety of dance styles from jazz to hip hop, tap to theater, and more to match your taste. Julie kent born julie cox, 1969 is an american ballet dancer. The originator of roles in george balanchine s ballets ivesiana. Allegra kent, accompanied by jacques damboise, will be the guest honoree at the frank ohman school of ballets once a dancer.
Allegro performing arts academy kent, wa dance for all. A dancer, author, and teacher, allegra kent is one of the new york city ballets most celebrated ballerinas. A bundle of books childrens bookshop herne bay, kent. Though she was a very accomplished technician, kent had. Ballerina gets ready by allegra kent, catherine stock. Now the tale of sophie, a swan who dreams of becoming a ballerina, is coming to the new york city stage.
Allegra kent wrote a memoir called once a dancer, and she told part of her story in the documentary six ballerinas. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. Find childrens from online booksellers and bookstores specializing in. Allegra is an author of two physical therapy books. Find highquality allegra kent stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. Awardwinning independent childrens bookshop in muswell hill, london. Visit scholastic, the worlds largest children s book publisher. Allegra kent was accepted into the new york city ballet at age 15. Here is the great american ballerina, partnered by bart cook, in a role balanchine choreographed for her. Allegra kent the center for ballet and the arts at nyu. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. Allegra kent joined the new york city ballet at the age of fifteen and was a principal dancer with the company for thirty years, during which time she created a number of starring roles in ballets by balanchine and robbins. It was not easy to be a child when a holiday beloved by so many became a battle of the wills. Get it today with same day delivery, order pickup or drive up.
John wellington kent, better known by his signature jack kent march 10, 1920 october 18, 1985, was an american cartoonist and prolific authorillustrator of 40 childrens books. In keeping with that aura, allegra kent danced her last performance with new york city ballet more than four. Kent grew up in what she later described as a dysfunctional environment. The dancers body book and allegra kent s water beauty book. Rarer still is a kids book author who actually danced for him, as allegra kent did. Slouching towards senescence aging woman reads, steeps. Allegra kent born august 11, 1937 is an american ballet dancer, actress, childrens book author and columnist.
Establised in 1996 little stour books is based in east kent with an eclectic stock of. Her future as a dancer was shirleys new religion, until, pretty soon, it wasnt. An update since the announcement by the government. Primary school teacher launches online childrens bookshop the. Allegra also wrote an autobiography entitled, once a dancer. Two people come from two backgrounds and for my father its a time of family and food and decency. Meghan and harry baby name could be italian allegra. Onstage, her persona has been elusive, mysterious, dreamy, full of hidden resonances. A primary school teacher in kent has launched an online childrens bookshop to promote littleknown titles for primary schoolaged readers. Allegra, she now decided, should quit dancing, go to college. Independent bookselling since 1948 latest join our mailing list.
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