Nancy Richer’s young students are unimpressed by her ballet background, but are impressed when she tells them she danced “Picasso Baby” in a Jay-Z music video.
Nancy Richer recently told us at her Watermill Ballet and Pilates Studio, Richer Movement, that she started dancing at the age of three.
“‘The Red Shoes’ was on TV and my mom asked me to watch the dancers. ‘But I’m a dancer,’ I said. Yes, I said she was 3 years old. And when the music came on, no matter what music was playing on NPR, he would immediately respond. I couldn’t eat breakfast until I heard music. ”
Soon, her parents enrolled their daughter in a dance program that included informal ballet lessons, not only meeting her wishes but also hoping that their hyperactive child would learn discipline.
“‘Stand in line…stop talking…respect your classmates…’ I loved it! ”
At the age of 11, Richer, who would pursue a professional career that would take him around the world, “went to an authentic school on the Upper East Side to train under one of the best teachers in the world.” “I transferred to Ballet Academy East,” Darla Huber. She was to fly to Russia to teach at the Vaganova Russian Ballet Academy. She was very good. ”
Later, he won a merit scholarship and was able to study at the San Francisco Ballet School, “America’s oldest ballet company,” during his college years, and later played the leading role in “Los Angeles Ballet with George” at the Kennedy Center. I danced. She was Balanchine’s muse, Suzanne Farrell, who informed and taught Balanchine’s ballets, Twyla Tharp in New York, and her dream job, the Royal Danish Ballet, “the third oldest ballet company in the world.” We performed together.
She said she knew that Balanchine, who founded ballet in America, was buried at Oakland Cemetery in Sag Harbor. “I sometimes walk by to say hello to him,” she said.
Sitting barefoot astride a physio ball, Richer said he had been performing for several years, but moved here at age 34 to live with friends during the coronavirus pandemic. Ta. She agreed that her professional dance career spanned her 15 years, but she wasn’t that long. “But I’m stubborn, I’m disciplined and I appreciate opportunities, so that’s why,” she said with a smile.
Tharp has “worked as a choreographer for Broadway companies, ballet companies, modern dance companies, etc.” Some days she’s in sneakers, other days she’s “on pointe,” she says. It is. You never knew, that’s good. ”
When Richer came to Watermill, he said, “There’s no Pilates teacher like me here, and the community would really benefit from having a Caine School-certified teacher who knows anatomy, injuries, and back pain.” I realized that I could do it.” . . I would say my areas of expertise include effective and efficient core work, lower back pain healing, and stress management. ”
Recognized as fit to teach ballet at the age of 23, Richer continues to teach several times a week at Sarah Strickland’s Hampton Ballet Theater School on Butter Lane in Bridgehampton. He said, “He had the best teachers, so he felt he had to pass it on.”
When the interviewer said she knew young teenagers who had been told that their bodies no longer fit the ballet mold, Ms. Richer said, “I have no tolerance for that. It’s with me for the rest of my life.” ” he said. She added that she was told the same thing. “It started very early on, but like I said, I’m stubborn. Ballet should be a joyful way to connect with your body, and you shouldn’t take that away from your child.” . . . There are still teachers like that, but from my point of view ballet should be a way to empower your body and feel good.”
Ballet and Pilates go hand in hand, she said. “They’re very complementary. What I love about Pilates is that it can be adapted to each individual. I don’t teach groups. I’m not trying to pigeonhole people. I teach one-on-one. In that respect, I think I’m more like a modern teacher who teaches, “Here’s how to do this,” rather than a classical teacher. Here is an exercise. ” We want to teach our students exercises in the best way for their bodies. ”
“What I love about ballet is that it makes perfect sense in a world full of chaos. When you find order within it, it feels like a completely spiritual experience.” I hope everyone finds something in their own lives that makes them feel that way…and the beauty of large groups of people – dancers, orchestras, audience members – working together for something bigger than themselves. There’s also… It’s beautiful to see people participate in an outstanding performance, whether it’s the performers, the orchestra, or the audience. My director in Los Angeles who danced for Balanchine said, , said, “After you dance Balanchine’s ballet, you’ll lay your head on your pillow at night and know you accomplished something that day.” ”
“It is a great feeling to know that you have accomplished all that you can and have reflected greatness and excellence in your life.”
