Flowers play a part in dancer’s family ritual

<< Florist shares tips for flower-power Oscar parties | Sending roses? Send just the right message >>

Flowers play a part in dancer’s family ritual

February 11, 2009

Teleflora and The School of American Ballet both mark their 75th birthday this year. And so they're pairing up as they both take a bow.

The School of American Ballet, the pre-eminent academy for classical dance in the U.S., is shaped by the artistic principles of founder George Balanchine, who developed a uniquely American way of dancing, emphasizing speed, musicality and expansiveness.

Today's guest post is from Dena Abergel. Dena began her early ballet studies in New Jersey and started training at the School of American Ballet when she was 12. After 6 years at SAB, she was invited to join New York City Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. During her 18 years with the company, she has performed featured roles in a number of ballets by George Balanchine and Peter Martins.

As long as I can remember I have always loved flowers. The walls of my childhood bedroom were painted with ten-foot purple flowers by my mother. I had a weekly ritual to visit the neighborhood garden with my father every Sunday to say a prayer for my grandmother, who instilled in him the love of flowers.

My parents brought me flowers after every ballet recital when I was growing up. Pink roses were my favorite at the time. Now I prefer the more unusual orchids, lilies, amaryllis, or lilacs when they are in season. As a dancer with New York City Ballet I have had the good fortune to receive numerous beautiful bouquets over the course of my career.

Dena Abergel performs in "Coppelia" at New York City Ballet. Photo by Paul Kolnik; choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust.

I remember a few special occasions when I debuted in a solo role and received many bouquets from family, friends and colleagues. The most wonderful feeling is walking home from the theater with my husband after a great performance, absolutely exhausted from a long day of dancing yet still feeling exhilarated. I am too tired to carry my dance bag (glad for my husband’s shoulders) but somehow I can manage to carry more bouquets than two arms can comfortably hold.

When I walk through the door, before I can even sit down for dinner, I love to arrange my flowers. I trim the stems, search for the right vase, fill them with water and food and arrange. It is a kind of winding down from all the excitement and it gives me the chance to go over what I have just experienced. It’s kind of like washing dishes after a dinner party—a chore that gives one the time to review and commit the evening to memory.

My favorite thing is to come home with so many flowers that I don’t even have enough vases to hold them. Then I start to be creative and use pitchers, tall glasses and sometimes the crystal ice bucket. Waking up the next morning to a home full of flowers is such a treat.

a8caca31-0ac7-45c9-9141-713e34821142|0|.0