Throwback Thursday and Gail Grant
One of the best known books about classical ballet is the small
(less than 150 pages), but popular Technical Manual and Dictionary of
Classical Ballet.
Originally published in 1950, it has been revised and reissued many times since
then. Organized in dictionary format, it provides definitions and descriptions
of ballet terms, and it includes illustrations – also by author Gail Grant. I
began to wonder about who she is (or was) and was surprised to find that there
was little personal information about her on the internet, and her book doesn’t
contain the typical “Biography of the Author” section.
(Edith)
Gail Grant made her debut in 1916, when she was six years old in “Queen
Sceptre: A Musical Fairy Pantomime”. In 1923 she took a correspondence course
in dance technique from Chicago and opened her first dance studio - in an
attic. She included a library of dance books.
In 1927
Gail’s family moved to Winnipeg and here she began her first formal ballet
training with Geraldine Foley. She trained intensely for two years before
returning to Regina to re-open her studio.
In 1932
she joined the new Radio City Music Hall Ballet where she worked for the next
eight years. During this period she began to write, and in 1950 her most famous
work was published. Many other works followed.
In 1991, Gail Grant was in her eighties and living in Florida.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #116:
“Gail Grant is the author and
illustrator of the famous book Technical
Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“Always bear in
mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.”
― Abraham Lincoln
― Abraham Lincoln
Help expand the knowledge base!
Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas,
or images that worked best for you!
Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:
http://balletconnections.com/DebraWebbRogers
No comments:
Post a Comment