Friday February 13, 2009 - Today Monica invited me to join her in watching an advanced partnering class at SAB taught by Jock Soto. Above: Jock's famous partnership with Wendy Whelan. Monica writes about the afternoon here.
There was a large crowd of spectators (including my friends Bob and Jim); the young dancers were decked out in special Valentine's Day accessories: on this one day they are allowed to enhance their normal classroom attire.
How fortunate SAB are to have Jock Soto there sharing his knowledge - gleaned from experience - with the up-coming generation of dancers. He gives what seem to me to be very tough combinations and the dancers try their damnedest to do what he wants. Not everything goes smoothly but Jock is extremely patient and he has developed a lovely way of giving corrections: humorous and cajoling. He will imitate bad habits he sees in the dancers and get them to laugh at their own foibles. He will step in, taking one of the girls to show exactly what he wants.
Jock uses imagery to get the desired effect ("...as if you are presenting her with a diamond ring.") and the boys try hard to grasp it. In a day and age when courtly manners and the idea of gallantry seem like relics of another time, the style has to be imparted without any context in daily life. Of course Jock's demonstrating was so...beautiful - there is no other word for the poetry he can convey with a simple shaping of the hand or the way he holds the girl.
The boys worked hard for two hours, first with one set of girls and then with another. Between the two classes the students had fun showing off their multiple pirouettes, extensions and jumps. Some of the dancers especially caught my eye for various reasons; to be sure there are some very intriguing dance personalities in the making.
The atmosphere was relaxed and of course made me regret that I didn't realize fifty years ago that dancing is what I should have been doing. How envious I feel of these young people, both of their talent and of the opportunity they have to pursue their dream and to be instructed along the way by the likes of Jock Soto. I hope they realize how fortunate they are.
What a sweet and stirring post for me to get to read today!! Thank you, Philip - your writing is so lovely, graceful and transporting ...you dance with words!, and create the most beautiful imagery and energy through them.
Truly a gift to all of us readers!, as well as to the dancers and artists you write about so eloquently.
Anne Coburn Whitmore
Posted by: Anne Coburn Whitmore | February 14, 2009 at 02:26 PM
As a former teacher and evaluator of teachers, I have to agree that Jock Soto is an outstanding teacher. SAB and its students are very lucky to have him. The advanced SAB students are all good but it's interesting, is it not, to see how certain ones, even in class, immediately catch your eye. It's exciting to discover a particular student for the first time in class, then see her/him shine in the annual SAB Workshop Performance, and finally, follow her/his ascent through the ranks at NYCB.
Posted by: Bob | February 14, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Bob, I agree that following dancers from the early stages right thru to the full span of their careers is one of the special joys of having NYCB and SAB only a city block apart.
Anne, your very kind comment reassures me; it is not always easy to write about this ephemeral art form day after day and to attempt to express what it means to me. I am so glad when people tell me they understand and appreciate what I am trying to convey.
Posted by: Philip | February 14, 2009 at 05:09 PM
What a treat for those of us who love Jock so much to read your post, Philip!
I was at NYCB this afternoon (Maria and Philip were sensational in "Slaughter"), and was thinking about the art of partnering. Besides Philip (an excellent partner), Chuck was with Wendy, and Tyler with Katie. All these men are terrific partners (as is Jared, and a few others). But Jock! Jock was in a league of his own (although Peter Boal was also an exceptional partner).
Posted by: Deborah | February 14, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Deborah,with respect to the art of partnering, the only one I ever saw who equaled or surpassed Jock was his mentor - Peter Martins himself.
Posted by: Bob | February 14, 2009 at 06:35 PM
I had the privilege of watching Jock teach an Advanced Boys class at SAB on Friday, as it was an Open House day for donors. He is a natural teacher. He gave technical corrections as well as practical ones that the boys will be able to carry with them on stage. I cherish these moments when I am able to watch the students in class, and, like you said, seeing a select few progress throughout the ranks at NYCB.
Posted by: Laura | February 14, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Actually, Nilas is also a very skilled partner and his style reminds me so much of his father's. It was Nilas who helped make Sara Mearns' first Swan Queen a memorable success.
Posted by: Philip | February 15, 2009 at 12:10 AM
You're right about Peter, Bob. Although I've only been attending NYCB since 1976, I was lucky enough to see Peter with Suzanne (sigh...).
But I still think that Jock had an extra special chemistry with his partners -- especially Heather and, of course, Wendy -- that I didn't quite see with Peter and
Suzanne (at least in those years).
And speaking of good NYCB (but trained in Denmark) partners -- I also really liked Adam Luders.
Finally, although not Danish, I thought Sean Lavery was a wonderful partner in his own right.
Posted by: Deborah | February 15, 2009 at 07:12 PM
I always loved the way Nikolai Hubbe acted on stage toward his partners. Totally enthralled and absorbed.
And yes, SAB is very lucky indeed to have Jock teaching.
I sincerely hope that when Wendy retires she goes into teaching as well. What gift it would be to learn from her!
Posted by: perky | February 16, 2009 at 08:41 AM