“This is the strange thing: Dancers don’t age.” Twyla Tharp I am a dancer. Descended from Chicago Dance Royalty my father, Charles Grass, was Bob Fosse’s vaudeville partner and Ruth Page’s assistant. My parents met during an Opera Theater of Chicago production of “The Bohemian Girl,” when Dad served as stage director/choreographer and Mom was […]
Old Ballet Dancer
Choral Ethics: Father Knows Best
“To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter.” Euripides Most of you know, my Dad passed away at the age of 96 this past February 29. And most of you also know he was a Master Dance Pedagogue, as well as Bob Fosse’s vaudeville partner. I have shared some of his Show […]
Choral Ethics: Cicadas, Brahms and the Approah of Summer
Dad, Peter Genaro and me at a dance workshop in the 1970s “The truth is, I’ve been lucky. But just like the waltz, life has its own rhythm of rise and fall.” Len Goodman Here in Chicago, the cicadas are out in force. In my area, I awaken to hear a low hum in the […]
Choral Ethics: Last Man Standing
Charles Grass (Dad) left, and Bob Fosse, right. They were about 12 years old. “If you think you can do better, then do better. Don’t compete with anyone; just yourself.” Bob Fosse Today is my father’s 96th birthday. He is still with us, still as sharp as a tack, still very independent and still telling us what to do. We know […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Perfectly Calm
“With the coming of spring, I am calm again.” Gustav Mahler During the first part of my choral career, I was also a dancer, ballet teacher and choreographer. My ballet background, coupled with understanding and the ability to read complicated scores, made me a natural to choreograph musicals on all levels. I specialized in making […]
Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Last Man Standing
Dad (Charles Grass) and Bob Fosse, they were probably 12 years old “If you think you can do better, then do better. Don’t compete with anyone; just yourself.” Bob Fosse For the month of December, I’m rerunning some Choral Ethics blogs from years past with a few modifications where needed. Two of my MOST REQUESTED December Blogs will […]