LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Spring is almost here and auditions are over . We now are in the stretch of the year that counts down to the next chapter of your life , well at least that ’ s how I feel . March has always been my favorite month , and not just because it ’ s my birthday , but because spring brings the fresh and new . This issue has been a labor of love , as one chapter ends in my life , a new one begins . My current job as Dean at a performing arts school is ending , and it has given me time to realize that I want A Ballet Education to be my full-time job . So , here is to the start of something new , it is Spring . Spring brings much more than new chapters , but it brings freshness , a freshness I have found in cover girl Mimi Tompkins . Photographed by Ashley Baker , our cover story features this fresh face among the professional dance world . Photographer Ashley Baker and I have teamed up to start another project , Arizona Dances . It is this wonderful , beautiful collection of the dancers of Arizona . It has been such a pleasure . But , as my time is ending as Dean , I have come to learn a lot about myself .
As much as I hate to admit it , I am quite emotional . I have fallen in love with these families , these kids and have invested so much into them , that it breaks my heart to leave them . Secondly , I have learned that I will do anything for the success of a child . Thirdly , I was reminded how good of a teacher I am , and though it is the most exhausting job , it is the most time consuming job , it is the most selfless job , I should be teaching . I need to find a balance between teaching / coaching , A Ballet Education , and my personal life . Finally , I have learned that I most likely will be alone . For a very long time , a very long time , all I have wanted was to find love , to start a family and to be a good husband . Now , I realize that I love ballet and art , that I have hundreds of kids who I have taught , coached and cared for , and I am a good husband to my work . So , cheers to the selfless life .
The world of ballet is changing and evolving at such a fast rate that I find myself lost in reading , watching and consuming . It is because of all of this , I am privileged to be able to share so much information with you . I hope you enjoy this beautiful issue .
It is now , time to look forward to the Spring Issue of A Ballet Education .
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