Ballet Arizona launched its 2021-2022 virtual book club with the mission of building community and appreciation for the incredible art form of dance. The club meets once per quarter via Zoom, and it started earlier this year.
“We are so excited to welcome back this engaging and educational club,” said Alexandra Papazian, Ballet Arizona’s education and community engagement manager.
“Experiencing this art in all of its different forms and reading about ballet and individual stories brings a greater appreciation and excitement to our season.”
“Maria Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina” by Maria Tallchief and Laryy Kaplan
Wednesday, Oct. 20
A self-portrait of the fairy-tale life of a woman who understood that a committed talent could transform the world around her. “Maria Tallchief and American ballet came of age in the same moment…. Her story will always be the story of ballet conquering America. It was and is an American romance.”-Arlene Croce, The New Yorker
“Bunheads” by Sophie Flack
Wednesday, Jan. 19
A vibrant and absorbing novel about the competitive world of professional ballet, written by a former New York City Ballet dancer. As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet company, 19-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances, and complicated backstage relationships. But when she meets a spontaneous and irresistibly cute musician named Jacob, her universe begins to change.
“Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina” by Michaela DePrince and Elaine DePrince
Wednesday, April 20
Michaela DePrince was known as girl No. 27 at the orphanage, where she was abandoned at a young age and tormented as a “devil child” for a skin condition that makes her skin appear spotted.
But it was at the orphanage that Michaela would find a picture of a beautiful ballerina en pointe that would help change the course of her life.
At the age of 4, Michaela was adopted by an American family, who encouraged her love of dancing and enrolled her in classes. She went on to study at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theatre and at 17 Michaela performed with the Dance Theatre of Harlem professional company.
The next year, she joined the Dutch National Junior Company as a second-year member and apprentice to the main company. Now at the age of 25, Michaela is ranked as a soloist at Dutch National Ballet. She has appeared in the ballet documentary “First Position,” as well as on “Dancing with the Stars,” “Good Morning America” and “Nightline.” In this engaging, moving and unforgettable memoir, Michaela shares her dramatic journey from an orphan in West Africa to becoming one of ballet’s most exciting rising stars.
Preregistration is required to receive the Zoom meeting information. To register, read more and for links to purchase the books, visit balletaz.org/ballet-arizona-book-club/.
