Michelle Lucci Reminiscenses

(An excerpt from the Royale Dance Theatre program of Steel City, Firebird and other short ballets)

     I remember starting dance lessons when I was very young because my mother thought I was shy.  I remember the recital, the tutus, all types of lessons and the fact that it was nothing serious at that time.

   I remember moving to Orchard Park and starting classes with miss Bernadine at nine years of age. It was fun being a witch in the Wizard of Oz and an Amish girl in Plain and Fancy...even a corp member in  Les Sylphides...and then a change took place.  A decision was made which eventually led to my becoming a professional dancer.

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Michelle Lucci in rehearsal with Yurek Lazowski

The school had become one of professional ballet training and I had to choose either to study ballet seriously or not at all.  These concentrated studies, along with the tremendous inspiration of Yurek Lazowski at our first seminar, gave me the incentive to devote all my time to ballet.  Mr. Lazowski's words still echo in my ears, "You must take classes every day no matter how you feel or how busy you are and no matter what obstacles you must overcome.  Do this and you will be a great ballerina someday!

      I remember walking to class through the fields in knee-deep fields or pouring rain with piles of homework to do....when I was tired and even sick...when there were tremendous difficulties and obstacles.  

I remember stretching two hours every day before class; working three to four hours at the Bieler Rd. studio with all students, even the beginners, just to become stronger.

Preparing of Don Quixote  with the Royal's performance at Kleinhans Music hall with Bill Martin Viscount of CNB

Miss Bernadine brought in guest artists, the first of whom, Colin Worth of the Royal Ballet of England and National Ballet of Canada, who gave me great insight into the special qualities needed for various roles such as Swan Lake.  I remember the increasing demands placed on me with each new guest artist and every new ballet. 

Michelle in the "mad scene" from Giselle"  performed with the Royale at Artpark.  Eddie Myers of PBC as Albrecht

      I remember how difficult it was to endure nine years of tedious technical classes even as I remember the joys of exciting performances.  In the beginning there were no ballerinas for me to remember and I only hope that through my gift of dance, the children will remember that ballet is work and love and an appreciation of a special gift from God...

   

Michelle at Odette in Swan Lake