In line with the theme of holiday reminiscing, one of my earliest unforgettable dance moments arrived in a whirl of anticipation, when, in the early 1950′s, my Russian ballet teacher, Anatole Bourman, told my mother that he would take me backstage to meet the famous ballerina, Maria Tallchief, after her one -night -only performance at the ornate vaudevillian Court Square Theatre in Springfield, Massachusetts.

I saw Ms. Tallchief perform  in the early 1950′s.  I excitedly viewed the performance and then, following my teacher and my mother, I was led backstage to meet The Star.  I can still remember Tallchief in costume, graciously smiling as she leaned over to me to ask my name.  I was  dumb-struck. Completely unable to get the single two -syllable word, “Dianne,” out of my ten -year- old mouth. The seconds ticked by, but time seemed suspended as all eyes were on me, awaiting what should have been a very simple answer.  Unfortunately for my tender sense of self, I stood paralyzed and simultaneously horrified at my own silence and inability to break through it. For decades to follow, until I understood my experience as one of a star-struck child, I assiduously avoided speaking in front of strangers, certain that a similar fate might befall me at any time!