Still wondering whether you should plunk down the cash (or should I say credit card) and subscribe to the newsletter? Here's what some of our subscribers have to say.
From Jasmine Swann:
"I have received the [news]letters and am enjoying them so much. It is hard to pace myself. I want to improve so badly, and I feel I now have a treasure trove of guidance. I've only just returned to ballet at age 23 after taking 10 years off; I was advanced intermediate, just beginning advanced/professional courses when I quit, with four years of pointe behind me. I knew that I didn't have the right body type to go all the way. And I happen to be an all-or-nothing kind of woman! But now I'm returning, with high hopes! Not of going pro, but of getting back on pointe and perhaps getting to perform in a couple of years. I am so thankful to have your supportive site, and these newsletters that really get to the heart of things for a returning dancer like myself."
From Stephen Cooper:
"I'm really enjoying your newsletter, by the way, and the back issues are really helping me out a lot. My wife was a dancer in the Alabama Ballet before we got married and now she has her own studio where she teaches. We are a young couple (early twenties) and I've never thought about taking dance before, in fact, she never really wanted to be married to a dancer, but it's funny how things change. Now she is teaching me ballet and we're both loving it."
From Alis Fogarty:
"I love the newsletters! I am so thrilled to have them before our trip. And it is a pleasure to read something so well-written. I am looking forward to putting on some calming music while my 15-month-old naps and trying out the stretches you recommend. I have only had general (or modern) dance in my background, and I am returning to dance after an eight-year hiatus (and a 25-pound weight gain -- ouch!). It was very difficult to work up the nerve to even show up. But after about five weeks of three classes a week, I have lost some weight, am seeing some improvement, and best of all, am beginning to get corrections from my teacher!"
From Georgeanna Murgatroyd:
"I love this newsletter, and I love it even more now that I have moved to Belgrade, Yugoslavia!! There does not seem to be a whole lot of adult ballet opportunity here at all and I'm really upset about that."
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From Heather Campbell:
"First, I just want to say thanks for helping me so much in ballet. The newsletters really have helped me improve!"
From Amy Newell:
"Just received my new subscription (with back issues) of your newsletter and wanted to write and tell you (as so many others have, I know) how great it is. I just started taking ballet classes and your newsletter has answered so many of my questions that all those books geared toward 11-year-olds don't. In particular, I have been confused as to why, even though I have naturally very good turnout, I have not been able to access it except basically just when standing in first position. Now I see that my inner thigh muscles need to be strengthened in order to support the turnout. Your tips on remembering combinations (on the site) were also particularly helpful to me, since I have a really hard time doing that and that is the thing I am most sensitive about. Thanks so much! I will tell everyone in my dance class about your newsletter and try to get them to subscribe too."
From Nicole Mares:
"I have been ravenously reading your newsletters. I love them!"
From Italian subscriber, Paola Sapienza:
"My name's Paola and I recently subscribed to your newsletter, which I find a thorough and exhaustive publication for anybody who just loves to dance."
From Pamela Goodlow:
"I've been enjoying reading the back issues of the newsletters. I see that they will prove invaluable to me! I just turned 45 years old and began taking my first ballet class in September . . . I find the ballet lessons incredibly fascinating (and very, VERY challenging)! Thanks so much for creating a forum for all of us out here who've decided in our manic adult years to pursue our dance dreams, and finding out that we're not alone."
From Catherine Laurier:
"I've enjoyed every single newsletter. I'm amazed how much valuable information you cram into such a small space. I also like the way you weave in your own experiences. That makes everything seem so real to me, and gives me the encouragement of a real live person, and lets me know I'm not alone in what I go through. I have really enjoyed your clear explanations of technique. Also enjoy the articles that give encouragement to us adult who might want to dare consider performing."
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From Mary Jennings:
"I love your newsletters. I read them and then pass them among the members of my dance group (ages 40-60). We live in the "boonies" . . . and have no formal instruction unless we go somewhere or have someone come to us to do a workshop, so your newsletters are especially useful. What a wonderful resource. Thanks!"
George Janca writes:
"Rosetta, for the past year and one-half of receiving them, the newsletters have all been wonderful and I have retained each one for reference and inspiration."
Lorna Murdock says:
"[I've enjoyed most] the [newsletter] issues that addressed strengthening of core and abs and psoas. It's finally all falling into place for me, thanks in large part to your helpful hints and exercises."
From Suzan Wescott:
"I wanted to advise you of my new address so that I don't dare miss an issue of your fabulous newsletter. Keep up the great work!"
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From Tracey Ulrich:
"Being a novice ballet student, I really appreciate the hints and inspiration I've received from the Blue Diamond newsletter. It's so encouraging to read tips and stories from someone who's been there! The information is very useful and the exercises to improve turnout, balance, etc. are so helpful it's like having two ballet teachers instead of one. I eagerly await the next issue!"
And another opinion, from Rochelle Abrantes:
"Just wanted to tell you that as a dancer who got a late start in dance, I found your newsletter very inspiring and extremely helpful. It's nice to know that there's hope for improvement! Your articles on turnout and flexibility were very informative. For once I actually thought about which muscles I was supposed to be using. So many of us adults get ignored in class that it really is up to us to improve our technique. With the help of your newsletter, we can finally share what works and what doesn't."
From Kathy Nitta:
"I thought your article on plie was the most comprehensive I've ever read. I thought it was excellent."
From Janet Moran:
"Keep up the great work with your newsletter. Rosetta, you are such an inspiration. What you have to offer is truly needed by people like me. Although I'm in great shape, the body ain't what it used to be. People like you are what keeps me going in the midst of my frustration. God Bless You!"
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Caz Atkinson writes:
"I've been meaning to write to say thanks so much for the newsletters and CD! I love that CD -- I reckon we need that in class instead of the regular 'grade' stuff, it'd be a lot more fun. :) And the newsletters are just great and full of stuff that just never occurred to me. How come no one ever suggested things like this to me before? Especially the ideas on turnout. When I asked my teacher a while back for some tips she just said, 'Oh well, you just have to practice your turnout' -- hey thanks! :-@ Why do I sometimes get the feeling that we're still in the Stone Age with ballet class in the UK . . . ."
From Pamela Goodlow:
"I've been enjoying reading the back issues of the newsletters. I see that they will prove invaluable to me! I just turned 45 years old and began taking my first ballet class in September . . . I find the ballet lessons incredibly fascinating (and very, VERY challenging)! Thanks so much for creating a forum for all of us out here who've decided in our manic adult years to pursue our dance dreams, and finding out that we're not alone."
From Catherine Laurier:
"I've enjoyed every single newsletter. I'm amazed how much valuable information you cram into such a small space. I also like the way you weave in your own experiences. That makes everything seem so real to me, and gives me the encouragement of a real live person, and lets me know I'm not alone in what I go through. I have really enjoyed your clear explanations of technique. Also enjoy the articles that give encouragement to us adult who might want to dare consider performing."
George Janca writes:
"Rosetta, for the past year and one-half of receiving them, the newsletters have all been wonderful and I have retained each one for reference and inspiration."
Lorna Murdock says:
"[I've enjoyed most] the [newsletter] issues that addressed strengthening of core and abs and psoas. It's finally all falling into place for me, thanks in large part to your helpful hints and exercises."
More About Rosetta • Sign Me Up Now! • Blue Diamond Store • Back to the Newsletter Page
From Paul Yoshinaga:
"I received your newsletter and t-shirt with much anticipation after discovering the joy of ballet this year. . . . Your newsletter is a perfect match for me. I wore your t-shirt to a swing dance camp this week and enjoyed the many different responses to the logo. I could immediately tell who studied ballet by the response to the shirt. Those who studied laughed heartily when they saw it. Others just scratched their heads. One person told me that the word 'corpse' was misspelled, and it 'should not have an "e" in it'! In my case that couldn't be further from the truth." (Paul is referring to a t-shirt that used to be offered along with newsletter subscriptions. The shirt said, "Corpse de Ballet.")
From Miho Joyce:
"Hi Rosetta, I just received the first mail from you. Thank you!! The card was nice, because I felt I received friendship not only what I purchased."
Leah Stewart says:
"I've only been back in class for a few months so I'm at that beginner's stage where I swing wildly from 'I can do this' feelings to 'I should give up now' feelings. I need fortitude and inspiration to keep me moving forward. Thanks for the website and the newsletter! And I LOVE my t-shirt -- even if my boyfriend still doesn't understand why I think it's so funny!"
From Mary Jane Healy:
"I received my package and really enjoyed all the newsletters and especially the t-shirt! Thank you!"
Michael Roberts writes:
"Thank you R -- I really enjoy the newsletter and your level of commitment to this is awe-inspiring. Since I have been really working on things, I am now considering going back to school to study dance therapy!"
Beth Vogel writes:
"I really like the newsletters, and I read everything in them; none of it is boring to me! Thanks again for putting this newsletter out. I really enjoy it."
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From Eyvonne Gratz, a subscriber who is also a registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher:
"The newsletter and T came today. Thank you. I didn't expect to see it so fast! It's very informative and written very easy to understand for someone who may not be very versed in technique -- which is good!"
Tige Young says:
"First, let me say that I *loved* your first issue of the Blue Diamond newsletter. I am very glad that I subscribed. :-)"
From Jeana Smith:
"Received your newsletters and shirt in the mail today. Thank you very much. Of course I immediately had to skim everything. Although I am particularly interested in advice on technique, the article on older dancers and their performances was truly inspiring. Also, thanks for punching the pages. The personal touch is greatly appreciated and seldom seen these days."
From Mary Jennings:
"I love your newsletters. I read them and then pass them among the members of my dance group (ages 40-60). We live in the "boonies" . . . and have no formal instruction unless we go somewhere or have someone come to us to do a workshop, so your newsletters are especially useful. What a wonderful resource. Thanks!"
And one more, from Christina Purpura (who recently appeared in a regional ballet production of The Sleeping Beauty):
"I love your newsletter. I have followed your advice on a lot of things, and what a difference it has made. You have been an inspiration!"