| BASHEVA |
Contributor, Correspondent |
Basheva's
life changed the day she walked into a ballet class. She was
not a child and knew nothing of dance. But, from that first moment
she knew she belonged there. Though she chose her by chance,
her first teacher was the finest in the city. Marguerite Ellicott
had been a student of Alexandra Baldina and Theodore Koslov (with
the original Diaghelev Russian dancers of 1909) and so Basheva
was connected to that glorious history. Miss Ellicott's basis
was Russian, Vaganova.
Basheva next studied with Eula Hoff,
a fine Cecchetti teacher/examiner. Subsequently she studied with
Robert Rodham and Jillana (principal dancers with NYCB under
Balanchine), Jaqueline Hepner and Wayne Davis. Altogether she
danced and studied for thirty years.
As much as she enjoyed performing Basheva
loved teaching even more. Beginners, intermediate and pre-professional;
both adults and children. Each student represented a challenge,
a gift and an opportunity to share what she loved so much. She
has taught at San Diego State University, Grossmont College,
Chula Vista Performing High School, Grossmont High School, Sweetwater
School District, as well as private studios. She has taught for
twenty-five years.
Three years ago Basheva's performing
career was ended by a non-dance injury, but she was able to return
to ballet class in the spring of 2000. So now, she dances just
for the pure joy of it.
Other doors have opened to Basheva;
she enjoys writing, both poetry and prose, contributes to Dance Europe Magazine,
painting in oils, and riding her bike around a lake. She lives
in the beautiful city of San Diego and is married with a grown
son; both husband and son are electrical engineers.
|
