Paris

Since 1978 I have been taking the morning classes of Yves Casati, now joined by Frederick Lazzarelli at the Ecole du Marais Danse Center.  The beautiful class room has large French windows on two walls and its original hand painted medieval ceiling.  There is always a piano player.  Casati is from the Paris Opera Ballet and has a reputation- He seems strict, has a sense of humor and personally I adore him.  It is my favorite class in the world.  Following his career a the Paris Opera he has devoted himself to teaching and the 9:30 morning class and evening classes at 7 pm have become an institution.  I have breezed into them with all my bags upon arrival or just before leaving the city for over thirty years.  It looks like Frederick will guarantee the continuation of the class with his humor, joy, and equal commitment for at least another thirty years.

I also join a friend at a floor barre class at The Institut Stanlowa in the 8th arrondisment which has a full range of open ballet classes for adults during the week.