Description: Up for auction "Principal Dancer- New York City Ballet" Merrill Ashley Signed TLS Dated 2001 ES-5967E Merrill Ashley, original name Linda Michelle Merrill, (born Dec. 2, 1950, St. Paul, Minn., U.S.), American ballerina who served as principal dancer for the New York City Ballet (NYCB) in the last quarter of the 20th century. Ashley was raised in Rutland, Vt., and began studying ballet at age seven. In 1964, when she was 13, she received a Ford Foundation scholarship and began to study full time at the School of American Ballet, the official school of NYCB. In 1967 she joined NYCB’s corps de ballet—and changed her name because the company already had a member named Linda Merrill—and before long she was dancing solo roles in addition to appearing with the corps. Ashley officially became a soloist in 1974 and began adding more demanding choreography to her repertoire. She was promoted to the rank of principal dancer in 1977. George Balanchine, the company’s founder, began casting Ashley in more lyrical ballets to broaden her range, and in 1980 he created the second of the two ballets he choreographed for her, Ballade, to display this softer, more romantic side. Other Balanchine ballets that especially demonstrated her artistry include Concerto Barocco, Donizetti Variations, Gounod Symphony, and Chaconne. Besides dancing with NYCB, Ashley formed her own group, Merrill Ashley and Dancers, which toured in 1980 and 1981. She also performed as a guest artist with a number of companies. Her autobiography, Dancing for Balanchine, was published in 1984.
Price: 69.99 USD
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
End Time: 2024-11-25T23:37:03.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
Industry: Music
Signed: Yes
Original/Reproduction: Original
