Tara Foy Passionate Ballet Educator Extraordinaire
I first met Ballet Mistress Tara Foy at a "West Coast Dance Explosion" regional convention in Phoenix seven years ago. My daughter Jessica had just started to get her dancing feet under her. When I saw a connection between Tara and Jess I took the initiative to arrange a private lesson between the two. It was one of the best things I have ever done for Jessica. A few months passed before they had there first lesson. That is when I really got to know Tara. The private was held in a small well-camouflaged studio on a poorly lit street off the Las Vegas Strip. I distinctly remember its close proximity to a Harley Davidson superstore. I didn't immediately recognize that the atmosphere of the evening would be a testimonial to the woman inside.
Tara's petite frame does not do her justice. She is a dynamo. She has a way of communicating to her class that keeps them interested in Ballet. Doing this at your average dance convention is no easy accomplishment. Rewind back to the small Las Vegas studio. Very little time was spent with informalities. Tara got right to work. She is a direct, no nonsense type of lady that commands the respect of her students. In return, she provides the experience and love for her craft like no other. Jessica now is one of "Tara's kids," a distinct honor given to a few chosen students that have displayed to her the same love, devotion, and respect for ballet that she has for years.
So why the correlation between Tara and that small studio on a dark back street of Las Vegas next to that Harley Davidson store? It's because Tara's size is small yet she still dominates the stage. When she's in the room you can feel her presence, much like you would when a Harley Davidson motorcycle turns on to your street. You hear the rumbling and have to look. Recently Tara came to see Jessica and another one of her kids, Marqui Matkowski, at New York City Dance Alliance Nationals.
The first thing on her agenda was to observe the girls during a ballet class. As I sat by her side on the balcony level of the Waldorf Grande Ballroom, I was amazed at how quickly not only Jessica and Marqui, but several other participants recognized that Tara had entered the room. BOOM! Immediately, the posture changed. That Harley Davidson hum began to filter across the masses. "How did my arabesque look? Was I properly turned out during that combination?" I can't say whether that was the exact dialogue while I sat there, but it was obvious that there were many young dancers now trying to impress Tara while she intently watched the class. What does it take to command this kind of respect? Why do so many talented individuals concern themselves with Tara's opinion? While in New York, I sat down with Tara to find out.
Tara trained at the Royal Ballet School of London. Her resume of company credentials is extensive. Once in the United States she studied under her mentor and friend Ernie Corvino. To this day, Tara has a very special place in her heart for Corvino. "Having a mentor is very important. Ernie was and is very special to me. She is a very dear friend" Tara explained. While in New York, Tara took time to catch up with Ernie, something she tries to do whenever in "The City." Normally, Tara would take Corvino's class, however, this time would be different, as her father (Ballet Master Dr. Alfredo Corvino of Pina Bausch) was very ill during her stay. Tara loves to learn. Her friend Ernie is one of her prime sources of education and inspiration.
More importantly, Tara loves to teach. She inspires young people to want to take Ballet. She emphasizes to her students to be passionate yet places equal importance on them having fun. Knowing Tara means knowing that she excels in both. Tara's persona makes her very approachable. She is funny and witty and exudes passion for her craft. She respects her students and demands the same respect from them. Tara believes "It is important that my students respect each other, respect Ballet, and respect me." "Respect and etiquette are the keys to learning." If a student is passionately willing to give him or herself to Ballet for Tara, she will return that passion to the student 100 times over. It is Tara's heart that separates her from her colleagues. Tara professes, "Sometimes on the convention circuit I found myself in a city where I questioned my ability to make a difference professionally or leave a positive impression on my class and then, one student does something that makes me really appreciate what I do." Tara told me about such a student. Her name was "Abby." She wrote a letter to her explaining how Tara had helped Abby to love ballet and had given her hope to someday become a ballerina.Tara kept that letter in her purse for over one year as a constant reminder of why she continues to teach Ballet.
A small personal editorial note about my friend Tara: For years, I have watched Tara. Tara enjoys being herself. She is comfortable in her own skin. I love Tara for this. We have no problem sharing our opinions with each other on anything. She is not one to conform, nor will she preach the company line if it does not coincide with her own values. She truly loves her students, not for the money, not for the recognition, she loves them for the development that they show in their own ability and their love and respect for her passion, Ballet. There aren't many ballet teachers of national recognition that would take their own time and expense to travel across the country to watch two of their students (or "her kids" as she calls them) at a competitive venue. I am extremely lucky and proud to know her. Hopefully someday, you will have the same privilege that I have had.