The flame of ballet has burned brightly for one Londoner since she was just a nipper, watching the English National Ballet at the Royal Festival Hall in the early 1960s. It's a love affair that's been dancing through her life ever since – and it shows no signs of slowing down, even as she approaches her eighties.
Those formative years were pivotal. Witnessing the likes of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, she was captivated by the anticipation, the orchestra's arrival, and the magic that unfolded on stage – a transformation from darkness into a dazzling display of sound and movement.
Dance soon became an integral part of her life. From ballet and tap classes to dancing at jazz and rock clubs in her teens, it was always there, a natural outlet for self-expression. And when she had kids, dance became a joyful activity the whole family could enjoy together. Later, as a proud mum, she even started her own dance group for women over 50 – a safe space where movement could be explored without fear of judgment.
Now, in her eighth decade, ballet still brings her closer to her authentic self. Every couple of weeks, she dusts off the old LP of ballet melodies and lets loose in her living room – just like when she was a carefree young girl. It's one of life's greatest pleasures, she says – not just for her body but also for her mind.
When she recently revisited those same familiar melodies, something remarkable happened: the old gestures and movements came flooding back, like recalling a forgotten language. And even though her body may be less spry these days, that moment sparked an irrepressible urge towards life – as if the energy of her younger self was bursting forth once more.