One of the happiest times of my life was when I was dancing with Sacramento Ballet. Now I am NOT a dancer by any means, but I used to take class religiously when I lived in San Francisco and I was told by Alonzo King (One of the best coaches EVER) that Sacramento Ballet was desperate for boys and I should try out.
I did and I got to dance. Not a big part but it was amazing to be able to work on a stage and just communicate by using my body and not my voice. It was really one of the best expierences EVER.
The lead dancer was a guy named Gregory Amato. I was frightened of him. His smile. His genuineness. His masculinity. His presence. I so desperatly wanted to be accepted as a dancer by the other members of the snotty 18somethings that have been taking ballet class since they could walk. Laughing at me in my black tights and lumberjack shirt. Sitting out the last part of the daily class because I was too scared to leap and spin. To take flight with the rest of them. Afraid to look like a fool.
But Greg was the very first one to look directly into my eyes and welcome me. He was only a few years older than I was and didn't start dancing until college. His love for ballet pushed him into a risky career at an older age and he immediatly became a hot property. Not only was he the lead of all THREE ballets that were performing but he also danced with Smuin Ballet in San Francisco. One of the best companies in California and a Bay Area favorite.
Not really knowing him, it was hard to keep track of what he had been up to after I left San Francisco for LA. But he is gone. No longer with Smuin Ballet or guesting with Sacramento. I sometimes scope the internet to see if I can find something. Nada.
You wonder why I am so interested in Greg. A man I barely knew. I guess like John Kriza he seemed like the perfect mix of grace, passion and masculinity. All things I wish I saw in myself. It also takes a lot of passion to be a dancer. Especially starting as late as Greg did. And when you stop dancing, it's like letting go a part of your soul.
I hope Greg is happy.
2 comments:
This sounds very similar to my experience with Greg. We danced together in Joffrey Ballet Concert Group in NY. We were best of friends, inseoerable, during those years (1985- 1987) before he went to Miami City Ballet. I stayed in NY to dance with The Joffrey Ballet throughout the end of the year then moved my career to Europe. The last time I saw him was in France when he was dancing with Ballet du Nord, I was visiting friends in the company and to my great surprise there was Greg.
I haven't seen him since and have been searching desperately to find him but no luck. I miss my buddy and if anyone knows his whereabouts please send him my way.
Best regards,
Trinidad Bermudez
trinidadbermudez@yahoo.com
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