It’s not often a dancin’ mom gets to have a long chat with her dancin’ son’s artistic director—especially when he dances professionally. However, I had the unique opportunity to interview Aaron Watkin, the artistic director at SemperOper Ballett in Dresden, Germany, just after my son, Julian, danced the biggest role of his career, Des Grieux […]
A Young Male Ballet Dancer’s Perspective on Performing Manon
This past November 2015, my son, Julian Amir Lacey, premiered in the lead role of the three-part ballet, Manon, produced by SemperOper Ballett in Dresden, Germany. This famous ballet was choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, and the MacMillan Foundation chose Julian to perform the principle part in two of six performances. Julian danced the role of […]
My Dancin’ Son Get’s His Television Debut
It’s rare these days for me to be able to “show” you Julian dancing in Germany. However, recently he was chosen as the lead in a short, new piece to be aired on national German television. During the filming, some “unofficial” photos were taken that I was given permission to use. I suppose I could […]
See Nordic Lights in Germany
I recently took another short trip to Germany to see Julian dance in a SemperOper Ballett premier. We were thrilled to see him dance in Nordic Lights, October 25 and 27, three contemporary pieces by Swedish choreographers. We arrived in Germany to a text message asking if we would make it to Dresden by 1 […]
Wilhelm Burmann Talks About How Boys Can Succeed as Dancers (Part 2)
It’s been over a month since I posted Wilhelm Burmann Talks About How Boys Can Succeed as Dancers (Part 1)—or anything else here on this blog. I apologize. My life has been crazy. You’d think it would be calm and simple without my dancin’ boy at home. Life works in mysterious ways, and just as […]
Remembering What Was Given Up to Get to Dresden
Julian moved to Germany this week, boarding a plane at 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning August 8 with his father. I sat in the car outside the airport and watched them check in. I didn’t drive away until the bags—four (including one of his dad’s) and a carry one—were checked and they headed for security. […]
It’s Official: My Dancin’ Boy is a Professional Dancer!
It’s official. My dancin’ boy is a professional dancer! Really. The contract came in the mail–in German–from Semperoper Ballett. We put it through a translator online. Julian signed the original copy, which had all the official signatures on it already. He took it to the post office and put it in the mail. Done. The […]