ON A PERSONAL NOTE...

A Russian-born dancer and teacher’s debut memoir expresses her love of the arts and tells of her search for new understanding.

Draw, an associate professor of dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, was born in Irkutsk, Siberia,and wanted to dance from a young age. At the age of 7, she began ballet training in a local studio and later progressed to the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet School. This led to a career in dance and dance instruction, in which her creative expression and artistic view of the world were valued. She recounts her experiences in Russia, Canada, Denmark, and, finally, the United States, exploring her relationship to her art and to the craft of teaching, and her insights will appeal not only to those who appreciate ballet, but also those with interest in the creative arts in general. At times, the memoir can slip a little too deeply into philosophical meditations, which can be jarring at times, but it naturally follows the author’s train of thought in a manner that’s refreshing. Particularly intriguing is the context that Draw provides regarding the operations of prestigious ballet schools. She also addresses authoritarianism in education and in government; she grew up in the Soviet Union and, for years, was unable to travel internationally under the Communist regime. Draw’s reflections on the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular, demonstrate her later reawakening to the importance of the arts: “I was only occupied in Zoom calls with my class of 24 dancers from Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 1:00pm. This, to me, seemed like the only truly important thing I had to do.” These lead to an engaging section that explores a variety of topics, from dreams to creativity, that some readers may find inspiring.

A somewhat meandering set of remembrances and meditations but one that may resonate with readers searching for an artistic purpose.