As my tribute to Women’s History Month, I present a book written by my friend—and JSF Board Member—Edwina Pendarvis, a great scholar and a great person.
Edwina was born in Floyd County, Kentucky. She has lived much of her life in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. A nationally recognized authority on gifted education and talent development, she currently lives in Huntington, West Virginia, not far from Marshall University where she taught and conducted research for thirty years and is currently professor emeritus in education. “Another World: Ballet Lessons from Appalachia” combines her academic expertise with her first-hand perspective on Appalachian culture.
This fascinating book is the result of five years of intense research and thoughtful writing. It views ballet through the eyes of twenty-four Appalachian women – most are from the Tri-State area – who began their ballet lessons in childhood.
Combining research in dance with analysis of interviews with the women, the work highlights what ballet meant to girls who sought a more magical world than the one they occupied. Keen in insight and colorful in detail, the narrative includes experiences of renowned dancers, past and present—Maria Tallchief, Misty Copeland, and Wendy Whelan among others. Surprising notables, world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, born in Louisville, Kentucky, and Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics, Mary Lou Retton, from Fairmont, West Virginia, make cameo appearances in the narrative, too. “Another World: Ballet Lessons from Appalachia” recognizes vital intersections—children and their families, students and their teachers, local and global communities—in the development of talent.
Ballet is not a dance form people generally associate with Appalachia, but it is central to the lives of many who live in eastern Kentucky and southern Ohio. As autumn turns to winter, children and adults in Ashland, Catlettsburg, Flatwoods, Greenup, Russell, Wurtland, Worthington, and across the river in Ironton get ready for a performance of “The Nutcracker” as part of how they celebrate the season.
Five women from this area participated in Dr. Pendarvis’ interviews: Lynn Cohen, Christina St. Clair, Yvonne DeKay and Mitzi Sinnott (mother and daughter), and the late Caroline Wilson. Their experiences explain the appeal of ballet in terms of its beauty; the challenge of mastering the physical and intellectual skills required; and the confidence, self-discipline, and friendships formed in ballet classes and recitals.
This book will interest parents whose children are interested in dance lessons or already take them; dance teachers; adult ballet students; and other readers interested in the social, psychological, and educational factors that affect the development of talent in our corner of the world.
In short, it is an engaging story, not only about ballet, but about life in the hills and hollows of central Appalachia. This 351-page softback contains scores of black and white photographs and retails for $25.00. It is available at the JSF Bookstore at 4440 13th Street in Ashland and can be purchased on this website, or by calling 606.326.1667 or emailing jsf@jsfbooks.com.
By James M. Gifford
JSF CEO & Senior Editor
As my tribute to Women’s History Month, I present a book written by my friend—and JSF Board Member—Edwina Pendarvis, a great scholar and a great person.
Edwina was born in Floyd County, Kentucky. She has lived much of her life in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. A nationally recognized authority on gifted education and talent development, she currently lives in Huntington, West Virginia, not far from Marshall University where she taught and conducted research for thirty years and is currently professor emeritus in education. “Another World: Ballet Lessons from Appalachia” combines her academic expertise with her first-hand perspective on Appalachian culture.
This fascinating book is the result of five years of intense research and thoughtful writing. It views ballet through the eyes of twenty-four Appalachian women – most are from the Tri-State area – who began their ballet lessons in childhood.
Combining research in dance with analysis of interviews with the women, the work highlights what ballet meant to girls who sought a more magical world than the one they occupied. Keen in insight and colorful in detail, the narrative includes experiences of renowned dancers, past and present—Maria Tallchief, Misty Copeland, and Wendy Whelan among others. Surprising notables, world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, born in Louisville, Kentucky, and Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics, Mary Lou Retton, from Fairmont, West Virginia, make cameo appearances in the narrative, too. “Another World: Ballet Lessons from Appalachia” recognizes vital intersections—children and their families, students and their teachers, local and global communities—in the development of talent.
Ballet is not a dance form people generally associate with Appalachia, but it is central to the lives of many who live in eastern Kentucky and southern Ohio. As autumn turns to winter, children and adults in Ashland, Catlettsburg, Flatwoods, Greenup, Russell, Wurtland, Worthington, and across the river in Ironton get ready for a performance of “The Nutcracker” as part of how they celebrate the season.
Five women from this area participated in Dr. Pendarvis’ interviews: Lynn Cohen, Christina St. Clair, Yvonne DeKay and Mitzi Sinnott (mother and daughter), and the late Caroline Wilson. Their experiences explain the appeal of ballet in terms of its beauty; the challenge of mastering the physical and intellectual skills required; and the confidence, self-discipline, and friendships formed in ballet classes and recitals.
This book will interest parents whose children are interested in dance lessons or already take them; dance teachers; adult ballet students; and other readers interested in the social, psychological, and educational factors that affect the development of talent in our corner of the world.
In short, it is an engaging story, not only about ballet, but about life in the hills and hollows of central Appalachia. This 351-page softback contains scores of black and white photographs and retails for $25.00. It is available at the JSF Bookstore at 4440 13th Street in Ashland and can be purchased on this website, or by calling 606.326.1667 or emailing jsf@jsfbooks.com.
By James M. Gifford
JSF CEO & Senior Editor
