M
imi holds to certain values
that she seeks to instill, among them
commitment, focus, confidence,
kindness and compassion. “[There is] …
kindness necessary to convey knowledge
without hurting a child,” she said, “and
also having the discipline to teach them
that what we are asking is necessary. I
never have to raise my voice … I tell
them, ‘No!’ And I can play with them
and be a bear or a turtle and they love
me.”
Quick to credit her team of professionals
for the success and quality of BAA,
Mimi’s gratitude draws support like a
magnet. She often calls attention to those
she admires. She mentions a family of
dancers who joined her from Mexico.
“I trust them completely,” she said,
describing the mother of this group as
an, “Amazing teacher. Amazing.” She
remembers, too, how one student’s
mother ended up networking with tutu
makers around the world and now
produces high quality costumes locally.
Many other dancers, as well, flow in
and out of BAA to teach master classes.
In 2015, Mayor David A. Condon
recognized Mimi’s unique role and
contribution to the city of Spokane:
“Your commitment not only to building
a business here in Spokane but to
mentoring and coaching its young people
speaks to a deep and abiding devotion to
our city.”
Photo credit: Scott Martinez Photography
Mimi was greatly affected after meeting
her inspiration, the late Marcia Dale
Weary. Weary began her own teaching
career in a red barn behind her house in
Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1955. She went
on to found the Central Pennsylvania
Youth Ballet (CPYB), which turned
out many, many top tier national and
international professionals. “I got to
see the barn,” says Mimi. “It’s amazing
what she did with that space. She had it
divided up into smaller rooms for each
dance level. The rooms were so tiny!
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ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
Master Class with Zippora Karz
http://zipporakarz.com/
photo: James and Kathy Mangis Photography