Special to the Town Crier
A book-signing at Heintzelman's Bookstore in Los Altos offered a more satisfying star-gazing experience than the Leonid meteor shower: Julia Adam, a star of the San Francisco Ballet, was there on Nov. 21 to sign copies of a new book, "At The Ballet," by Sandra Lee and Tom Hunt.
Adam will dance stellar roles, both the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen, in the San Francisco Ballet production of "The Nutcracker," which opens Dec. 15.
Born in Ottawa, Canada, she trained at the prestigious National Ballet School of Canada and danced in the National Ballet of Canada before joining the San Francisco Ballet in 1988. She was named principal dancer in 1996. "At The Ballet" is a book of photographs taken both on stage and backstage over a five-year period. "It's a gorgeous book," Adam said. "(It's) a unique and intimate look instead of dancers only looking pretty and made up."
Melissa Tipton and Laurin Guthrie, both dance students, and Laurin's mother, Carol Guthrie, came from Palo Alto to buy the book and meet a ballerina in it.
"Shall I sign here on my picture?" Adam asked. She showed them the photo of herself splendidly costumed for the Spanish dance in "Swan Lake" and then pointed out, "Here I am rehearsing with my partner, Yuri."
She reassured the young dancers that it is important not to begin toe-dancing, "en pointe," too soon. Adam told them she started dance "late," at age 10. Adam said she liked "skating, ice-hockey, and beating up on boys."
Kacy Takamoto and her mother came from Los Altos Hills to get their book and autograph. Kacy said she has been dancing for 10 years. After hearing Adam describe exciting preparations for San Francisco Ballet's new production of "Giselle," her mother expressed interest in going to San Francisco to see it. Although she loves the classics, too, Adam said, "I'm a '90s woman. I like contemporary ballets best. It is great to have a new role created for me."
She sees the choreographic experience from both sides now. She has made dances for several companies, including the Alberta Ballet, in Calgary, and BalletMet, in Ohio.
The San Francisco Ballet recently toured to New York, Copenhagen and Paris.