Prima ballerina to guest teach Yuma ballet teachers

Rochelle Zide-Booth, renowned prima ballerina and master teacher, will be in Yuma Thursday to Oct. 28 to instruct ballet classes at the Yuma Ballet Academy, 3942 S. Avenue 4-1/2E.

Now living in Tucson, Zide-Booth agreed to come to Yuma for the classes at the academy owned by Jon Cristofori and Kathleen Sinclair.

"When Ballet Yuma was in Tucson two years ago for the Regional Dance America - Pacific festival, Zide-Booth and Jon recalled experiences when they were both involved with the Joffrey Ballet. She agreed to come to Yuma," Sinclair said.

The classes will open to area teachers interested in techniques the ballerina has taught throughout her more than 50 years on the dance floor. Space is limited; for times and availability, call 314-4762.

In the ballet world, Zide-Booth has become known internationally. She was soloist for the Ballet Russe De Monte Carlo when she was 16, and from age 20-27, she was principal dancer, ballet mistress and company teacher of Joffrey Ballet.

While in New York, she was prima ballerina, artistic director and professor for several dance companies and colleges.

She taught master classes for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Prague, plus ballet and dance conservatories in Jerusalem, Israel, and The Hague, Netherlands.

The ballerina has been recipient of numerous awards and honors, among them a Fulbright Lectureship in Czechoslovakia, merit of award for teaching from Adelphi and medal for service to the Korean Ballet.

She was an associate professor in the Jordan College of Fine Arts Department of Dance and received special awards for distinguished service.

Recently, she was granted status as professor emeritus in dance from Butler University and is on the advisory board for Regional Dance America, of which Ballet Yuma is an honor company.

Pam M. Smith can be reached at psmith@ yumasun.com or 539-6856.