(friends and I before last weekend’s “Performing in New York” showcase)

Hi Wingers!

Well, as usual…it’s been a long time!

Just wanted to give a quick update because a LOT is going on…

First the good news: if you hadn’t already seen it, I was featured in a big New York Times Sunday Arts & Leisure article back in July! It was super exciting even though challenging to be followed around for almost a whole year of freelance dancing. I was thrilled with the article and so honored to receive such a great response from people who read it!

The bad news: I’ve been struggling with achilles bursitis for over 3 years since I was still just a student, and this summer it’s gotten progressively worse. I did something in class back in early July and now I have a tiny tear in the tendon in addition to the chronic bursitis AND what’s called “Haglund’s Deformity,” where my heel bone comes to a point and digs into my tendon.

So…after some really not fun decision making and life evaluating, I’m going to be having surgery tomorrow

They’ll be removing the inflamed bursa and shaving down my heel bone. I have one of the best dance doctors in the city - so this should solve the problem forever.

I’m terrified. I’ve never been sick or had to be in the hospital for anything ever, nevermind surgery. But I’ve gotten a lot of good advice from friends, and I keep reminding myself that many people I know (dancers and not) have been through much much worse than this. If they can do it, so can I!

I’m supposed to be on crutches for a month and then recovery back to full dancing is 3 months I’m really sad to be missing the fall dance season and giving up some good opportunities I had lined up, but I should be back in action and pain-free for audition season in January!

In the meantime, I’ve restarted my blog (after a 9-month hiatus because the Times was scribbling down my life instead…) and will be chronicling my recovery over there - so please check it out

Oh and I recently did my main website here. Feedback appreciated

(hanging out after teaching a new donation-based ballet class for Liberated Movement at Battery Dance Studios…photo by Steven DiCasa)(taking a bow with Exit 12 Dance Company last weekend at The Ailey Citigroup Theater…photo by Arthur Coopchik)