Harkness Veteran Amelia Wanderlingh Emerges

Amelia’s Harkness story

“You’re soooo right about the spiritual part of the dance that I also believe makes up the better part of our existance. Dance if it doesn’t come from the soul means nothing no matter how many pirouettes you can do. I also danced until my later years and if it wasn’t for a car that hit me (but that’s another story, that thank God I’m slowly getting over) I’d probably be still doing something on stage. I’m teaching and directing the Foundation and perhaps thanks to the car hitting me and all the therapy, I’m told that I’m quite good at helping young students who are told they will never dance because of some problem or other to get them to realize their dreams. I pray dear Mickey that your strength of character and soul soothes the pains and that your beauty continues to shine.” —Amelia Wanderlingh

Both images courtesy of Amelia Wanderlingh, Artistic Director of Vancliffen Arts Foundation, Canada

“These are the last of the Harkness early days material  that I have.
There is the picture of Mrs. Harkness in the fish with a young Bob Scever and Mr. Fokine teaching the Pas de deux class for them. Mr. Fokine was also her private teacher. The other shows the original company with the names of the principals and corps and Mr. Fokine, Vera Volkova and George Skibine, the picture was taken at Watch hill. while turning ove one of the pictures I saw the name of the program that aired on t.v. subject was Leon Fokine, Harkness ballet and it was called “Simple Gifts” Special. It aired on Thursday, September 9th from 8-9 pm. There is also a date August 20th 1965. Maybe you can find it it was on WCBS, they still might have it in the archives.”—Amelia

Dance class in the early Harkness days (courtesy of Amelia Wanderlingh, Artistic Director of Vancliffen Arts Foundation, Canada)