Interview with Kate, a student at the Professional Children's School

132 West 60th Street
NY, NY 10023
www.pcs-nyc.org
212.582.3116

Head of School, Dr. James Dawson
John Tucker, Coordinator of Public Relations
Carol Kleban, Principal

By Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
March 4, 2003

In the Library of Professional Children's School (PCS), I had the opportunity to interview Ashley and Kate, students of Dance and seniors at PCS. This was another very enjoyable visit to PCS, courtesy of John Tucker, the amiable and professional Public Relations Coordinator, who carefully arranged these interviews. Kate is the subject of this Inside Perspective.

Kate

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Kate and John Tucker, PR Coordinator, PCS

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REZ - Tell me about your background as a dancer.

Kate - I'm a senior at PCS. I was a dancer at SAB for four and one half years, and I was accepted early admission to Harvard. I stopped dancing at SAB in December and am now teaching at my old school under Alexia Hess and Karen Angiello in Midland Park, NJ. I'm still a student at PCS, even though I'm no longer at SAB.

REZ - Did you ever dance with other companies?

Kate - I started with Irene Fokine, the niece of Michel Fokine (of the original Ballet Russes). I started with Irene at five, and, in 3rd grade, at nine; I took multiple classes and pointe.

REZ - When did you audition for SAB?

Kate - When I was thirteen.

REZ - Tell me about a typical day at PCS.

Kate - I come in at 8:00 AM and have 2 academic classes, 8 - 10 AM. Then I'm at SAB from 10:30 - 12 noon. I'm back at PCS at 12:30 and have 2 more academic classes, 12:30 - 2:00 PM. Then, I'm back to SAB, 2:30 - 4:00 PM. Then I go home and do homework.

REZ - So, you stay home at night and study.

Kate - Studying has been a big focus, as academics have been a whole priority. Ballet was my passion, and I was able to pursue ballet and never compromise academics.

REZ - Tell me about the academic life here.

Kate - I was here four periods of the day and I took additional courses on Guided Study, meeting with my teachers only once a week. Last year I took Constitutional Law and then Current Politics on Guided Study. This year I took French V on Guided Study and I read The Marriage of Figaro, by BeaumarchÈ. It was a critique of the aspects of society that have double standards. My teacher was Mme. HannouchÈ. I would meet with her one hour and fifteen minutes. We spoke as much in French as possible. We just discussed the plot and characters. I'm still in this class. I rejoined my fellow students.

REZ - So, you're going to Harvard.

Kate - I felt Harvard was my dream and goal since I was ten. My Dad went there. We went to football games. Getting accepted at Harvard was a dramatic accomplishment and a huge relief. The next four years were all set. At Harvard I'll major in English and get a certificate in French. I'll live on the Quad.

REZ - Where will you study ballet?

Kate - I may join the Harvard Ballet Company. It's low-key. I want to take it easy and explore options. I may want to join Clubs and write. I'm sure I'll continue dancing in college and might take open classes at Boston Ballet. To me, academics will be a focus. Dance has been a huge part of my life, but not as big now as it used to be.

REZ - How has PCS shaped your life?

Kate - This is the only place in the world that could have given me this High School experience - an education that prepared me for the best college. PCS is the reason I succeeded in ballet and in the academic part of life. PCS allowed me to develop aspects of my personality and cultivate everything that's important to me.

REZ - Do you actually go to dance events?

Kate -- I attend dance concerts and have a series at ABT (American Ballet Theatre).