Tabernacle Choir X-mas performance

It was a beautiful event. The first thing I wanted to do when I ran out there to dance to 12 Days of Christmas right in front of the, I think, 200-member choir, was to FREEZE! I had goose bumps all over! I thought I was translated for some time, then eventually got accustomed to it, and had a blast dancing a part of the variation from the 5 little swans in swan lake--It was a somewhat comical version to the music of 12 Days. I initially should have been the Partridge in the tree and should have been flown in from backstage, but they cut budget last minute and decided to not fly the partridge in anymore. Plus, then one of the U of U dancers broke her leg and Carol Iwasaki needed someone to fill in for the 7th swan. That's how I got my part. I found it very unfortunate that the swans and some other fabulous characters from 12 Days were not represented in the finale and bow at the end of the show at all. Let's hope that the recording for PBS TV and the Tab Choir Christmas DVD for next year will show our dance in full representation of all characters. The Kings singers from England where a lot of fun backstage as well as on stage.

Below some pictures of us swans.

Felicitas Katharina

I am a great-aunt!!! Felicitas Katharina was born to my cousin Joerg and Patricia. Herzliche Glueckwuensche!

Ich bin eine Grosstante!

Geboren/Born: November 3, 2007
Zeit/Time: 9:15
Groesse/Length: 48 cm
Gewicht/Weight: 2930 g

This is at her baptism in Swizerland. Nach der Taufe in der Schweiz.

Froehliche Weihnachten!!!

Froehliche Weihnachten an Alle! Merry Christmas to all my friends!

To View my Christmas Greetings, please go to:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1738694072

:-)

Manja

Festival of Lights DC Visitor's Center

Finally, the big moment has come. I performed with MArvin Goldstein at the Washington DC LDS Temple Visitor's Center. OUr evening was part of the program of the Festival of Lights where 1000s of lights have been turned on on Temple Square to celebrate the Christmas season. Marvin performed for 30 min and the last piece included me dancing to his arrangement of "O Divine Redeemer". The stage scenery included paintings of Carl Bloch which were projected onto the big movie screen as a backdrop for my dancing. It was a great sucess and a breakthrough to have a religious theme danced through Classical Ballet in a festive LDS setting. Tons of kids came to me afterwards to say hello. I also met my former college from BYU Theater Ballet Kerry with her son. You really see how much time flies when you see your friends with their kids. Of course Marvin, Cheryl and her husband Russ, and I and a few other friends were partying all the time throughout this very fun trip.