The Loss of a Legend: Remembering Yvonne Mounsey
Yvonne Mounsey and Francisco Moncion in the Prodigal Son Yvonne Mounsey was a shining light in this world that no one will ever be able to replace. To audiences and critiques, she was a statuesque, glamorous presence that oozed sensuality and joy. To her more than 40-years' worth of students, she was a ball of positive energy--quick to alert you when you weren't executing your technique just right, but even quicker to assure you that you were on the right track. I began taking lessons at Yvonne's Westside School of Ballet (Co-owned and operated with Rosemary Valaire--another irreplaceable human being) in the early 1990s. At that age, I recall being in awe of Yvonne. She had a presence that intimidated, but drew you in--the sort of presence that only a true matriarch could exude. She would come in and watch our rehearsals with great interest a sparkle in her eye that made even the most uncoordinated eight-year-old want to perk up and dance their absolute be...