-- In a memoir that captivates both sports enthusiasts and dance aficionados, former professional ballerina Roni Mahler has published "Tomboy Ballerina: My Life from Baseball to American Ballet Theatre and Beyond," offering readers an intimate look at how baseball legend Mickey Mantle influenced her remarkable journey through the elite world of classical ballet.
Photo Courtesy of: Roni Mahler
The book, published by McFarland & Company, Inc., chronicles Mahler's extraordinary path from cheering at Yankee Stadium to performing principal roles with American Ballet Theatre, one of the nation's most prestigious ballet companies. Mahler's memoir reveals how she used Mantle as a personal inspiration during challenging moments in her ballet career, drawing fortitude from the Hall of Fame center fielder's blend of talent, temper, and tenacity—traits she recognized in herself.
"Reflecting on her journey, Mahler contemplates the blend of talent, temper, and tenacity that connected her to her early childhood heroes, and how these traits fueled her dual passions," writes Dennis Nahat, former ABT Principal Dancer and founder of Cleveland Ballet/Ballet San Jose. The memoir has also garnered praise from Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster Bob Costas.
Mahler's distinguished performing career began at age 18 when she joined the corps de ballet of the renowned Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. She later became Principal Dancer at the National Ballet of Washington, D.C., under George Balanchine's guidance, before returning to New York City in 1969, as a soloist with American Ballet Theatre, in principal roles including the Queen of the Wilis in "Giselle".
Written in collaboration with her ballet student Caroline O'Connor, "Tomboy Ballerina" details Mahler's performing career and groundbreaking work as a ballet teacher. As a pioneer in athletic cross-training, Mahler created "Ballet Movement for the Athlete," a fitness program she customized for the NFL's Cleveland Browns in 1984.
For over three decades, Mahler served as Artistic Associate of Cleveland Ballet/Ballet San Jose, where she taught, coached, and performed character roles. Her teaching credits span prestigious institutions including Ballet Academy East, The Alvin Ailey School, The Juilliard School, The Joffrey School, School of Ballet San Jose, and Ballet Tech. As a former tenured Assistant Professor at Kansas State University, she initiated the KSU Dance Degree program. Kansas State honored her with the Roni Mahler Ballet Studio and presented an annual award in her name for fifteen years.
Currently, Mahler teaches 17 ballet classes weekly via Zoom to students worldwide, continuing the legacy she inherited from her mentor, Madame Maria Yurieva Swoboda. The memoir has received endorsements from notable figures including former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Maria Calegari and Diana White, New York City Ballet Soloist Dancer. Both are Répétiteurs for the George Balanchine and Robbins Rights Trusts.
About Roni Mahler Ballet
Roni Mahler Ballet celebrates the art of ballet through teaching, mentorship, and storytelling. Founded by former American Ballet Theatre soloist and National Ballet of Washington principal dancer Roni Mahler, the organization offers live online ballet classes via Zoom to students worldwide. Guided by Madame Maria Yurieva Swoboda's masterful teachings, Roni’s approach shares classical ballet technique with warmth, clarity, and personal attention. Roni Mahler Ballet provides in-person teaching engagements, including master classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions. With a teaching philosophy rooted in empathy and creating a safe haven for students, Roni Mahler Ballet inspires the next generation of dancers while preserving classical ballet traditions.
Contact Info:
Name: Roni Mahler
Email: Send Email
Organization: Roni Mahler Ballet
Website: https://www.ronimahlerballet.com/
Release ID: 89175941
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