Inspiration for the Story
The Tale of the Cat and the Ballet Mouse is more than just a children’s book. It’s a story that shows how passion and perseverance can allow you to achieve your dreams.
When I was young, I discovered the magic of dance and have spent my life sharing that passion with others.
Through Mimette’s eyes, young readers get exposed to the majesty of the arts through New York City’s iconic Metropolitan Opera House. As young Mimette explores her new home, she marvels at all the exciting things she discovered. From the small, nondescript rooms backstage where the orchestras and ballerinas practiced their craft, to the magic that happens on the stage when a full production comes to life.
Throughout the book, I have layered real details of what it is like to be a professional ballerina.
Mimette learns to dance as she holds on to a rosin box, an ever-present fixture in any professional dance studio. Like any professional class, the music is performed by a live pianist. I recruited Rodney Hazen and Whit Kellogg who were pianists for the professional classes I attended to do the music for my Story Ballet© Class recordings.
While Vera Denisova is not the Ballet Mistress for the Metropolitan’s ballet corps, she was my ballet coach when I danced for the Vienna State Opera Ballet.
It is my hope that the Tale of the Cat and the Ballet Mouse opens the beauty of the arts to your child and through Mimette inspires them to follow their dreams.