When I was growing up in San Antonio one of the things my mother thought one DID was to go to dancing school in the 6Th grade.
This wasn't ballet or tap (which I did from the age of 5), it was ballroom. And it wasn't merely learning the fox trot and it certainly was NEVER some kind of prep for a competition! No. This could have been called 'social graces' because what we did was learn fox trot, waltz, samba AND we learned the rules of cutting in, escorting a girl back to her chair, what to wear, how to get punch from the punch table, what to eat and what not to eat: a way of being that has clearly disappeared.
And the place everyone went to learn these things was Amory Oliver's in Alamo Heights. Alamo Heights (even way back then we all called it 09 for its zip code, 78209) was where old money resided in San Antonio, and Miss Oliver's studio was there. It was dilapidated in a genteel way. We all got dressed up every week as if we were going to Cotillion or coming out. I think I even wore white gloves.
This was one of the things you did to become a decent and social human being.
I was thinking about this over the weekend. How I'd like to find a place for Emery and Wilbur to take the same kind of lessons. I wonder if it even exists. I thought, it's a faded life that kind of social grace. I won't give up on it though! After all, if I pass it down to my boys then there are two more souls in the world who know how to lightly tap on the shoulder of a boy when he'd like to dance with the girl that young man is waltzing.
And then that boy will punch Emery or Wilbur in the nose.
Well, we'll try anyway...
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Monday, July 14, 2008
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7 comments:
My introduction to Miss Oliver was when I was 6 and it was ballet twice a week. Not all of Alamo Heights were the wealthy. We were middle class from one of the small track homes built in the early '50's. I was always thrilled and awed to be in her class. I was far, far from the best dancer, did I say far enough, but I doubt no one wanted to please her more. She was commanding and fun. Strict and supportive. And I probably annoyed her more than joyed her. But, a half a century later, after my own stage career (still a bad dancer), theatre training and degrees, and now University teaching, I hope to inspire one student as she inspired me. I moved from SA when I was 11, and I so regret not knowing her when I think I could most appreciate her, but I still carry her with me.
Do you know if she is still in SA? What her background is? And how she is?
Susan Lehman
slehman@wcupa.edu
I was thinking of Amory Oliver this morning while preparing a sermon for this coming Sunday. (King David dancing before the ark of the covenant, and King Herod beheading John the Baptist after Herodias's dance) I Googled her name and was delighted to find these two good memories of her class. I went to her ballroom dancing classes for 3 years in the early 1960's. I moved away from San Antonio in 1965 back to my native California, but I still remember introducing my dance partner to the evening's hosts as in a receiving line.
Dean Farrar
I took ballet with Amory Oliver for 11 years, through 1982, as well ballroom dancing. Every now and then I find my toe shoes in the closet, put them on, stand high on them, curse my weak ankles, and take them off. Miss Oliver was an incredible, inspiring teacher in her own quiet way. She is still in San Antonio; my sister visits with her regularly and I spoke with her last year.
ginny (virginia clegg) lindzey
I just had lunch yesterday with Amory Oliver. Please contact me at ginlindzey at hotmail dot com if you would like to get in touch with her. We (my sister and I) showed her your blog and your fond memories....
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Sitting here in North Carolina now with Miss Oliver, as her caregiver, and she wants me to tell you all, "hello" and "thanks for the fond memories". While she can't remember every detail right now, she remembers the important stuff! I read to her, each of the comments that you all made. She fanned herself with the fan, and bat her eyelashes. Now, I didn't know her in SA, BUT if she was feisty then...SHE IS STILL FEISTY NOW!
Her family is very appreciative of your sweet comments about our dear aunt. Amory passed away on May 12,2016 at the age of 93. She was her usual feisty until the end.
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