At the Ballet: Lise Reardon reflects on the loves which shaped her life

Lise Reardon has a lot to celebrate. 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of Eastern Connecticut Ballet (ECB) — the dance training school she founded in 1992 — it is also the 10th anniversary of ECB's annual, nautically themed Nutcracker Ballet, performed at the Garde Arts Center in New London.

And, Reardon is celebrating the recently completed renovation of her Niantic dance studio, doubling the existing space. She can hardly contain her enthusiasm, showing off the freshly painted, dramatically updated, light-filled studio; costume room with sewing work station; and dressing room for the older girls. Her intense brown eyes — framed by a crop of auburn curls — particularly shine when she says, "This is the first time in 30 years that I've had my own office!"

But it's unlikely that either ECB or the Nutcracker would exist today if Reardon had not fallen madly in love 40 years ago.

Classically trained in ballet, Reardon grew up in Saint Louis, MO. She remembers her first dance recital at five years old, performing "Turkey in the Straw" in a big red-and-white checkered dress.

"I called my mother 'The Dancing Queen,'" Reardon recalls. "She never got the [opportunity] to take lessons, but she loved to dance, and so did my dad. It was beautiful to watch them on the dance floor."

One important thing Reardon says her mother understood, and that has been her philosophy all these years, is the importance of training over fancy costumes and recitals.

Reardon attended the St. Louis Academy of Dance while in high school, where, she says, "I learned the importance of training, resilience, being strong and dedicated, and working hard — and then you get rewards. Looking back now, it's how I teach at ECB."

She continued studying dance, training in summer programs in Chicago with Ruth Page (among other dance greats) and moved to New York City in the late 1960s, where she studied in various ballet schools until one day, she decided to go to a Julliard audition. She bought a record player, created an audition piece, and was accepted into the prestigious school.

"I loved it," she says. "I had wonderful, inspiring teachers," including Jose Limon, Betty Jones and Kazuko Hirabayashi.

One year into her Julliard training, Reardon's path abruptly changed course. She met her future husband, Bob Reardon, at a Fordham Law School function. In the U.S. Marine Corps., he had a three-year military commitment and was stationed in North Carolina.

"I was head-over-heels in love with him," Reardon says.

They married and Reardon left Julliard. While her husband was completing his tour of duty, Reardon earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education, graduating cum laude from the University of North Carolina.

"It was a tough decision," she says. "On the other hand, I wouldn't change anything; this was my destiny. I could have gotten into a ballet company in New York, but would I have been happier? For 30 years, I've been able to impact a lot of young people's lives and watch them grow into capable, compassionate young adults, who are doing wonderfully."

The Reardons moved to Niantic 36 years ago, where they built a house.

"Bob always wanted to practice law here," Reardon says of her husband, a New London attorney who grew up in Waterford.

"He was always mindful of my love of dancing," she adds, "and has always been a driving force, encouraging me. He knew I gave up a lot."

And so, when the older of the couple's two daughters turned five, Reardon started offering dance classes in their home, where she taught for the next 10 years until the classes grew too big for the house.

"Bob kicked me out," Reardon says, and urged her to open a bricks-and-mortar school. "He always had more faith in me than I did."

ECB was established as a non-profit organization so that Reardon could apply for grants and receive donations.

"Tuition can't support a school," Reardon says. "We give out over $60,000 in scholarships today ... we're growing despite the bad economy. We have a track record of being committed and dedicated to both the students and the community."

And in turn, the community supports ECB, she stresses, using the upcoming Nutcracker performance on Dec. 10-11 as an example.

"It really pulls at the heartstrings of (locally-based) businesses and corporations," Reardon says. "They feel they're helping their own, supporting arts and underserved populations — 2,800 school children go free to the two performances."

"(Our) Nutcracker really taps into the maritime history of the area," she adds. "It's more than just a ballet, it's become such a collaboration with Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and The Garde."

Reardon, who would much rather focus on her students and staff than herself, notes that since Gloria Govrin became ECB's artistic director three seasons ago, she's added her own fresh look and choreography to the Nutcracker, while remaining true to the ECB concept.

"It was a boost of energy when Gloria came," Reardon says. "She's had works created for her by Balanchine. She's an amazing asset."

"It's not just me," Reardon stresses. "I have incredible teachers who work really hard. It's a team. Without the people I work with, this place couldn't be what it is."

In addition to classic ballet, ECB offers modern dance classes led by former José Limón company member Libby Nye, and has expanded into teaching hip hop, jazz and tap.

"In today's dance world, you have to be well-rounded," Reardon explains. "Some of our students want to go into musical theater and modern companies, and all these disciplines require solid dance technique."

Looking back over her years in Connecticut, Reardon reflects, "I really feel it was a gift for me that Bob pushed me in this direction. I don't think there's anything else I'd want to do."