Sara Michelle Murawski Montage 2007-2008

A montage of videos and photos that I happened to have from some of the events of 2007-2008, taken and given to me by friends and family.

I am extremely grateful to Gene Schiavone, who I consider to be the world's best photographer and a beyond-fantastic person, who inspires me to be the best I can be as an artist at what I do, like he is at what he does. Many of his pictures are scattered throughout this montage.

I am also deeply grateful to Justin Allen, an amazing friend and an aspiring photographer who is always with his camera, like Mr. Schiavone said he was when he was Justin's age. Justin is aspiring to be a photographer, and I believe that he will make it big also because of his passion. His devotion to his artform reminds me of Mr. Schiavone who is impressive beyond words as a photographer, artist, and as a person.

I was so lucky and honored this past year to have been photographed by both of these two amazing people. This montage collects photos from both of them and some photos and videos taken by family and other friends. Note that the videos that are shakey were taken by people from my family who are new to using a video camera.

Justin put the whole collection of pics and video clips together for me. He knows how to do just about anything on earth that combines photos and computers. He generously spent his personal time for me to make this montage according to how I hoped it would be put together. I wanted it to be without the use of special effects that could be used such as slowing down action and such. This is because I need this to be authentic. While he was at my apartment working on this montage, Justin took the time to teach me about making projects like this. He was so good at explaining things, and he showed me how to do all sorts of amazing special effects and just about anything, which was fun to learn, even though I did not want fancy effects in this piece.

The photos where I am in the pink leotard are Justin's photography. He is a very talented photographer-- and I hope he will fulfill all of his dreams as a photographer.

Some of the photos from Mr. Schiavone were taken during YAGP in NYC, while he generously took many others of them on my 16th birthday, which made that day in August of 2007 the most wonderful day of my life. Mr. Schiavone did this extreme kindness for me in the middle of an intense weekend, while a group of us were all together for working on photographs for Professor Ken Law's newly pubished edition of his Physics of Ballet book. It was a weekend I will never forget, being in the presence of and being inspired by two of the world's greatest people in their fields: Gene Schiavone in Ballet Photography and Ken Laws in Physics of Ballet.

Thank you with all my heart to Justin, Mr. Schiavone, and Ken Laws (who is like a father to me). I will always remember how each of you reached out to help me and, in the process, touched & inspired me with your art and kindness. I will always cherish the experience of being exposed to each of you, which will inspire me ALWAYS to put forth all of my passion, the way the three of you always do. love, Sara Michelle

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Sara
• Michelle
• Murawski
• ballet
• pointe
• variation
• Don
• Quixote
• Queen
• of
• Dryads
• Chris
• Fleming
• contemporary
• Pas
• de
• Deux
• Swan
• Lake
• Gene
• Schiavone
• Justin
• Allen

[saramurawski]

Thanks everyone, so very much for the wonderful comments here. I am so sorry that I was not logging in here much awhile. But what a wonderful surprise to return here to find all of these incredible statements.You all really make my day and lift me up; it's so wonderful for a dancer to have such encouragement along the way. At times, it's a hard life & at times a dancer feels uncertain or doubtful, but the rewards are well worth it...and the warmth of KIND THOUGHTS makes all the difference!!! <3

[austenacevedo]

Paris opera called they want a contract. Lol you would be perfect.:D

[saramurawski]

@austenacevedo :)) THANK YOU. I wish: I love Paris Opera Ballet. But I love it here too, so I am very happy :) xxo.

[sylphida]

Sara, if you are one of the models in the new edition of Physics of Ballet I might have to get a second copy. Gene's photos of you are among my favorites from his published collection. Justin's work is terrific too! Thanks for sharing these with us :) You are the best Dryad Queen! Best wishes from NYC!

[saramurawski]

@sylphida Thank you so much. Sorry to be so slow in answering. I hardly ever go to this page lately. :) I love Gene's work... he's a genius.... he takes so many photos of so many dancers, that it was a huge honor that he chose me to shoot. And Justin too. I loved doing Dryad Queen. Thanks for the best wishes, and best wishes to you too, always. xoxo

[RainyGarden]

Hello,Sara)

could you tell me please, what music plays during your second dance??

[saramurawski]

p.s. if i can find a way to find out what that music is, I will write and tell you :) Good luck with all of your dancing. love, sara

[mydancetv]

You are AMAZING! Where do you dance now?

[balletcraziness]

you are so awesome!

[JerseyGirll14]

how tall r u?

[austenacevedo]

@RainyGarden Schindlers list.

[RainyGarden]

thank you))