Herci Marsden

First lady of ballet, Herci Marsden, celebrates 50 years at Brae Crest

By PATRICIA A. RUSSELL, Valley Breeze Staff Writer

LINCOLN - All eyes are on Herci Marsden.

The music begins.

"Let's see that look - straight up! Don't drop your chin," says the teacher.

The dancers move to life.

"Yes, you can let go of the bar. Make that little bend, so it's soft. Beautiful!" says the elegant Marsden, standing in the middle of her studio off Sherman Avenue.

This is the Brae Crest School of Classical Ballet, which is celebrating its 50th season and the State Ballet of Rhode Island's 49th performing season.

Marsden, a founding member of both the school and the ballet company, is still dancing on her toes and teaching throughout the day, including Monday and Wednesday late-morning classes.

The class runs from 11 a.m. to noon. The timing is perfect, say participants. Like folks who use their lunch hour to go to the gym, the women work the ballet class into their busy lives.

"It fits my schedule," says Kate Kenworthy.

Co-owner of Edge Athletics Performance & Training Center in the old Sayles Mill in Lincoln, Kenworthy says she just joined the ballet class after taking a six-year hiatus after the birth of her daughter.

The 31-year-old Cumberland resident, who had taken ballet classes elsewhere, heard of the 11 o'clock class at Brae Crest School of Classical Ballet and thought she'd give it a whirl.

It appeals to her because she can schedule the hour-long class into her workday as a personal trainer. She arrives at the studio, does a quick change, dances, and then after another quick change, she's back in her gym clothes and ready to work.

A breast cancer survivor who recently had reconstructive surgery, ballet is helping her with endurance and flexibility as well as with range of motion in her shoulder.

Oh, there's one more thing, she adds: "It's fun."

For 15 years, Cynthia Stetsenko of Smithfield has been coming to the morning class. A part-time bookkeeper and ballroom dance instructor, she says the class makes her feel good emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Julie Marcotte, 36, of Lincoln, owner of the Rhode Island Pilates Studio in Lincoln, says her grandmother danced here until she was 72. "I'm hoping to do the same," she says.

"I love dancing in the morning," says Kim Newman of Barrington, who comes twice a week.

Cumberland resident Ann Rossetti says that Marsden "is an inspiration for us students."

The class time is perfect for Akiko Nishiyama of North Attleboro, who has a toddler and an infant.

While she has someone care for her oldest child, she usually brings the baby to class while she dances.

"I believe strongly in bringing children with you," says Marsden, whose four children spent a lot of time in the studio.

The studio - originally a horse barn - is adorned with many framed photographs of dancers who've taken classes. There are many taken over the years of the 70-year-old Marsden, who recalls that, as a child, she loved to dance. Growing up in Croatia, she danced on her parents' kitchen table when she was 2.

At 18, she auditioned for the Croatian National Ballet, where she met her first husband, Myles, who was an international student at the time. The couple decided to give up their professional dance careers and open a ballet school in Lincoln.

When they divorced, she continued on her own.

Her second husband, John "Duje" Radovnik, sound director for the State Ballet, died this past year.

Marsden, who misses him and visits his grave daily, says she has always looked ahead. "I'll never give up," she says. "That's what keeps me going."

Marsden, her daughter Ana, son Mark, granddaughter Shana, and staff of dancers and alumni from the State Ballet of Rhode Island established high standards in dance education.

Marsden taught classical ballet at the University of Rhode Island for 29 years. Hundreds of basketball and soccer players took the credit course. "I taught theory, too," she recalls. "I made them write me reports on the ballet and made them go see my ballet."

What is it that continues to draw her to ballet?

"It's my escape from reality," she says, adding, "I like make-believe."

Marsden is at the studio every day, dressed in tights and a long, flowing, pale pink ballet skirt and ballet slippers.

Of the school and ballet company, Marsden says, "I just want it to go on."

The school and company, at 52 Sherman Ave. in Lincoln, are just 10 minutes north of Providence. From now through Nov. 1, an open house is being held Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and on Saturday mornings 9:30 to noon, or by appointment. The school offers all levels of training for ages 3 and up. Call 334-2560 or visit their Web site stateballet.com.

Julie Marcotte of Lincoln during a ballet class at Brae Crest.

Kate Kenworthy, of Lincoln, participates in ballet to help with endurance and flexibility.