Well, the saying goes, 'What makes GOD laugh '' The reply is, ''People making plans makes '' God laugh? Just as you're getting settled, or think you're getting settled, the world intrudes. I was sure I'd be sailing in the South Seas at this point in my life, and here I am getting ready for a new ballet season. The house in South  Florida that I vowed was going to be my last home, was sold at the beginning of May. I never did get to read a book in the gazebo while listening to the complete works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. But don't feel sorry for me. I sound like I'm complaining but I'm actually having the time of my life.

And the times of my life came flooding back on a day early this May at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. ABT'S first ever alumni reunion. About 350 of us assembled at The Met following a day of revealing who you were to people that couldn’t recognize what the intervening years had done to us. ABT was founded in 1940 and dancers representing all 67 years were present. I remember thinking when I joined ABT that I was the youngest of the principal dancers. Suddenly its 46 years later and her I am bowing on the stage of the Met again.

Back to the future. By day you can find me across from Lake Ivanhoe and in the evening at home in Winter Park. My reading now is done on the treadmill or bike at the ''Y'' Well, not really reading, but listening to great books, multi-tasking in the gym.

Now that I am really settled in, the question is what to do with this company of mine. How do you top the programs of last year? Surpassing the success of the Balanchine program and the new Swan Lake is no mean feat. it's clear that the only way to sustain the excitement is to keep surprising you and that is what I have planned.

It has been so gratifying to see our young dancers blossom. So many surprising performances I'd need a lot more space to list them. It is a joy to watch our young artists grow and develop. And this year, we will welcome some new talent both from our school and from Korea and Brazil.

But right now you are center stage. I want to thank you for supporting our company by subscribed and contributing. With you in mind I have planned a future filled with challenging and exciting dance.

Come share it with me at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.