Leslie Norton
Associate Professor of Dance, (1984-2011)
10/25/11
Prof. Leslie F. Norton presented by Prof. Elaine Heekin
Prof. Leslie Norton came to Hamilton College in 1984. Prior to Hamilton, Leslie attained her MFA in ballet from Indiana Univ. as well as dancing professionally as a soloist for Roger Hess Productions, American Festival Ballet and Indianapolis Ballet Theatre. Leslie and I shared many things over the past two and a half decades including classes, concerts, a neighborhood (she lived two doors down the street from me)...and we even shared a couple of cats. I am now the proud owner of Gwen, a 15 yr. old female cat who very much reminds me of Leslie. Gwen is small and tough, taking no nonsense from my two much larger and much younger male cats.
Words that come to mind when I think of my former colleague: tireless energy, funny and witty, definitely sarcastic, a gifted writer and devoted teacher and very, very, VERY clever. The first time I walked into Leslie’s office as a new faculty member along with Bruce Walczyk in 1985, Leslie had us convinced in 5 min. that we were required to be a part of this collaborative performance with the English Dept in celebrating the baroque period. Later, it was discovered this wasn’t necessarily true but that Leslie had her eye on in an eligible male faculty member running the collaboration from the English dept. I’m convinced that Leslie could have had a wonderful career in marketing or politics with her ability to sway people to her way of thinking.
Some of you in this room have seen Prof. Norton’s choreography in the faculty concerts, or winter musicals/operettas directed by Prof. Rob Kolb. Rob and Leslie had a very successful history collaborating on over 15 productions beginning in the mid 1990’s. Leslie also had a very long relationship as guest choreographer for Alabama Dance Theatre as well as our own Mohawk Valley Ballet. Her choreography, no matter the style, was always beautifully crafted and highly polished. She had the skill to coach her dancers to perform to their highest level of ability. Leslie’s choreography has a universal appeal. Those who were not necessarily fans of ballet thoroughly enjoyed, if not loved, her pieces.
Prof. Norton’s great passion and area of research was early 20th century ballet that resulted in two books: Leonide Massine, An Anthology of His Ballets was published in 2003, followed by Frederic Franklin: A Biography of a Ballet Star, published in 2007. Prof Norton and Mr. Franklin were invited to speak at Jacob’s Pillow, our country’s most prestigious dance festival, the Guggenheim as part of their “works and process” events, and Dance Theatre of Harlem’s “Open House” series. Leslie was also quoted in The Times as an authority on set and costumes of Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes and Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo.
The last time I visited Leslie I remember it was on an early Sat. evening. At this point, she was spending her remaining time at home. I walked in and was happy to find her sitting up in bed enjoying a tiny glass of wine. She offered me a glass and we sat there for a good bit of time reminiscing about Hamilton, enjoying some lighthearted moments and definitely some good laughter. I was very thankful that this was my last memory of her. I will miss Leslie’s sarcasm and wit, and never forget her courage in accepting her fate during those last few weeks.
