Reverence

The book tells the tale of aseven-year-old girl who startsto study ballet and dreams ofreaching her goal as prima ballerina.She studied at the San Francisco Balletand is encouraged to dance. She startedin the opera when they needed a smallelf to go on stage where SalvatoreBaccaloni was sleeping under a tree,with this small elf poking him in theopera Falstaff. The blue lights wereenchanting, and every minute wassheer heaven. This was the beginningof a profession that demands totaldedication and love. It is fi lled withanecdotes, laughter, and tears.In writing this book, the authordescribes what goes on in a companythat tours and dances every night ondifferent stages.The author lives in San Franciscowith her husband, John R. Upton Jr.,as well as in the Napa Valley whereJohn and his brother pioneered ThreePalms Vineyard, once the site of LillieHitchcock Coits Napa Valley home.