Comments on: Larry Long in critical condition.

By: Judith Thelen

Judith Thelen — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:44:22 +0000

I danced with Ruth Page’s Chicago Opera Ballet and International Ballet in the 1960s. Larry was a gifted teacher and ballet master. His wife. Dolores, an exciting ballerina whom I take my hat off to. i just, today, found about Larry’s passing. It always hurts when someone from your past, whom you respected, leaves us. Dancing with the Ruth Page ballet companies was one of the highlights of my life. I love you Dolly and even though he could be a tyrant at times, I loved Larry too. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Judith Thelen

By: sharon (rich)wendrow

sharon (rich)wendrow — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:49:29 +0000

Larry was my childhood friend and partner in LA. We were taught the no hands fish dive by Paul Petroff, when we both were studying there in the 1950′s. We have been in touch every 20 years or so, since then. Although I new nothing about the accident, or his death, when it happened, it is a devastating loss to everyone. I am saddened that I did not get to have my 20 year catch up time. I will remember, and think about him, often, especially when I look at pictures of us, from the 1950′s.
With an aching heart, and with sympathy for Dolores

By: carrie

carrie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:46:25 +0000

Mr. Long was an amazing teacher. He taught me for about a month two years ago. He placed me in his school’s highest level, and told me he believed in me when I knew few others did. His teaching was kind but firm, and I’ll always remember his beautiful combinations and even more beautiful personality

By: David Lawrence

David Lawrence — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:32:44 +0000

I was extremely fortunate to study with Larry Long for a brief time in the late 80′s at Ruth Page and to work for him in the Ruth Page production of The Nutcracker. I eventually began to teach and can honestly say that I thought of Larry every day I taught and most days I didn’t. His endless energy and enthusiasm and great knowledge and gentle, yet pointed honesty were invaluable to me as a dancer and eventually a director of my own school. His is a great, great loss and the world and especially the ballet world is a little dimmer without him.

Go with God, Larry.

By: Janice LaPointe-Crump

Janice LaPointe-Crump — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:56:02 +0000

I took class with Larry and DeeDee at Stone-Camryn in some of Ruth Page’s best years and danced in the first and second years of Nuts. Beautiful lines, clear footwork and generous partnering plus a sense of humor set his dancing and studio manner apart. My mother and father knew them both as down-to-earth, passionate yet open and caring people. The last time I saw them was 4 years ago at Kittie’s 90th birthday. They were full of wonderful stories and pride for the youth company that had just completed its spring season. Larry was a great teacher who, with Dolores’s gorgeous technique and amazing performanced inspired my own teaching process at Texas Woman’s University. Reading of his terrible injuries and death while here in Chicago visiting my mom brought great sadness to my life. His students, in Texas, immediately called the Dance Council of North Texas where it was put on our website. His influence and that of Dolores’s is felt far and wide.
AWith deep respect and love for Dolores and Larry
Janice, from another time

By: Ruby Aver

Ruby Aver — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:45:14 +0000

My heartfelt sympathy to Dolores. With endless gratitude to you and Larry. His influence is certainly in each ballet class I teach. Linda Jenkins and I just taught an intensive together inspired by our fond memories of Larry. Much Love, Ruby Aver

By: Dorothy Andrich

Dorothy Andrich — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:10:31 +0000

Words cannot express how much joy Mr. Long has brought into my life. Although not a dancer, he made me feel like one and I spent many happy hours dancing in his classes. I had hoped to see him again but I will always remember the things he taught me and I hope that his legacy will continue through his students, who were his happiness. My sympathies to his family. God bless you, Mr. Long.

By: Lisa Fogarty

Lisa Fogarty — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:55:12 +0000

I am so sad to hear the news of Larry’s passing. He inspired me to truly love dance. All my best to Dolores. Larry will truly be missed.

Lisa Householder Fogarty

By: Tyrone Boyle

Tyrone Boyle — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:02:08 +0000

I just learned of Larry’s passing while playing for a class this morning. My heart is very saddened as I know that he was (and will continue to be) a pillar in the dance community. Upon my arrival in Chicago 2 years ago, it was Larry and Dolores who offered me the opportunity to play exclusively for their classes at the Ruth Page Center.

Throughout the course of that year, I had many an opportunity to sit down with them in their office during breaks between classes to discuss everything under the sun from music, art, history and politics. Larry and I often talked about music and performers and the mark and legacy they left on the world. We’d often share with each other the latest book we were reading or the latest piece of music we had just listened to.

While he was the consumate artist and took his art very seriously, he had an incredible sense of humor. Often times that humor came out during a class he was teaching. He truly was one of the most engaging teachers I’ve ever had the opportunity to play for and I’m certainly grateful that he gave me the opportunity to play for him. Larry has truly left his mark on this world and those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him, learn from him and know him are better because of it.

Thank you Larry for sharing your life and your art with the world. You will be truly missed, longed for, but never forgotten!!!

Ty Boyle

By: Dani Maxon

Dani Maxon — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:32:27 +0000

As Larry’s great-neice, I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. For those who are not aware, the decision was made to let him go. It is not an easy decision, but it it was his decision if something like this ever happened. He lived his life full of exhuberance and joy. My own car accident back in 2001 has erased many things, but I remember the first time I saw him, at my grandparent’s house, his brother’s place. I was terribly shy. I had made cupcakes though, and the recipe was his mother’s, so for some reason, that seemed to bridge the gap. How odd that a little memory like that stuck.

The last time I saw him was in 2006, at Christmas. It was the first, and sadly the last, time my son met him. My son is very close to family members, a very sensitive child, and fiercely protective. The news of this makes him quite sad. Just that one meeting, and he was very drawn to them. He has decided he wants to take Irish tap. He says, Larry would like it. While this was something he wanted to do before Larry’s passing, he feels that this is something that Larry will look upon him, and smile for…and maybe guide him.

We are glad that he was able to touch so many, to form so many lives, to create the art that he did. He was one that will never be again. I’m not sure that we would want to replace him. No one could ever be the same.

Best wishes and luck bestowed upon all.

Dani Maxon.