Jane McConnell has done many great things in her career besides being by my side every step of the way. She created a successful business from scratch and edited and produced a research tool that had no equal and never saw a significant challenge from competitors. She’s managed big events in domed stadiums and concert halls. She kept track of the media attending many, many events… even scolded them for smoking in unapproved places. She’s headed fundraising campaigns that have helped build beautiful new buildings and found donors in every corner you can imagine. She’s mentored performers and taught children and young adults in every social strata. She’s done goat races in Jamaica, boat races in Falmouth, England and even organized an enticing breakfast for drunks in every corner of the world. And I don’t know a soul who doesn’t think she’s a queen.
So I’m going out on a limb here when I say that the closest thing to Jane’s heart is ballet…the Pacific Northwest Ballet to be exact. This fall she is being honored in many ways for over 30 years of devout commitment to that organization. Yesterday, she was named a Trustee Emeritus, a very exclusive club indeed. If that doesn’t make her a queen, I don’t know what does. Earlier this summer, a performance was dedicated to her and I’m not the only one who said they usually only do that when you’re dead. She already has an annual scholarship in her name for promising students in the school. These are stunning tributes to a woman who cares deeply about everyone and everything that her world touches. And these tributes say that the people in her world know what she’s done.
Her focus at the ballet has been on the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She knows the staff, the students and the parents intimately. She has taken on every role imaginable to help the school succeed and grow. She even found a French cookie maker to provide the celebration snacks after Nutcracker performances. That’s when the students get their annul chance to shine in front of the ballet’s most exciting audience. She even talked me into giving backstage tours and once participating in something called Ballet for Two Left Feet…using some moves that I am very familiar with.
The Ballet School was the domain of Francia Russell, co-artistic director of the company with her husband Kent Stowell until they recently retired. Jane and Francia have become fast friends and confidantes. I know that they listen to each other and even argue occasionally because in the end they always agree. When the School dedicated the performance of La Source to Jane, Francia was quoted in the program and her words about Jane were so special.
“Jane has devoted endless time, thought and energy to her responsibilities…Thoroughly versed in both the philosophy and the practical functioning of the School, she worked tirelessly toward the realization of our shared goals. In hundreds of meetings, Jane was the School’s spokeswoman and champion, the person who could not only answer every question but, at the same time, gently educate her listeners. Without realizing it herself, Jane set a new standard for committee chairmanship. A great lady, a woman of intelligence, sensitivity and strength, Jane cared for the staff and faculty of the School and she earned our lifelong respect and affection.”
Such a beautiful expression of respect and adoration. How proud can one person be? No more than in this moment of recognition for Jane. I am humbled by what she has done.
Jane started a tradition years ago by taking Francia and key staff members out for a holiday celebration during Nutcracker season. There was more inside talk there than you can imagine and it was for their ears only. I felt honored to be the only man invited but my job was very specific. I would take the annual group photo. I nibbled on the appetizers a bit but they usually shooed me away pretty quickly. However, I did learn something by going to that special gathering. There was a love of the art that was shared by everyone there. And that love was a bond between them. Jane belonged there. The bond would never be complete without her. These recognitions she has just received show that love and now she can be an important part of this ballet company forever, one of the best in the world, thanks in no small part to Jane McConnell. I love her.
