Tomboy Ballerina: My Life from Baseball to American Ballet Theatre and Beyond

Roni Mahler spent her formative years in a ballet studio under the tutelage of Madame Maria Yurieva Swoboda and at Yankee Stadium, where she cheered for her idol, Mickey Mantle. At age 18, Mahler joined the corps de ballet of the renowned Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and later became Principal Dancer at the National Ballet of Washington, D.C., under the guidance of NYCB founder George Balanchine. In 1969 she returned to New York City as a soloist with American Ballet Theatre in principal roles like the high-flying Queen of the Wilis in Giselle.

Known for her singular approach to cross-training while teaching ballet to football players, Mahler has taught around the world and, as the Artistic Associate of Cleveland Ballet/Ballet San Jose, dedicated over three decades to teaching, coaching, and performing. Written in collaboration with her ballet disciple and friend, this intimate account details her journey from the ballet stage and the baseball diamond to the gridiron and beyond.

Roni Mahler began her performing career with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and went on to perform principal roles with the National Ballet of Washington (D.C.) and American Ballet Theatre. Roni was the Artistic Associate of Cleveland Ballet/Ballet San Jose, where she taught, coached, and performed for over three decades before moving to San Francisco, where she continues to teach. Caroline O’Connor is an author and screenwriter who loves dancing and writing about ballet. She lives in New York City.