Parnassus Books, in partnership with Nashville Ballet, is thrilled to welcome Robin Preiss Glasser, illustrator of Grand Jeté and Me, in conversation with Katie Vasilopoulos of Nashville Ballet.
Monday, November 8th at 6:00 pm Central.
This will be a Facebook Live event from the Parnassus Books Facebook page.
After the live talk has ended, the video will be archived on the Parnassus Books Facebook page under Videos.
Pre-orders of Grand Jeté and Me will include a signed bookplate, while supplies last.
About Grand Jeté and Me
This Christmas, join a young girl and her grandmother as they embark on a holiday adventure to see The Nutcracker together! Her grandmother, known as Grand Jeté, was once a prima ballerina and danced in The Nutcracker herself, and now she's sharing the magic of this special ballet. Former prima ballerina Allegra Kent and bestselling Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser collaborate to create an inspiring and festive tale for the littlest dancers and Nutcracker fans everywhere.
Grand Jeté is an expert on everything elegant and makes sure to always model the proper etiquette of a poised ballerina. Her granddaughter wants to be just like her one day.
Take a bow!
Straight spine.
Look your best.
And always carry flowers!
Follow the pair as they embark on an unforgettable trip to their favorite theater to see The Nutcracker--sharing the spirit of ballet wherever they go.
About Robin Preiss Glasser
Robin Preiss Glasser actually wore tiaras and tutus when she danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Now she happily spends her days in jeans, drawing. She has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including the bestselling Fancy Nancy series as well as Lambslide and Escape Goat by Ann Patchett. She won the Children's Choice Award for Best Illustrator of the Year for Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet. Robin and her family live in Southern California.
About Katie Vasilopoulos
Katie Vasilopoulos developed a love of dance while training at Maple Avenue Dance in Rockville Centre, NY, then furthered her training at Ballet Academy East in New York City. She joined NB2 in 2008 and performed in every available performance by Nashville Ballet’s Outreach & Community Engagement Program, including Anne Frank, The Singing Tortoise and Jump, Frog, Jump.
Katie advanced to the position of Apprentice in 2011. While still an apprentice, Katie was featured as the Earth Figure in Salvatore Aiello's Rite of Spring and as the Fairy of Strength in The Sleeping Beauty. She also performed in Gina Patterson's Nashville Ballet original Cryin' Out and Brian Enos’ And Legions Will Rise.
Since being promoted to the main company during the 2012 season, Katie has originated several soloist roles in Paul Vasterling’s choreography, including one of the Three Witches in Macbeth, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, and the Mother Figure in Appalachian Spring. She has also been featured in Jiri Kylian’s Petite Mort, as the Dark Angel in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Salvatore Aiello’s Afternoon of a Faun, Swan in Carmina Burana, Snow Queen and Sugar Plum in Nashville’s Nutcracker, and The Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.
She recently graduated summa cum laude from Belmont University with a bachelors degree in Business Administration, where she received the Kathleen B. Horrell Scholarship award for being the undergraduate with the highest scholastic record. Following her formal retirement from dance in May of 2021, Vasilopoulos joined Nashville Ballet's administrative team as their events manager.
