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San Francisco BayPress Release from Ballet San Jose
Ballet San Jose Dancer Accepts Marriage Proposal At Swan Lake Final Curtain
SWAN LAKE has been called the most romantic ballet of all time. Well, Ballet San Jose ballerina Maria Jacobs won’t dispute that.
Maria danced the duel role of Odette/Odile during the company’s last performance of the piece on Sunday afternoon, February 24th. As the final curtain fell and the standing ovation (finally) subsided, Maria looked over into the wings of the backstage area and saw her boyfriend, Ben Yu standing there. She walked toward him, and he actually walked out onto the edge of the stage. With tears in his eyes, he bent down on one knee and said, “Maria, I have something to ask you. Would you marry me?” Maria started to cry and said, “yes” immediately. Ben then pulled out a ring and placed it on her finger.When asked if she saw this coming, Maria said, “No; not at all. I have been so focused on Swan Lake, all I have done for weeks is come home from rehearsals, eat dinner, rest my feet and get ready for the next day. It took me completely by surprise.” Ben, who is an engineer and project manager for Avago Technologies in San Jose, and Maria have not set a date as yet. They are just enjoying the moment. And Maria still has a Balanchine ballet program in March, the starring role as The Firebird in May and an eight-city tour to China in May and June to look forward to. After that, some time to breath and some time to plan. Congratulations, Ben and Maria.
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Background photo © 1999 Michael W. Phelan
Michael
W. Phelan,