Patricia Denise Galian

She changed my life, gave my soul a place to express and make believe, and certainly taught me to love ballet for a lifetime. She was as important to me as my own mother. I was lucky to be one of her `scholarship´ students at Stanley´s and I think I never missed a class! It was my favorite place to be. I remember her daughter (Pat..?), would sometimes be in an evening class (as I would stay for multiple classes often) and she too was an expressive, magical dancer. She also had the charisma...

Miss Denise as we called her at Stanley Holden Dance Center was my first and main ballet teacher. I referred to her as Momma Pat soon after I began with her.
She was not just my mentor in dance but as a kid who didn't have his mother around she saw that void in my life and stepped in.
She gave me love and affection and kisses, and when needed she scolded me always with love.
She was one of the most important influences in my life journey, I don't know what I would have become...

I met my Aunt Patricia (Auntie Pat) at the age of 5. Unfortunately, that would be the only time we were together in person. As I grew older, I began to develop a passion for performance in theatre. As my passion turned into a profession, I often took pride in referring to Auntie Pats pictures and videos as a means of inspiration and comfort during the inevitable and perpetual moments of self-doubt. Her career is only out matched by her loving kindness as a sister, a mother, and an aunt. I...