Carolyn Buchmann Parks

Carolyn Buchmann Parks (1912 - 2008) Passed away peacefully at her home in San Francisco, CA, on January 21, 2008. Born in Alamosa, CO, she was the youngest child of Max Buchmann of Adlesdorf, Bavaria and Carrie Kahn Buchmann of Cairo, IL. She started studying ballet in Denver, CO, when she was 10 years old, moving to New York at the age of 18 and then to Paris. Among her teachers were Lillian Cushing, Michel Fokine, Luigi Albertieri, Lubov Egorova in Paris, and Nicholas Legat in London. Mrs. Parks danced professionally throughout the 1930s, touring with the Mistinguette ballet troupe until she formed her own group, which performed first in Europe and later in South America, where she met a young pilot, Richard Turner Parks, whom she married in 1935. During WWII, Mrs. Parks worked as a code breaker for the US government, and Mr. Parks was a pilot in the Army Air Corps. After the war the Parks settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she later bought and directed the Academy of Ballet at 2121 Market Street. With her lifelong friend and colleague, Leona Norman, she also managed and directed the Bay Area Ballet and was instrumental in founding the Marin Civic Ballet. At this time, Mrs. Parks's article in Dance Magazine, "Toe Shoes ...When?" challenged the practice of allowing young dancers to start pointe work prematurely, before their legs and feet had developed sufficiently. This article prompted Capezio Dancewear to end its production of toe shoes for very young girls. It also lead to an invitation from the Kirov Ballet School for Mrs. Parks to work with its teachers in 1960, thereby advancing the new practice internationally. A passionate supporter of the arts and higher education, Mrs. Parks established the Carolyn B. Parks Trust, providing scholarships for youth to realize their educational and professional goals. She was a tireless, gracious hostess, entertaining friends and dignitaries of the dance world for over 40 years. Her life was a gift to all who knew and loved her. She is remembered lovingly by three nieces, as well as her numerous great grand nieces, nephews, friends, and godchildren. Mrs. Parks's life and contributions will be celebrated at a luncheon in the spring, 2008. Please address inquiries to Bart Norman at bartnorman@hotmail.com or call 503-661-3229.