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Mary
‘Pat’ Levett 1939–2004 |
Mary
‘Pat’ Levett was an extremely popular pianist
who worked closely with many of the ISTD faculties over the
years. Pat and her husband John were victims of the devastating
tsunami that hit Thailand, among other places, on Boxing Day
2004.
Mary ‘Pat’
Levett
She would often create a masterpiece out of a simple
tune. Often I would simply call out a rhythm and before I
was through with the ‘phrase’ she would be playing
a melodic interpretation, which was so inspiring it made teaching
a pure joy! It was of constant amazement to me that, as with
many great artists, she was often self-effacing and modest.
However, when ‘Pat the Fingers’ started to play,
there was absolutely no doubt of the power and inspiration
which literally exuded from her.
Aside from this, she had the amazing capacity to reach out
and touch the hearts of everyone she met. The friendships
she made spanned every level of the profession she loved and
beyond. From members of the board of both the ISTD and RAD,
down to the youngest and most vulnerable students - not to
mention teachers and colleagues - she made everyone feel special
and loved.
Pat was a wonderful, gifted, generous, and warm-hearted woman,
who just happened to have the power to stir our emotions with
every note she played.
She was a complex, sensitive soul, who would be fiercely opposed
to any injustice to others, and yet totally vulnerable with
her own feelings. She was a powerful, loyal friend to many
of us, and yet managed to retain a childlike and poetic ‘wonder’
of the world around us.
When she and her husband John, were lost to us in the horrific
Tsunami, I know I speak for many when I say the initial shock
and disbelief soon turned into immeasurable grief.
My heart goes out to their family, as I know their lives will
never be the same.
As for all of us who knew and loved Pat, the pain of loss
will always be with us, but the one thing we can hold on to
is the fact that moments before the deadly wave struck, she
and John were most likely happily walking hand in hand on
the beach.
Vivienne Bews-Sulkoski FISTD
Pat ‘The Fingers’
Levett
I was devastated when she ‘retired’ and knew that
she could still inspire and support dance teachers with her
music. It didn’t take much persuasion to get Miss Pat
to record a CD for us ‘lonely’ Tap teachers. Once
hooked on the idea, she was consumed by the project.
She spent hours researching teachers’ needs, developing
her stamina, looking for inspiration and finding the recording
studio. The studio which suited her was in Newton Abbot and
although in the process of being developed was perfect for
her needs
.
Pat’s inspiration was movement and that was my involvement
– being the ‘body’, So I ‘hoofed’
in my socks in a drum studio ‘ouch’, whilst Pat
sat (at the clairinova) in the corridor!
The producer was a very experienced having worked with eclectic
musicians, but working with Pat was a new experience. Fun
it was most certainly, and he was in awe of her talent. His
jaw visibly dropped at the sight of her dots for one track
- just one line showing the transition for 5/4 to 6/8 and
3 minutes later - a stunning track.
Nearly all 12 tracks were done in one take and we were at
the studio for two days only. It was an incredible two days,
never to be forgotten, especially watching the reaction of
the CD Producer to ‘the dancer on the ebony and ivory’,
the one and only Pat Levett.
Jackie Hayward FISTD
MISS PAT
Pat accompanied for many Imperial Faculties and was well known
to examiners and teachers, particularly in the South West,
where she lived for the last few years. She worked closely
with members of the Tap faculty, in particular Jackie Hayward
with whom she created a CD, ‘Gone Tappin’.
June Rycroft writes: “Marianne Mansel-Edwards recommended
Pat to play for my teachers classes on Monday mornings and
she was always such fun. Together we would travel to Henley-on
Thames where we spent the afternoon at St Mary’s School
with the younger children and you can imagine that they all
adored her. My fondest memories of Pat were of our happy times
when she played for the Imperial Ballet Courses at Lilleshall;
her inspiration and sense of humour encouraged us all to give
of our best”.
Lilleshall was my first meeting with Pat where her warmth
and zany approach was much enjoyed. I can still see her playing
one set enchaînement, as she hid under the piano as
she felt that she didn’t play it well enough! When I
joined Elmhurst it was great to work with her again and her
humour, both personal and musical meant that any class that
she accompanied really worked - in all senses. It is said
that a pianist could make or break a class - Pat was a pianist
that made every class.
Heather Fish
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