Rose gave so much of herself to her students and their parents both in and out of the studio. We have fond memories of her friendship, the parties she gave at her house and the wonderful food she prepared. I remember walking up the steps to the studio so many times with Sarah and knowing that when I left she was in good hands and where she wanted to be. 

We send our condolences and much love to Bernie and Sonia. Our hearts are with you today.

Jeanne and Mike Aronstein

I’ve been struggling with hearing the devastating news of Rose’s passing. The studio was my second home from 1982-1988 and I’m forever grateful! What I’ve learned from Rose isn’t measurable. She had an incredible drive, determination, passion to make you and the performances as outstanding as possible. We endured blood, sweat & tears but it was all worth it! 

My condolences to everyone that’s been touched by her.  Rose will be forever missed but live in my heart.  I'm finding comfort in knowing that I’m a better person for having her in my life!  

Memories of my childhood and adolescence have been flooding back. I cannot really remember a time NOT knowing Rose. From starting ballet in a Saturday morning class at the age of 6ish, to taking 7 classes 5x times a week until I graduated high school, and a handful of classes here and there until the age of 21. I practically lived at the studio. Sonia (who had the key), Sam and I used to go there directly after school and hang out, do homework, wander the streets of Yorktown before anyone got there. It was the best times. 

  I admired Rose. She was always so good to me. Kind, and firm. Never minced words. And I loved her for that. She was, and always will be, a powerful presence in my life. She helped shape me. I didn’t know it at the time, but now as an “adult”, lol, I can see her influence. 

Sonia, I love you and I’m so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in knowing how much your mother was, and is still loved. How much she loved you. 💚

She was my dance teacher for years, a family friend and a presence you could not miss! Full of spirit. She will be missed. Our hearts go out to Sonia and Bernie.

Love the Correa Family

Reading everyone’s memories of Rose over the years has both made us smile and cry. Even though we all knew Rose at different times and met her at different points in her life, it is amazing to see how loved she was still by everyone. Mom and I met Rose for the first time in 2013, right before we moved away for two years. I had just started ballet and I wanted to go to a school where I felt like I would be taught properly. After finding WBC, I knew that not only had I found that school, but also a place where I would be able to pursue my passion in an environment that was challenging yet loving, hard yet encouraging, and professional yet fun. The main reason for this was Rose’s passion and professionalism which she shared with each and every dancer. After two years in Canada we came back to WBC and Rose became the light in our life that she was for so many. She would give me opportunities and always believed in my dancing, even when I did not. Often, after I was done with a class that Rose did not teach, I would see my mom sitting by Rose’s desk, laughing with her or enthralled by her stories. Rose had so many of them! I will never forget the scene of walking into the studio, Rose sitting there, smiling cheekily or waving from her desk as there is music blaring in from the big studio. She took in my mom and I, and we felt her love. WBC became a safe haven for us both and we are eternally grateful to have known Rose and loved her for the past several years.

Sonia, Bernie, and Virginia, we are so sorry for your loss. While we loved Rose dearly, we cannot imagine what you must be feeling right now. Rose will live on in the memories of us all. She has touched so many lives, changed so many stories for the better, and made all of us feel loved by her. We miss her and yet, we are so grateful to have known her.

Dear Sonia and Bernie,

My deepest condolences to you and your family. Rose was such a special person and incredible teacher. I am so grateful for all the beautiful  memories and wonderful people I met through her school. Sending love to everyone during this difficult time. Thank you all for sharing so many wonderful memories and photos. Loved reading every one of them. I am sure Rose is enjoying them as well. 🙏🏼 ❤️

 Rose-Marie Menes, my sister.

My sister, Rose-Marie, was name for a song, “Oh, Rose-Marie I Love You” sung by Nelson Eddy. At a very young age Rose-Marie would walk on her toes. She would curl those toes back and walk as if she was wearing pointe shoes. People would see this and say, “Look, she’s going to be a ballerina”,

When a dance studio opened in our area of Hialeah, Fl. We were enrolled in the ballet class. Our teacher put Rose-Marie in pointe shoes at the age of 6. Shortly after that our father, David Menes who was a carpenter by trade, was working in Coral Gables, Fl and saw this Russia man teaching ballet with his wife playing the piano for the classes. I still remember that day when our father came home and told our mother, if Rose-Marie was going to dance this where she needs to study.

At age 7 and 9 we began to study with Mr. George Milenoff who was of the Imperial Ballet School in Russia. Rose-Marie loved the ballet and continued her lessons. Our mother, Ruth Menes, went to work as a seamstress in the sweat factories in Miami, she learned to drive and bought a second car so there would be money/transportation for her lessons. Four times a week they would travel 30 minutes for a lesson and Mr. Milenoff would always invite Rose-Marie to stay to lead the next class giving her two hours of training then a 30 minute ride home. Once home we would have dinner as a family then homework and to bed.

Mr Milenoff was a very interesting person. He would talk about himself, how he once danced with Anna Pavlova, as a young man he knew Pablo Picasso, he taught Alicia Alonso in Cuba any more interesting facts about himself.

When we were in 7 th and 8 th grade our school was having a talent show. I auditioned to play the piano with the one piece of music I had memorized, “Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig Van Beethoven. Then here comes a ballet dancer with her own pianist to dance to the “Moonlight Sonata”. I talked to her about changing her music but she wouldn’t so, I did the next best thing. I talked my sister into being in the talent show. I don’t remember much more about that talent show but I do remember Rose-Marie was the only ballet dancer and I got to play piano.

After high school Rose-Marie moved to New York City. She loved New York. She went to work for Bonwit Teller. When she learned that Radio City Music Hall was hiring ballet dancers she went to the audition. She became discourage when she saw the amount of dancers that were there. She decided to leave thinking she didn’t have a chance to get a position. As she was leaving a stagehand stopped her and encouraged her to stay, she did and she was hired. I remember my sister telling us, they asked her if she could do fouettés? Her answer was, “How many do you want me to do?”

During her career she danced for Princess Grace of Monaco. When Rudoff Nureyev saw her danced he wanted her as his ballerina but she returned to New York. Years later she met and married Bernie Werner and Sonia was born. Sonia was the light of her world and she wanted to give her everything. She loved her so very much.

Many have known Rose-Marie as a friend, co-worker, as your teacher, as a brother-in-law, as a husband or as your mother. I will remember her as my sister, Rose-Marie Menes, Prima Ballerina.

Love you and miss you,

Virginia Menes Petersen