DANCE CRITIC CLOSE-UP: CAROL NORRIS

've danced, taught and choreographed in just about every kind of style -- ballet, modern, jazz, tap, theater dance -- and studied ethnic styles like Flamenco and Latin with a proper passion.

My best memories come from jobs with Louisville Ballet, Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, Cincinnati Opera Ballet and as head of Northern Kentucky University's Dance Division in the late 1970s and early '80s.

retired when I felt it was time to move on, which happened about the same time I realized my three kids were growing up too fast. Three and half years ago, I started writing about dance for the Enquirer and love being involved again in this wonderful art without ever having to do another plie or pirouette.

Philosophy: I look at every dance event with a fresh eye, meaning I try to avoid comparisons to other performances of the same ballet (even when it's the 70th time I've seen Nutcracker) or within genres (I decided not to compare Riverdance to Lord of the Dance).

Why? Because live dance concerts are created for the moment they're being experienced. I believe in losing yourself to the moment and the uniqueness of the event. For good or bad, the work should be judged on its own merits.

That doesn't mean there aren't established standards to be considered. We only review professional dance, so there are already certain expectations: Everything should come together -- lights, costumes, sound, set and impassioned performances -- to make for a polished, practiced whole.

put personal taste aside (I don't love all dance equally) and try to consider each performance for what it is. If the audience jumps to its feet with excitement, it's duly noted, even when I don't agree with the fervor.

try to keep things simple: I write what I see.

Pet peeves: I don't have any, although from a selfish point of view, I have a wish: that all performances start on time. Most reviews are written the night of show and I despise that upper-lip sweat I get when a curtain rises half an hour late, which means a mad run to the car to make deadline.

What I'd like to see this year: Huge crowds for all dance events. Watching live performance of any kind can be exhilarating. Watching young dancers in their peak performance years is often breathtaking.