Edward Villella was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet when that company was George Balanchine`s forum. His biography tells the story of the company and the famous choreographer from the perspective of one who was in the thick of it but who kept largely to himself, holding himself back from the all-out dedication to Balanchine that many dancers maintained. He recalls his childhood in Queens and details his post-Balanchine success as the director of the Miami City Ballet.