Ax said she owed her long career to a love of dance. “I think if you asked any of my students what they thought about Mrs Ax, they would say I was very technical.” She said you can t do anything without turnout and technique, and that required dedication and commitment. Lots of children came in with natural talent, but it was most satisfying when you helped a child work hard and strive for improvement with practice. She taught children who were never going to make it as a ballerina, but was proud to have offered them teachings of discipline and determination.