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Balanchine dancer Janice Bering dies at 83

Janice Bering, who danced with the New York City Ballet, under the director of George Balanchine, died Sept. 24. A longtime resident of Woodside, she was 83.

Janice Margaret Mitoff Bering was born in San Francisco. She graduated from Lincoln High School and went on to a long career as a ballet dancer.

She started with the San Francisco Ballet and moved to New York in 1948. She found work that first year with the American Ballet Theatre. The next year she was hired by Mr. Balanchine.

With the New York City Ballet, she performed throughout the United States and Europe. After her career in New York, she returned to San Francisco, where she taught at the San Francisco Ballet.

In 1961 she married Donald Bering. In 1968 they moved to Woodside and Pebble Beach. Ms. Bering started Ballet Woodside, a nonprofit, and enjoyed her life, family, friends, and her garden to the fullest, say family members.

Ms. Bering is survived by her daughters, Gretchen Bering of Palo Alto and Karin Bering-Friedrichs of Woodside; her twin sister, Elsa Morrison of Bellevue, and many nieces and nephews. Her husband, Donald Bering and brother Stephan Mitoff preceded her in death. A celebration of her life has been held.