I've just received word that Thomas Armour, my teacher, passed away peacefully in his sleep last night.
He taught me Le Spectre de la Rose and Prince Igor to name a few ballets.
I thank him most for lining the walls of his South Miami ballet studio with reproductions of Romantic Era Lithographs.
I hope Mel and Victoria will share their memories of Mr. Armour.

Rest in Peace, Thomas Armour.

My condolences to you and his students and his family.

What very sad news of a true icon in American ballet. A gentle soul indeed has passed. Condolences to his family, friends and students.

Thomas Armour put civic ballet on the map (see Encyclopaedia Brittanica, ser. 14) and was a major force in spreading the art over the landscape of America. He led a long and productive life, touching thousands of dancers and being a model teacher. I still begin about half my petit allegro combinations with demi-contretemps, just as he did (boy, did I get good at demi-contretemps!).

May he have eternal rest,
May light perpetual shine upon him.

Obituary from the Miami Herald:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/14540865.htm

Mel, this is such a nice tribute. It's "Teacher Appreciation Week" at my son's school, so they've all been writing notes to teachers that they've enjoyed, and this made me think of that process.