I was a student of Mr. Irwin's during part of high school, and I admit that I sat in shocked silence when I read of his death. He was a wonderful, funny man who loved to teach and enjoyed working with his students, be it his Ballet IV class on Saturdays (which I took) or his adult classes (I fondly remember helping him by demonstrating barre exercises for his adult basic ballet class). While I have not danced in a few years now, as I am in college, Mr. Irwin has remained in my memory: his kindness, his knocking his cane on the floor to keep beat with the piano, and even his affection for Butterfingers.
Mr. Irwin, you will be sorely missed by many.
