Damara Bennett RIP

[pherank]

Announced by SFB on Instagram today:

'We are saddened to learn of the recent death of Damara Bennett, a former dancer with San Francisco Ballet and teacher at SF Ballet School.
Damara Bennett joined SF Ballet in 1971 after training at with Lila Zali in Laguna Beach and on a Ford Foundation Scholarship at @sab_nyc. “She was a wonderful, versatile dancer with a strong dramatic presence,” says Anita Paciotti. “How could those wonderfully arched feet also be so strong? She was also a brilliant comedian, on stage and off. She kept the company laughing.”
In 1974, when SF Ballet faced bankruptcy, Bennett played a central role in the “Save Our Ballet” campaign, a monumental dancer-led effort that raised $800,000 to save the company. "It was a breakthrough for me," Bennett told the @csmonitor at the time. "If you ever want to do something, just do it."
In 1987, she founded City Ballet School in San Francisco, and in 2003, she became the Director of the Oregon Ballet Theatre School (for a wonderful tribute to Bennett, go to @oregon.ballet.theatre’s page). Bennett returned to join the Faculty of @sfballetschool from 2013-16. Known for her ability to instill both discipline and a love of the art form in students, she was adored for her wise advice, big heart, and quick wit. She was teacher, mentor, and friend to many, and will be deeply missed.'

https://www.instagram.com/p/CH_Gti7BuGM/

[Rock]

Was Damara Bennett good friends with Sean Lavery?

 

[pherank]

4 hours ago, Rock said:

Was Damara Bennett good friends with Sean Lavery?

I really don't know. What made you wonder about this?

[Rock]

It's an unusual name and Sean used to talk about his bff in SF. I wondered if it were the same person.

 

[pherank]

6 hours ago, Rock said:

It's an unusual name and Sean used to talk about his bff in SF. I wondered if it were the same person.

 

Lavery was only at SFB for a couple of years, but they would have crossed paths.

[Rock]

I'll bet that's the same person. How sad they've both passed. He used to speak very highly of her. Thought she was a wonderful person and wonderful teacher.