15 May Update on 2020 Recitals

Dear TYSOD and RDT Families,

I am reaching out to you today with a heavy heart. Given the current and evolving circumstances surrounding Covid-19, and for the health and safety of our dancers, our faculty and staff, our audience, and the rest of our community, I have made the heartbreaking decision to cancel our 2020 end-of-year recitals. This decision was not made lightly. I wanted to take as much time as possible to monitor the evolving situation and to seek guidance from the experts. I have consulted extensively with medical, government and community advisors. I have had countless conversations and have considered a myriad of scenarios to allow for a showcase and celebration of our dancers’ hard work from the past season. And in the end, I have determined this cancellation to be in the best interest of our entire dance community.

Although our season was abruptly ended and our performances canceled, I remain hopeful. While much of our lives are on hold, our dancers keep doing what they do best. They are just doing it from their living rooms and kitchens, using their computers to take daily classes via ZOOM! They are preparing themselves physically and emotionally for their next in-person class, their next audition, their next rehearsal. And if these young dancers have the tenacity and hope, I should, too.

Before too long – but not so soon as to be unsafe – we WILL gather TOGETHER and dance! And that will be a time to celebrate.

All my love,

Mrs. Nancy

Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz
Artistic Director
Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance
Roswell Dance Theatre