I always admired Orla because she had red hair. I also admired her dance abilities and the way she commanded the space in such a gentle, friendly, and passionate way. I feel like I got to know Orla more through my dear friend Hailey who I met NYC. I had to share this video that I just posted on my instagram  because now that I know it would have Orla's 26th birthday it feels like a sign. We were dancing together in Josh Assor's Industry Class Series in June of 2023. Send lots of love. 

A dance in the shadow of the earth. Órla inspired me for this pirouette.

In January 2024 I was looking for dance pirouettes for my film project.

That's when I found out that the young dancer Órla Baxendale had died of an allergic reaction.

I was very sorry to hear this sad news.

So I used one of her pirouettes in my film and called it: Órla - Pirouette.

YouTube: Stefans Horizont - Im Schatten der Erde.

Condolences: Stefan Dreier

I just read about her tragic death. My sincere condolences to her family, friends, and others who loved this young woman. I'm an internet stranger, but I wish love and healing to all who love Orla. 

Together with people from around the world, I would like to convey my heartfelt condolences and deep sadness. From all that I have read, Órla must have been a one-of-a-kind person, living life to the fullest and bringing joy to all whose lives touched hers.

Having lived with a severe, life-threatening peanut allergy all of my life, the news of her death touched me deeply. My heart goes out to each of you who knew and cherished her.

Those of us who live with life-threatening allergies live life in some ways perhaps more intensely than do many of our fellow travellers on the journey of life, grateful for each and every day, not taking a single breath for granted. It comforts me to think that Órla, having always been aware, consciously and unconsciously, of the fragiliy of (her) life, packed so much vibrant joy and experience, love and life into her 25 years of purposeful living.

The English poet William Blake believed that “We are put on earth a little space that we may learn to bear the beams of love.“ From what I have learned of Órla´s full and fulfilling life, she had already come quite far in learning to give and receive love. Both her life and death will continue to influence and positively affect countless people, making us to appreciate the gift of life even more fully.

May the “Ór“ (gold) in her lovely name remind us of the treasure she was – and is – and always shall be.

RIP beautiful girl, you will be so sadly missed by our Granddaughter Sophie 💔

My young adult son has anaphylactic food allergies.  I cannot imagine your pain. I hope it brings you some small comfort to know there are food allergy parents around the world whose hearts are aching and breaking with you.  

Your family is in our prayers. We know your pain as our 28-year-old son Matthew died from a peanut allergy 18 months ago after being inadvertently exposed at a restaurant. Your daughter Orla is beautiful, we will keep her with us as we work hard to improve food allergy awareness. God Bless. The Briden Family-Pittsburgh Pa 

Our heart breaks for the entire family... Our 26 yr old son has the same allergy and listing ingrediants is 'Oh, so Important!' We can't promote it enough! Hugs, Hugs, and more Hugs... ~The Minet family

My heart breaks for the Baxendale family.  May you be consoled by the many loving memories which Orla provided to you and the certain knowledge that she is now gathered in the warm embrace of Our Heavenly Father.

I was very shocked and sad when I heard the news of Órla's passing. Sending my heartfelt condolence's to all the family. 

I am so very sorry.  My 14 year old niece Isla has a nut allergy and I will use Orla’s story to help her negotiate food choices.  I worry about her and I can imagine your loss.  ❤️🦋

Money is donated to a deceased model millionaire?!

I'm very sorry to hear of her passing. 

I am reading about Orla’s tragic fate in the news, having shared the lifelong terror of a nut allergy with enough near-death reactions to know trust in labeling is always a gamble.  As a member of the esteemed NYC ballet community, Orla has earned one of the highest honors a dancer can achieve. The world of dance, Orla’s family and friends have suffered  a needless and inexcusable loss. I am so sorry.

Órla and I danced together apprenticing for company Matthew Westerby Company over the summer of 2021, and performed at an amphitheater for a show called The Harlem Project. I also danced with her at Ailey. She was so fun to be around, talented, sweet, and beautiful. I remember thinking it was fun dancing with another redhead! She is so loved and will be missed. Sending love to her family.

Thankfully, I had the pleasure of sitting down one night in CT after a momix rehearsal to eat dinner with Orla and her friend Hailey.  It was a rare moment the two casts overlapped.  We mostly chatted about little things like how she wanted to get her nails done and how Alice rehearsals were going.  Her energy was bright, she was such a vibrant person who was incredibly confident, funny and absolutely just lovely.  I adored her accent and the way she spoke with sass and spice.  She was kind for complimenting me on my old 80s Reebox and saying she wanted to order some for herself. It was a huge compliment coming from someone who I could tell had her own individual style perfected.  I admired her uniqueness and joy.  I remembered taking ballet with her that day and how stunning her panche was.  She moved with grace and ease.  Truly magnificent and talented.  I wish I knew her better, but I am so grateful to have gotten the chance to dine and dance with her.  A couple of weeks ago, she came to see the Viva cast and congratulated us after the show.  Her support and love was amazing to have that day, which was a particularly challenging day for me.  She had a way of making people feel seen and loved for sure.  She will continue to inspire me and countless others and in this way she lives on and will be loved forever.  Thank you Orla. May you rest in peace. And may Orla's friends and family find solace and peace as well. <3

Sending love to the Baxendale family. 

I'm so terribly sorry for your loss!  For everyone's loss!  We loved that Órla was such a wonderful friend to our grand daughter ,Kassie!  She was a spark--she will be missed so much!