Sylvia Townsend, dance educator, founder, and artistic director of the Art of Ballet School of Dance and Art of Ballet Dance Theater passed away on Saturday, February 25th, 2023.

Sylvia was born the eldest of nine children in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 26, 1943, to William Terrioh and Ethel Omega Robertson. At two years of age, the family relocated to Richmond, CA. where she grew up in the Seaport and Parchester Village neighborhoods within the city of Richmond.

Sylvia’s parents were introduced to Jehovah’s Witnesses when she was a small child, and she dedicated her life to Jehovah on September 1, 1961. It was Sylvia’s desire to become a regular pioneer, and when her circumstances allowed, she would later auxiliary pioneer.

In 1966, Sylvia met Robert Lee Townsend, and the two were married on December 26, 1967. She affectionately referred to him as “Bob” and “Townsend.” Sylvia and Bob raised their four children, April, Shannon, Chantler, and Roquisha in a loving, secure, and nurturing environment. They were married for 55 years. Sylvia was industrious, and an excellent wife, mother, homemaker, and cook, who exemplified the "capable wife" described in Proverbs 31. Indeed, she rewarded her husband “with good” “all the days of her life.” (Prov 31:12) Sylvia was a stay-at-home mom when her children were very young. Together they taught them the Bible from infancy, teaching them to read the Bible before they reached school age. Sylvia’s children deeply loved her and affectionately referred to her as “Mama.” They respected her for the love she showed, her compassion, and the wisdom she imparted. She endeavored to have the mind of Jehovah God and Christ and taught her children to do the same. Sylvia was self-sacrificing, giving her all for Jehovah, her family, and her friends. Sylvia was known to say, “No matter what people do to you, do not allow them to take you away from Jehovah.”

In her later years, Sylvia’s disabilities made it more difficult for her to attend religious services in person. So, she would attend via Zoom. She enjoyed having the text and Bible read to her. She loved singing the Kingdom melodies. One of her favorite songs was #24, “Come to Jehovah’s Mountain.” She also enjoyed watching the monthly broadcasts and the original song videos with her family, often singing along to the songs with her daughter, Shannon.

Sylvia fell asleep in death on February 25th, 2023. She was preceded by her daughters, April Smith and Roquisha Townsend, parents William and Ethel Robertson, sisters Diane Gaines, Barbara Garrett, Sandra Scialabba, and brothers, Glenn and Larry Robertson. She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband Robert Townsend, daughter Shannon Townsend, son Chantler Lamont Townsend, sister Cynthia Robertson, brothers Tyrone and Donny Robertson, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

PERFORMING ARTS

Sylvia's gifts for dance and music began to manifest themselves at an early age. Talent ran high in the Robertson household. Sylvia’s father was a professional pianist and singer. As a little girl, her father would often encourage Sylvia and her sister Diane to sing vocal harmonies together while he played the piano. Sylvia also participated in local talent shows and became known as the little girl with the big voice. Later, Sylvia, Diane, and their younger sister, Barbara, formed the singing group, the Robertson Sisters who became very well-known in the SF East Bay area. They regularly worked with a local band, Johnny Talbot & De Thangs, and opened for such notable acts as James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and B.B. King. The group even caught the attention of Motown founder, Berry Gordy. Years later, Sylvia also had the privilege of working with the late Dell Graham.

Sylvia developed a love for ballet as a little girl and decided to learn ballet by checking out instructional books from the bookmobile, which made weekly visits to her neighborhood. In time, Sylvia taught herself ballet basics and began teaching her siblings and neighborhood children what she was learning. By age 16, she was presenting her students at local talent shows. Sylvia later met Russian ballerina Alexandra Sawicka, a former dancer with the famed Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. “Ma-dame” Sawicka, as she was respectfully addressed, invited Sylvia to train at the Sawicka School of Ballet in Berkeley, California. In 1974, Sylvia opened her own school, the Art of Ballet School of Dance. at 653 A 23rd Street in Richmond, which became very well-known.

In the 1980s, Art of Ballet was the resident school and dance company at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. Sylvia was on the faculty at EBCPA and was one of the first dance educators to spearhead the after-school dance programs in the Richmond and Berkeley areas. Sylvia trained her children in dance and as young adults; they soon became the school’s dance teachers. In the 1990s and 2000s, Art of Ballet operated from its Marina Way address.

Sylvia was a dance educator for 55 years, and over the course of that time, she trained hundreds of students of all racial backgrounds in classical ballet, jazz, and tap dance. Art of Ballet became known for its classical ballet technique and dance versatility. Some of her students went on to train with The Ailey School (school of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater), and The Dance Theatre of Harlem School (school of Dance Theatre of Harlem ballet company). Her daughter, Roquisha, performed with Dimensions Dance Theatre in Oakland, CA, and her son, Chantler Townsend, trained and toured with Dance Theatre of Harlem for several years.

Sylvia’s classical ballet instruction became well-known in the SF Bay Area as well as nationally. In January 2020, author and children’s illustrator Lea Lyon published a children’s book about Sylvia entitled “Ready To Fly”, “How Sylvia Townsend Became The Book Mobile Ballerina.” Sylvia’s work earned her many awards. In 2001, Sylvia was recognized by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts for her work in arts education; and in 2004, she received a proclamation from then-Mayor, Irma Anderson for her contributions to the arts. Despite the accolades, Sylvia always put Jehovah God first.

There will be a Memorial service for Sylvia on Saturday, April 8th at 1:00 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1801 Bissell Avenue in Richmond. A repast will follow at the Richmond Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804.

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