Utah’s dance community and the wider world of modern dance lost a true pioneer this week with the passing of Shirley Ririe at the age of 96. For those of us who live and breathe dance, her name isn’t just part of history—it’s a reminder of how passion, persistence, and creativity can shape an entire artistic landscape.
Shirley Ririe, alongside her collaborator Joan Woodbury, didn’t just teach dance; she built a movement. Co-founding the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company in 1964, she turned Utah into an unexpected hub for innovative modern dance. For over six decades, she championed accessibility, education, and artistic fearlessness, influencing generations of dancers, educators, and choreographers.
What strikes me most about Ririe’s work is how timeless it feels. In an era when modern dance was still defining itself outside the cultural epicenters of New York and Europe, she brought it to schools, communities, and audiences who might never have experienced it otherwise. She believed dance was for everyone—a philosophy that feels just as urgent and relevant today.
It’s one thing to be a talented performer or choreographer; it’s another to be a catalyst. Shirley Ririe was both. She leaves behind not just a company or a body of work, but a living, breathing legacy in every dancer who has been inspired by her approach to movement, teaching, and life.
The world of dance moves forward because of giants like her. And though she may be gone, her impact will keep dancing on.
