SYDELLE GOMBERG

1928 - 2023

GOMBERG, Sydelle (Silver) Of Boston, passed away peacefully, on February 13, 2023, a month before her 95th birthday. Sydelle started dancing at the age of three, and at the age of 12, was accepted as the youngest student at Jacob's Pillow in Lenox, MA, to study with Alicia Markova. Following that summer, she received a scholarship to study in New York City, to begin serious training, and while attending Professional Children's School, she studied with Ludmilla Shollar and Anatole Vilzak. Over the ensuing years, she studied with Pierre Vladimiroff and Anatole Oboukhoff at the School of America Ballet, as well as with Edward Caton, Vincenzo Celli and Margaret Craske. Sydelle also performed in Boston. At the ages of 13 and 14, she danced the role of Gottfried in the Metropolitan Opera Company production of "Lohengrin", with legendary singers Kirsten Flagstad and Lauritz Melchoir. At the age of 16, she was accepted in the Corps de Ballet at Radio City Music Hall and appeared as a soloist in the Broadway play "Lute Song", starring Mary Martin and Yul Brynner. Returning to Boston, she married Ralph Gomberg, principal oboist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and raised her four children. She continued her career starting again in 1962, when she founded the ballet department at the All Newton Music School in Newtonville, MA. She also taught ballet at the Boston Conservatory. From there, with the enthusiastic recommendation of E. Virginia Williams, she developed the dance program at the Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA. After being appointed their Dean for the Arts, she was instrumental in broadening the direction of the school, so that it is now known as a Performing Arts School. Sydelle's success at Walnut Hill prompted Bruce Marks, in 1985, to ask her to join with him in making the Boston Ballet School one of the most prestigious in the nation. She was there for eight years, during which time the enrollment increased from 200 to over 1000, with graduates performing not only in the Boston Ballet company, but in ballet companies all over the world. In addition to directing the school, she had several opportunities to perform with the Boston Ballet in character roles. She loved taking part in the performances and being on stage again. She was a Regional Secretary for the Royal Academy of Dancing, an active member of the Executive Board of the Berkshire Civic Ballet Company, served on the Dance Panel of the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities and was appointed Chairwoman of the Special Commission on the Performing Arts. Sydelle felt proud that those many years of tireless devotion and caring had borne the fruits of her labor and love. Sydelle was predeceased by her loving husband of 58 years, Ralph Gomberg. She is survived by her four children, Steph Chiha of Arlington, MA, Jamie Balint of Farmington, NH, David Gomberg of Framingham, MA and Deb Diamond of Mansfield, MA; as well as Pierre Chiha; Steve Balint; and Rich Diamond; her seven grandchildren, Danene and Marni Balint, Gaby Chiha and Shira, Matia, Ben and Jakob Diamond; and many nieces and nephews. She will be truly missed by her family, her friends, and all of the many students she inspired over the years. A small family Graveside Service is being planned for July. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Sydelle Gomberg Scholarship. Checks should be addressed to Boston Ballet with a directive to Boston Ballet School scholarships, in memory of Sydelle Gomberg, and mailed to Boston Ballet, Attn.: Development Office, 19 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. For her online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com Dee Funeral Home of Concord 978-369-2030 Caring for families since 1868