Sylvia Robertson Townsend

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 in New Orleans, Louisiana on Wednesday, May 26, 1943, to William Terrioh and Ethel Omega Robertson. She was the eldest of nine children born to William and Ethel. When Sylvia was 2 years of age, the family moved to Richmond, California. She grew up in the Seaport and Parchester Village neighborhoods within the city of Richmond.

Sylvia met Robert Lee Townsend in 1966 and the two were married on December 26, 1967. Sylvia affectionately referred to her husband 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 - an excellent, wife, mother, homemaker, and cook. Regarding her ability to keep a clean home, it was said you could eat off her floors. Sylvia exemplified the "capable wife" described in Proverbs 31.

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.

Sylvia was a faithful member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. She was an avid Bible reader and when she could no longer read it herself, she enjoyed having the Bible read to her.

Sylvia was self-sacrificing, giving her all for Jehovah God, her family, and her friends. She was a peacemaker who exemplified the spirit of patience and always gave you the benefit of the doubt. Sylvia never held a grudge. Rather she always showed a forgiving spirit toward others.

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. She became known as the little girl with the big voice. Later, Sylvia, Diane, and one of their younger sisters, Barbara, formed the singing group, the Robertson Sisters. The Robertson Sisters 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. She and her mother would watch ballet performances on television. Sylvia decided she wanted to learn ballet and began to check out instructional books from the bookmobile, which made weekly visits to her neighborhood. In time, Sylvia taught herself ballet basics and begin teaching her siblings and neighborhood children what she was learning. By age 16, she was presenting her students at local talent shows.

In time, Sylvia met a Russian ballerina, Madame Sawicka, who invited her 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. In the 1970s, her studio at 653 A 23rd Street in Richmond 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 also on the faculty at EBCPA and was one of the first dance educators to spearhead the after-school programs in the Richmond and Berkeley areas. Sylvia trained her children in dance. As young adults, they joined her as dance teachers in the school. In the 1990s and 2000s, Art of Ballet operated from its Marina Way address.

Prior to taking ill, Sylvia had taught for 45 years. Over the course of that time, she had trained hundreds of students of all racial backgrounds in classical ballet, jazz, and tap dance. The Art of Ballet became known for its classical ballet technique and dance versatility. Some of her students went on to train with the Alvin Ailey School and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Her daughter, Roquisha, performed with Dimensions Dance Theatre in Oakland, CA, and her son, Chantler Townsend, toured with the Dance Theatre of Harlem for several years.

Sylvia became well-known as a classical ballet teacher and dance educator 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 garnered her many awards. For example, in 2004 she received a proclamation from then-Richmond Mayor, Irma Anderson for her contributions to the arts. In 2001, Sylvia was recognized by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts for her work in arts education.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her daughters, April Smith and Roquisha Townsend, parents William and Ethel Robertson, sisters Diane Robertson, Barbara Garrett, and Sandra Scialabba, and brothers, Glenn and Larry Robertson. She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband Robert Lee 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.

There will be a viewing for Sylvia Townsend from 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Thursday, March 16th at Stewart's Rose Manor Funeral Home, 3331 MacDonald Avenue in Richmond. Her burial will be held on Friday, March 17th at 12:30 pm at Rolling Hills Memorial Park Cemetery, 4100 Hilltop Mall Road in Richmond. 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.