In Memoriam Barbara Duncan, Choreographer
We note with sadness the passing of dancer and choreographer Barbara Duncan on May 8, 2023, of complications from Lewy Body Dementia. As a choreographer, Barbara brought incredible creativity and joy to Opera North (then Light Opera of Norwich) productions, ranging from Die Fledermaus to numerous Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She met the love of her life, local attorney Gary Brooks, while teaching him to waltz (“in more than one direction”) in a production of Pirates of Penzance.
Louis Burkot remembers, "As a dancer and choreographer, Barbara’s impact on Opera North’s early years was invaluable. She, along with David Strohmeier and I, forged a wonderful creative partnership that launched Opera North over 40 years ago. From the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan to the waltzes of Johann Strauss in Die Fledermaus, Barbara had a special gift to turn everyone she met into a dancer. When she took center stage as a performer, her artistry touched us all."
After graduating from St. Lawrence University, Barbara became a principal with the corps of Syracuse Ballet for several years. In 1976, Barbara moved (with two goats in her truck) to Vermont, settling first in Thetford Hill, in a house rented from author and Dartmouth Professor Ned Perrin. Dartmouth hired Barbara to teach ballet, and she crossed paths there with the original founders of Pilobolus. Afterwards she founded the Whirligig Dance Studio in Norwich, Vermont, where she taught ballet to adoring adults and youth for many years.
In the 1990's, Barbara put her love for the environment on the front burner. She formed the Vermont Population Alliance and became its Executive Director. After a few years, VPA aligned itself with the Northwest Earth Institute of Portland, Oregon, and became its Vermont affiliate under the name Vermont Earth Institute. Using materials developed by the NWEI, Barbara led, and trained others to lead, discussion groups on such topics as "Sustainable Development" and "Menus for the Future" for churches, businesses and organizations around the state. When NWEI presented her with a lifetime achievement award, they noted that 8000 Vermonters had taken these discussion courses under Barbara's leadership.
In addition to her husband, Gary, and daughter, Thea, Barbara is survived by her stepdaughter Rachel Brooks Bartlett (Brian) and her step-grandchildren: Anderson, Hill, Hampton and Bailey Bartlett; by her stepson Coleman Brooks (Courtney); and by her sister, Deborah Duncan (David Bak), and brother, David Duncan.
A memorial service in celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on June 22, 2023. Opera North is grateful to be named among those Barbara’s family has asked for memorial gifts to be directed, along with Willing Hands.
In Memoriam: Barbara Duncan
We note with sadness the passing of dancer and choreographer Barbara Duncan on May 8, 2023, of complications from Lewy Body Dementia. As a choreographer, Barbara brought incredible creativity and joy to Opera North (then Light Opera of Norwich) productions, ranging from Die Fledermaus to numerous Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She met the love of her life, local attorney Gary Brooks, while teaching him to waltz (“in more than one direction”) in a production of Pirates of Penzance.
Louis Burkot remembers, "As a dancer and choreographer, Barbara’s impact on Opera North’s early years was invaluable. She, along with David Strohmeier and I, forged a wonderful creative partnership that launched Opera North over 40 years ago. From the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan to the waltzes of Johann Strauss in Die Fledermaus, Barbara had a special gift to turn everyone she met into a dancer. When she took center stage as a performer, her artistry touched us all."
After graduating from St. Lawrence University, Barbara became a principal with the corps of Syracuse Ballet for several years. In 1976, Barbara moved (with two goats in her truck) to Vermont, settling first in Thetford Hill, in a house rented from author and Dartmouth Professor Ned Perrin. Dartmouth hired Barbara to teach ballet, and she crossed paths there with the original founders of Pilobolus. Afterwards she founded the Whirligig Dance Studio in Norwich, Vermont, where she taught ballet to adoring adults and youth for many years.
In the 1990's, Barbara put her love for the environment on the front burner. She formed the Vermont Population Alliance and became its Executive Director. After a few years, VPA aligned itself with the Northwest Earth Institute of Portland, Oregon, and became its Vermont affiliate under the name Vermont Earth Institute. Using materials developed by the NWEI, Barbara led, and trained others to lead, discussion groups on such topics as "Sustainable Development" and "Menus for the Future" for churches, businesses and organizations around the state. When NWEI presented her with a lifetime achievement award, they noted that 8000 Vermonters had taken these discussion courses under Barbara's leadership.
In addition to her husband, Gary, and daughter, Thea, Barbara is survived by her stepdaughter Rachel Brooks Bartlett (Brian) and her step-grandchildren: Anderson, Hill, Hampton and Bailey Bartlett; by her stepson Coleman Brooks (Courtney); and by her sister, Deborah Duncan (David Bak), and brother, David Duncan.
A memorial service in celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on June 22, 2023. Opera North is grateful to be named among those Barbara’s family has asked for memorial gifts to be directed, along with Willing Hands.
