It is with profound sadness that CPYB announces the passing of Richard Cook. 

Richard received his early training in California and at the Royal Conservatory of Music and Dance in the Netherlands. After performing with the San Francisco Opera and the Pennsylvania Ballet, Richard began his career as a teacher and choreographer.

Richard served as former Associate Artistic Director of CPYB. He premiered his first ballet, Classical Symphony, at CPYB in 1982. Since then he has choreographed many other ballets, including Offenbach Waltz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream,  Souvenirs, Dance of the Hours and Light of Day, as well as assisted in the rehearsals of many CPYB repertoires.  In addition to choreographing and rehearsals, Richard continued to teach partnering at CPYB and was a permanent guest faculty member.

A frequent guest teacher for professional and pre-professional ballet companies throughout the United States, Richard’s works have been performed by the Atlanta Ballet and the Dayton Ballet as well as being featured in three of the Carlisle Projects annual summer showcases. A three time recipient of Choreographic Fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Richard also served on peer review panels for the P.C.A. and other organizations.

He will be greatly missed at CPYB.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard’s family and friends during this difficult time.

If you would like to share a special memory of Richard with us, please e-mail Melinda Howe at howe@cpyb.org to share your story or photos.