Got a piece of terribly bad news this morning: the Zybines are dead. They were found in their Mexico home, having both succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning from their heater.
For those people who don’t know, Alex and Violette Zybine were dancers who worked in The Bahamas during the 1960s and 1970s. They were engaged by Hubert Farrington to look after the fledgling Nassau Civic Ballet while he worked at the Metropolitan Opera in New York — in fact, that’s where he met Alex. Violette was my first, and only, ballet teacher. Alex founded the New Breed Dancers and most of the successful Bahamian classical dancers of that era were trained by him — among them Lawrence Carroll, Christine Johnson, Paula Knowles, Ednol Wright, and Victoria McIntosh, among others. They returned to Nassau four or five years ago, and were planning another visit. I heard from Violette, as I always do, just after Christmas, with a set of lovely photographs. I’ll share just two of them here. May they rest in peace.
Alex Zybine Christmas 2011
Violette Zybine Christmas 2011
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so sad. They were substantial contributors to the development of dance and the arts in The Bahamas. I am personally grateful to Alex’s guidance and support as a student.
May their souls rest in peace.
What inspired me the most was their constant desire to learn more, to enjoy more, to give more. This will remain with me for the rest of my life. Tatiana
o no, how terrible. so sorry.
I was shocked and saddened to learn the news two days ago. They were neighbours of mine in the bahamas, but I also danced with them in the Nassau Civic Ballet and the bahamian Folklore group. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
i thank soo much to my dad and mom for all they dit for me ..i have no words to said i love you ..i know when is my turn you be there for me to gide me..