8 October 2024
Richard and Committee member Jacqui Lewis taken when presented the Honorary Fellowship certificate.
Richard was an ISTD Examiner, former Cecchetti Faculty Committee member and an expert teacher. His death will be deeply mourned by dancers, teachers, and enthusiasts alike, all of whom were touched by his remarkable career and dedication to the art form.
Born in the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), Richard grew up in a bilingual family, speaking both English and French. He later became fluent in several languages, including Dutch, Yiddish, Turkish, and, more recently, Mandarin.
Richard's ballet training began at the University of Cape Town Ballet School under Dulcie Howes. He went on to hold prominent positions as both a dancer and choreographer with the CAPAB Ballet Company in Cape Town and Scapino Ballet in Amsterdam.
He married artist Heather Magoon, who designed many costumes and sets for his ballets during his tenure as resident choreographer for the Turkish State Ballet. It was in Turkey that Richard forged a close professional relationship with Dame Ninette de Valois, which ultimately led to his appointment at the Royal Ballet School. There, Richard served as Senior Teacher for Boys and Director of the Dance Composition Course. His time at the Royal Ballet School also saw him collaborate with Nora Roche, whose immense influence on his career inspired him to found the Cecchetti Centre in London in 1983.
Richard receiving his MBE from the Queen, 20 October 2013
The Cecchetti Centre was initially funded by a gala performance Richard organized to honour Nora Roche’s extraordinary contributions to both the Cecchetti Society and the Royal Ballet School. The event featured dancers from the Royal Ballet Companies and School, all of whom were former students of Roche. The program highlighted how Enrico Cecchetti’s Diploma exercises informed the choreography of Sir Frederick Ashton, underscoring the deep connection between Cecchetti's principles and Ashton’s work.
A passionate advocate of the Cecchetti method, Richard envisioned the Centre as an open-access space for all who wished to study the technique. His weekly Cecchetti classes attracted both dancers and teachers who sought to master the principles of simplicity and repetition that Richard perfected. Known for his meticulous approach, Richard was a “master” of “breakdown” — a term he used to describe his ability to deconstruct any movement to clarify its details for students.
In recognition of his tireless dedication, Richard was awarded the prestigious Cecchetti Gold Medal in 1994. In 2023, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing honoured him with an Honorary Fellowship, the highest accolade the society can bestow.
Beyond his teaching and examining work, Richard contributed extensively to ballet literature. He authored numerous articles for publications such as Dance (the ISTD members' magazine), The Dancing Times and Dance Now. His writings on Ashton and Cecchetti are invaluable resources for researchers and dancers alike.
Richard with Dame Ninette de Valois
Richard also published several books, including Pioneer of Ballet in South Africa: Dulcie Howes (1996), a biography of his first teacher that paints a vivid picture of the early years of the CAPAB University Ballet School and Company. His Classical Ballet Terms: An Illustrated Dictionary (2001) provides insightful commentary on the varied terminologies used to describe ballet steps and movements and My Lifetime of Dance (2020), which features an in-depth explanation of Cecchetti’s approach to teaching.
One of Richard’s proudest moments came in 2013 when he was awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his significant contribution to British ballet. He beamed with pride as he shared a video of himself receiving the award at Buckingham Palace, a memory he cherished. His dedication was also recognized in 2023 when the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet organisation (CICB), of which he was a founding member, presented him with the Outstanding International Contribution and Dedication Award.
Richard was a tireless mentor who offered unwavering encouragement to everyone eager to learn the Cecchetti method. His enthusiasm and passion inspired countless dancers and teachers, and his legacy will continue to resonate through the generations he helped shape.
For those who did not have the privilege of knowing him personally or who are yet to experience the Cecchetti Method, they will come to appreciate, as we have, the invaluable heritage he built for us all.
