DUBBO’S 101-year-old doyenne of dance will be honoured at a joyful memorial service on Saturday.
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An accomplished dancer and singer, Bettina Joyce Schneider left behind a successful career on the stage to marry a Dubbo and district farmer and in 1934 launched what was now called Dubbo Ballet Studio (DBS).
Three generations of Dubbo families have benefited from her passion for the performing arts, acknowledged nationally by the receipt of an Order of Australia Medal and internationally by a president’s award from the London-based Royal Academy of Dancing.
Mrs Schneider died in her sleep at a Dubbo nursing home last week.
Her devoted family is organising the memorial service at Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, which includes the Joyce Schneider Auditorium.
Mrs Schneider’s favourite music will be played at the hour-long service, expected to draw a large crowd.
Images and footage from her life’s journey will be screened.
Family and community members will speak.
A highlight of the service will be a performance by DBS students of a lyrical piece choreographed especially for the occasion by Mrs Schneider’s former student and current principal of the studio, Anna Bloomfield.
On Tuesday Mrs Bloomfield said her mentor’s death marked the end of an era.
“There are no women like her anymore,” Mrs Bloomfield said.
“She had this pure elegance and grace, and genuinely cared for everyone.
“She was passionate and compassionate.”
Mrs Schneider was in her mid-90s when she fully retired with her friendly face missed by the DBS students who she kept watch on for many years after relinquishing her teacher duties.
Family was at the “centre of her world”, according to Mrs Bloomfield who was made to feel part of it.
“Of all her achievements she still had this humility and grace,” Mrs Bloomfield said.
“She had no ego and didn’t like fuss.
“I don’t think she had any idea of the impact she had on the community. That was part of her charm.”
The doors of the Joyce Schneider Auditorium will open at 12.30pm on Saturday with a “first-in-best-dressed” approach to seating.
The service will be screened in the foyer for community members who miss out on seats.