Judy Rice Obituary: University of Michigan Dance Professor and Ballet Educator Remembered
The performing arts and dance communities are grieving the passing of Judy Rice, a highly respected ballet teacher, choreographer, mentor, and longtime Associate Professor of Performing Arts at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Recognized for her extraordinary dedication to dance education and artistic development, Rice built a legacy that touched the lives of students, performers, and fellow educators throughout the United States and Canada.
For more than three decades, Judy Rice served as an influential faculty member in the Department of Dance at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After joining the institution in 1990, she quickly became admired for her skill in ballet instruction, her commitment to mentoring young artists, and her leadership within the performing arts community. Her work extended well beyond the university classroom, shaping the broader dance world through teaching, coaching, and artistic collaboration.
As of now, no official cause of death has been publicly released by Rice’s family or university representatives. Loved ones and colleagues have requested privacy while many members of the dance community continue to honor her memory through heartfelt tributes and messages of sympathy.
Judy Rice began her professional journey with training at the esteemed National Ballet School of Canada, one of the most respected ballet institutions in North America. Her education there laid the foundation for an accomplished performance career that spanned both Canada and the United States. During her years as a professional dancer, she performed with notable organizations such as the Joffrey Ballet, the National Tap Dance Company of Canada, and American Ballet Comedy.
Although she achieved success on stage, Rice became equally celebrated for her role as an educator. At the University of Michigan, she guided aspiring dancers in mastering technical precision while also encouraging creativity, confidence, and professionalism. Her contributions to the university were recognized when she became the first recipient of the SMTD Teaching Excellence Award.
Outside academia, Rice maintained a strong presence within the professional dance industry. She co-founded Alpha Dance Convention and taught at numerous prestigious organizations, workshops, and conferences across North America. Her teaching résumé included affiliations with Broadway Dance Center, Pace University, Peridance, Company Dance, Dance Masters of America, CNADM, 3D Dance Network, and the Joffrey Ballet School.
Rice also served as an adjudicator and instructor for major dance competitions and conventions, including ADA, Headliners, NUVO, 24Seven Dance Convention, and ASH Productions. Her expertise and mentorship made her one of the most respected ballet educators in the industry.
In 2000, Rice partnered with pianist Paul Lewis and producer Rob Martens to launch Behind Barres, a project dedicated to creating ballet class music and educational materials for dancers and teachers worldwide. Their work gained additional recognition after being featured in the television drama Lost.
Throughout her career, Rice also appeared in television productions such as Fame, All My Children, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. She later collaborated with choreographer Tyce Diorio on projects related to So You Think You Can Dance and worked privately as a ballet coach for actresses Katie Holmes and Amy Adams.
Judy Rice will be remembered for her passion, generosity, and lifelong commitment to the art of dance. Her influence continues through the countless students and performers whose careers and lives she helped shape.