– Legendary Utah ballerina dies at 88
– Dance teacher passes away at 88.
Ballet West Mourns the Loss of Bené Arnold, the First Ballet Mistress
(Rolf Kay | Ballet West) Bené Arnold plays Carabosse, the evil queen, in Ballet West’s 1987 production of “Sleeping Beauty.” Arnold, Ballet West’s first ballet mistress and a fixture in Utah dance for decades, died Jan. 25, 2024, at the age of 88.
Utah’s dance community is mourning the loss of Bené Arnold, an iconic figure in ballet and a guiding force for Ballet West during its formative years. Arnold passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that touched the lives of countless dancers.
Arnold’s death, which occurred on January 25, 2024, was announced by Ballet West in a news release. The company did not disclose the cause of her passing or the location where she passed away.
Bené Arnold’s ballet journey began in California when she joined the San Francisco Ballet School in 1948. She quickly rose through the ranks and became a soloist under the direction of Harold Christensen.
During her travels with the San Francisco Ballet, Arnold had her first encounter with Utah in the 1950s. She was captivated by the passion and enthusiasm for the art form that she found in the state, as she later shared in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune in 2009.
In 1961, Arnold moved to Salt Lake City to pursue further studies at the University of Utah. It was here that she joined Ballet West, then known as Utah Civic Ballet, founded by Harold’s brother, Willam Christensen. Arnold assumed the role of Ballet West’s first ballet mistress in 1964, despite the company’s limited resources.
Under Willam Christensen’s leadership, Ballet West achieved many milestones, including the first American production of “The Nutcracker.” Arnold played a crucial role in the company as the rehearsal director for young dancers, staging works by Christensen for both Ballet West and the Cincinnati Ballet. She also showcased her choreography skills with performances for Utah Opera and Arizona Opera.
While still actively involved with Ballet West, Arnold joined the faculty of the University of Utah’s Department of Ballet in 1975. She retired in 2001 but returned as the department’s interim head from 2009 to 2011 before eventually relocating to St. George, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune.
Arnold’s contributions to the state of Utah were recognized in 1984 when she received commendation from the Utah State Senate. Throughout her career, she also performed as a guest artist in various character roles with Ballet West, showcasing her versatility and talent.
Bené Arnold’s impact on the dance world cannot be overstated. She was a beloved and passionate artist, as well as a dedicated educator. Adam Sklute, Ballet West’s artistic director, expressed his gratitude for Arnold’s contributions and her role in shaping the company’s history.
Arnold’s achievements were recognized with numerous awards, including the Chamber of Commerce Award and the Governor’s Award for the Arts in 1997. Additionally, the University of Utah’s College of Fine Arts honored her with the Excellence award, and she was named a Distinguished Professor Emerita upon her retirement.
Peter Christie, Ballet West’s director of education and outreach, who had been with the company for 40 years, highlighted Arnold’s remarkable passion for developing dancers and the art form. Her dedication and commitment will forever be remembered.
At this time, no information is available regarding survivors or memorial services for Bené Arnold.
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– Legendary Utah ballerina and dance teacher
– Utah ballerina and dance teacher dies at 88.
