Renowned Twin Cities dance founder Toni Pierce-Sands has left an indelible mark on the local arts scene after her passing at 63 due to cancer. Her legacy as a dancer, instructor, and mentor is a testament to her unwavering dedication to excellence.
Pierce-Sands was known for her unrelenting passion and intensity, which she instilled in those around her. A former member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pierce-Sands brought this same rigor and discipline to TU Dance, an organization she co-founded with her husband Uri Sands in 2005. Under her guidance, the organization has grown to serve over 4,000 students, becoming a cornerstone of the local dance community.
As an instructor, Pierce-Sands was renowned for pushing her students to excel, both technically and artistically. Her mantra "nothing to prove, only to share" encapsulated her approach to teaching, which emphasized finding one's own unique voice and contribution to their communities through movement. This philosophy has had a lasting impact on many dancers who have studied under her, including Neeraj Mehta, board chair of TU Dance.
Mehta recalls Pierce-Sands' unwavering commitment to excellence, saying "she had a hunger and a discipline" that was contagious. Her approach to teaching encouraged students to dig deep within themselves, finding their own inner strength and motivation. This approach has been passed on by many, including Darrius Strong, who now leads the local dance company STRONGmovement.
Pierce-Sands' legacy extends beyond her own organization, as well. She inspired a new generation of dancers and choreographers, including Yusha-Marie Sorzano, who has performed alongside Pierce-Sands at TU Dance and created works for the organization.
As TU Dance plans to celebrate Pierce-Sands' life in the coming year, there is a renewed commitment to upholding her standards of excellence and rigor. Board chair Mehta said, "We are committed to ensuring that TU Dance exists for the next 20 years with the same level of discipline and hunger that Toni demanded."
Pierce-Sands is survived by her husband Uri Sands, son Tre Odums, and other family members. Her passing leaves a void in the dance community, but her legacy will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of dancers and artists.
Pierce-Sands was known for her unrelenting passion and intensity, which she instilled in those around her. A former member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pierce-Sands brought this same rigor and discipline to TU Dance, an organization she co-founded with her husband Uri Sands in 2005. Under her guidance, the organization has grown to serve over 4,000 students, becoming a cornerstone of the local dance community.
As an instructor, Pierce-Sands was renowned for pushing her students to excel, both technically and artistically. Her mantra "nothing to prove, only to share" encapsulated her approach to teaching, which emphasized finding one's own unique voice and contribution to their communities through movement. This philosophy has had a lasting impact on many dancers who have studied under her, including Neeraj Mehta, board chair of TU Dance.
Mehta recalls Pierce-Sands' unwavering commitment to excellence, saying "she had a hunger and a discipline" that was contagious. Her approach to teaching encouraged students to dig deep within themselves, finding their own inner strength and motivation. This approach has been passed on by many, including Darrius Strong, who now leads the local dance company STRONGmovement.
Pierce-Sands' legacy extends beyond her own organization, as well. She inspired a new generation of dancers and choreographers, including Yusha-Marie Sorzano, who has performed alongside Pierce-Sands at TU Dance and created works for the organization.
As TU Dance plans to celebrate Pierce-Sands' life in the coming year, there is a renewed commitment to upholding her standards of excellence and rigor. Board chair Mehta said, "We are committed to ensuring that TU Dance exists for the next 20 years with the same level of discipline and hunger that Toni demanded."
Pierce-Sands is survived by her husband Uri Sands, son Tre Odums, and other family members. Her passing leaves a void in the dance community, but her legacy will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of dancers and artists.
u feel like we're losin our connection to the old guard? like Toni Pierce-Sands was one of those ppl who actually lived & breathed their art 24/7 
no wonder she had such a huge impact on the dance scene, she wasn't afraid to put in the work 
it's crazy how her legacy is gonna live on through all the dancers she touched, like Neeraj Mehta and Darrius Strong 
can't wait to see what new talent comes outta TU Dance next year! 
she pushed people to be their best selves through dance and that's something we should all strive for 
i mean, it's crazy to think about the impact she had on 4k+ students and the community at large... she didn't just teach dance, she taught life lessons 
like finding your own unique voice and contribution - that's something we can all learn from 
toni pierce-sands was an icon, you know? she had this energy that just drew ppl in, and her teaching style was all about finding your own voice, not trying to emulate someone else's. it's crazy how much of a impact she had on the dance community, i mean over 4k students can't be wrong 
. i love how her husband uri is still involved with TU Dance, he must be hurting too 
. and i'm so glad to see neeraj mehta talking about the "nothing to prove, only to share" mantra, that's some deep stuff 
. anyway, let's take a sec to appreciate toni's legacy and celebrate her life 
! i took one of her classes when i was younger and it changed my life 
i loved how she pushed us to be our best selves, but also encouraged us to find our own voice and style 
tu dance is more than just a company, it's a community and she's the heart of that 
. She was definitely a true icon in the dance world! I mean, can you even imagine all those students she trained over the years? Like, 4,000+ 
. It's a shame she had to leave us too soon, but I'm sure her legacy will keep on dancing 
she was so dedicated to excellence 
that pushed everyone to be their best self 
20 yrs is a big goal tho 
. It's crazy to think about how many people she inspired through dance, though - from Neeraj Mehta to Yusha-Marie Sorzano... her teaching philosophy was all about finding your own voice, which I think we can all relate to on some level 
. I'm sure TU Dance is gonna keep pushing those high standards for the next 20 years, and I'm kinda stoked to see where they go with it 
The way she pushed her students to be their best selves is still inspiring ppl today