Barbados’ standard-bearer in dance, Richild Springer, has passed away.
The 73-year-old died this morning after a brief illness in Paris, France, where she lived for more then 40 years.
The daughter of former governor general of Barbados Sir Hugh Springer and his wife Lady Springer, Richild attended Queen’s College and began dance studies in Jamaica under Rex Nettleford, Neville Black and Lavinia Williams.
She earned a degree in dance from Bard College of New York and danced her away from the United States to Europe and back.
Her chosen career allowed her to appear on television in France and England and she worked with some of the biggest names in choreography at the time, including Donald McKayle, Molly Molloy and Yannis Kokkos.
She went on tour with Sammy Davis Jr and played the role of Josephine Baker in the last Josephine Baker’s Review in Monte Carlo.
Richild also taught dance and was a choreographer.
She was the godmother of Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
In offering condolences to her family, Granville Garner, who danced with her at the Barbados Dance Theatre Company, remembered the impact she had on the troupe in the 1980s.
“We would have all benefitted from her skills as a teacher and her choreographies which were revolutionary at the time when she came to Dance Theatre,” he said on Starcom Network this morning.
“Over those years, Richild was always a phenomenal talent. This was a person if you were in dance and you were fortunate to meet Richild, you would have had an experience beyond anything else you would have experienced in Barbados.”
Garner said she was very well-respected, both locally and internationally. (SAT)
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