Arnott Mader

The Richmond Dance Community and the International Dance Community have lost one of their most beloved members. Arnott Mader passed away peacefully in Richmond, VA at 93 years of age on Monday, April 4, 2022. He was born September 30, 1928 in Kitchener, Ontario to the late Lloyd Mader and Minnie Mader. Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Gwen Arndt, and nephews Tom Arndt (Sheila), Dan Arndt (Jen), and Doug Arndt, and great niece and nephews.

He received his dance education in Toronto at the Royal Academy of Dance and from there went to London, England to study on scholarship at the Royal Academy of Dance. Many teachers both in New York and London influenced his career, Northcott, Danelian, Dollar, Pereyaslavec, Griffith and Joffrey among others. Especially important to Arnott was his first teacher and mentor in Toronto, Bettina Byers. “When I moved to Toronto from the farm at the age of 16, my teacher stepped up to the plate. Not only teaching me ballet technique, but making sure I attended concerts and other artistic events. What I did and am doing, is because of her.”

As a young dancer in London he appeared in two musicals (Robert Helpmann choreographer) before joining the Royal Ballet with which he made four American tours and several European tours, including the first Holland Festival after the war and performances in L’Opera in Paris, La Scala in Milan, La Fenice in Venice, San Carlo in Naples. While in the Royal Ballet, he danced the part of Von Rothbart beside Margot Fonteyn’s Swan Queen. Standing in the wings, just before entering Margot turned to him and said, “If everyone in this company had your discipline, Arnott, this would be a much better company.” Returning to America in 1958 he performed at Radio City Music Hall for one year before joining American Ballet Theatre in 1960. With ABT, he toured Europe and Russia for six months. In 1963 when ABT was on one of their many hiatuses, he joined the tour of Camelot, followed by Hello Dolly with Carol Channing, Fiddler on the Roof, and Carousel in 1965. He also toured with the Carol Burnett Show in 1962. In 1967 he performed at the White House in Hello Dolly with Carol Channing for President and Mrs. Johnson. He said one of the highlights of his life was the Hello Dolly tour with Martha Raye to Vietnam. Soldiers would sit out in the rain to see this production. Some would be wounded and in bandages and they still sat in the rain. There would be very little in terms of a tent to protect them. At the end of the shows, they would be standing and screaming. Arnott remembered, “It was so unbearable sometimes, it was so wonderful.” His passionate retelling of these grand stories with his witty sense of humor are cherished by anyone that had the privilege and joy of his company.

Here in Richmond, he mentored and inspired generations of young dancers both at the Richmond Ballet where he taught from 1981–2013 and at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Dance and Choreography where he taught from 1990–2011. Stoner Winslett, Artistic Director of Richmond Ballet, said that his influence on hundreds of students and company members at Richmond Ballet cannot be overstated. He had a joy of dance that was completely infectious. With characteristic sardonic wit, he himself said, “Teaching is special. One doesn’t know how the students are thinking, if at all. Which of our words will they remember?” We will remember much, Mr. Mader.

He loved dance the art form and he loved the process of teaching. Most importantly, he loved his students. In thirty-seven years of teaching, he also directed the Fort Wayne Ballet, and taught at Cleveland Ballet, before coming to the Richmond Ballet as a full-time faculty. In 2012, Richmond Ballet honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award while the company was on tour at White Lodge in Richmond, England and he was the recipient of the of Richmond Magazine’s Pollack Award in 2013. Accepting the Pollack Award he said these words, “You dear, dear people of Richmond, Virginia and environs. Those words were uttered by Carol Channing after a performance (I was in) of Hello Dolly in 67/68. And that was the last time I was on stage in Richmond.” But in reality, he will perform here in Richmond forever.

Arnott traveled the world, first as a dancer and then as an inquisitive mind. He didn’t go with touring groups, because he wanted to get to know the people, learn about their culture, and about what they were thinking. “I only traveled twice with someone else. The first time was good and the second time, wasn’t. After that, I preferred to travel alone.” In his late 80’s, he still regularly took the bus to Washington DC to see dance at the Kennedy Center and to New York, even when he was on a walker. Staying at the YMCA across the street from Lincoln Center, he would make his way to the rehearsals and performances there with New York City Ballet, ABT, and visiting companies. He was an adventurer and an inspiration.

Generations of us, in Richmond and around the world, students, colleagues, family, friends, and legions of your fans will so miss you Mr. Mader. We have been warmed by your light! And are better for it. Bye for now, Ducks.

A memorial service and performance will be held in October 2022 (Date TBD). In lieu of flowers, please consider extending Arnott’s legacy by making a donation in his memory to Richmond Ballet to provide scholarships for aspiring dancers. To make a donation go to richmondballet.com/mader

“For Arnott” A Celebration Honoring the Life and Spirit of Arnott Mader

Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 4:00pm

Richmond Ballet - 407 East Canal St. Richmond, VA 23219

Reception Following

Please join us to celebrate the extraordinary life of Arnott Mader. The program will be held in the Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre and will also be live streamed to the lobby. The reception will be held in the Richmond Ballet building. There will be a virtual link for the program (by request only) available for those that are unable to attend in person.

RSVP REQUIRED: To RSVP and for more ticket information, please visit this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/396054859747

Please consider extending Arnott’s legacy by making a donation in his memory to Richmond Ballet to provide scholarships for aspiring dancers. To make a donation go to richmondballet.com/mader