Ballet West mourns death of ballet master Mark Goldweber

SALT LAKE CITY — Mark Goldweber, 53, ballet master for Ballet West and director of Ballet West II, died Friday, Dec. 9, after a battle with cancer.

"Mark Goldweber was my right hand and one of my dearest friends," said Adam Sklute, artistic director of Ballet West. "He was a genius in the dance studios and had infinite knowledge about his art form."

Born in Coconut Grove, Fla., Goldweber received his early ballet training under renowned Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo dancer Thomas Armour. Among his many accomplishments, Goldweber was cast at the age of 19 in the leading role of the "Boy in Blue" in The Joffrey Ballet's recreation of Sir Frederick Ashton's "Les Patineurs." He was also founding ballet master for the Oregon Ballet Theatre and worked as part of the artistic staff with The Joffrey Ballet until he came to Ballet West in 2007.

A memorial service in Salt Lake City will take place at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Goldweber can be made to Ballet West II. For more information, visit www.balletwest.org or call 801-869-6919.