Arts community mourns passing of former Australian Ballet dancer Tiffany Moulton
The Sydney Morning Herald
Lucy Cormack
February 3,2014
Tiffany Moulton (L) pictured in costume with Rachel Rawlins (R) for the Australian Ballet Company's performance of Madame Butterfly at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl March 1999.
Photo: Viki Yemettas
The Australian artistic community has this week been devastated with the passing of a former star dancer.
Tiffany Moulton, a former dancer with the Australian Ballet Company, had her life support switched off on Friday afternoon after a fall at her home left her in a coma for 11 days.
Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet David McAllister said her loss would be greatly felt.
"Tiffany was light personified. All who met her were captured by her radiance. She was someone who when you saw her dancing on stage or in the street, she always made you smile and the day would somehow seem better. We will miss her goodness and beautiful spirit,” he said.
"She always had this smile that was brighter than the stage lights," said best friend Rachel Dougherty, of Tiffany Moulton.
Photo: Janie Barrett
After completing her dancing career with the Australian Ballet, which spanned 1995 to 1999, Ms Moulton worked in an administrative capacity at the Australian Ballet’s Sydney office.
For the past three and half years however, she worked as a donor program manager at the Sydney Theatre Company.
STC Colleague, Patrick McIntyre said Ms Moulton was unique as it is “so rare for people to span both sides of the industry.”
“She's always been a fantastic example of how many dancers seem to be capable of training their mind to do anything because they have such determination”.
He said that at both the Australian Ballet and the Sydney Theatre Company she was admired for her commitment to her work.
“She was an unbelievably gracious and positive person in the office, and she always made very close friends wherever she went.
“There is a whole network of people close to the company who have nothing but great admiration for Tiffany and always looked forward to working with her,” said Mr McIntyre.
Rachel Dougherty, also a former Australian Ballet dancer, was Ms Moulton’s best friend and flatmate during their time at the company.
“She was like the ultimate quiet humble achiever. Ready and steady and reliable, and if someone got injured or someone didn't show up, there she was.
“Tiffany was a really intelligent dancer, always prepared for everything and she could do any role at the last minute. She was not a typical artist, not at all self-absorbed, always helping other people and kind and compassionate,” she said.
Earlier on Friday afternoon Ms Moulton’s sister Olivia was among many leaving messages of love and admiration for the former dancer on her Facebook page.
“Our precious Tiffany is fighting so hard but the injuries she has are just too monumental for even this strong woman to conquer...she is a truly unique and special human being. I don't have a more perfect person in my life. She is my sister and best friend,” she wrote.
Richard Evans worked with Ms Moulton while he was the executive director of the Australian Ballet.
During his time as CEO of the Sydney Opera House he said they kept in touch through her work with the STC.
“One of our industry’s most gracious and loved colleagues, Tiffany not only had the ability to light up a room, but a whole organisation. Her impact will be missed by all who worked with her, on both sides of the proscenium."
Former ballet colleagues said she would be best remembered for her role in Madame Butterfly.
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