The New York Baroque Dance Co.

Valerie Shelton Tabor (September 20, 1973- October 30, 2025)

I first met Valerie when she was a student at Southern Methodist University and I was the ad interim Chair of Dance (1995-96). I was drawn to her elegance and beautiful epaulement as well as her quick wit. The department was working on its spring concert and I mounted my choreography on four dancers to J.S. Bach’s French Suite #5. She was perfect for dancing the saraband with her refined technique and languid arms. I was eager to have her join The New York Baroque Dance Company at that time, but she decided to pursue a law degree.

We later connected when she wanted advice on starting a contemporary ballet company. I encouraged her to begin with a school before starting the company… the rest is history. In 2005, Lindsay DiGiuseppe Salih opened the school, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, in Lakewood with a goal of establishing a dance school of the highest caliber, offering various techniques, and in a positive environment to shape dancers as dancers and as individuals. Read More https://www.contemporaryballetdallas.com/about-dance-school

The performing arm of the school was Valerie’s dream. Here is an interview with her from 2014: https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/100-dallas-creatives-no-71-dance-captain-valerie-shelton-tabor-7097309/  Things have changed over the years and CBD is now uniquely focused on the school.

Valerie performed with our company and we collaborated on projects both in New York City and in Dallas. She was praised for her role as the Unicorn in Jean Philippe Rameau’s opera ballet, Zephyre, by The New York Times:

“There was a charming Unicorn dance for Valerie Sheldon Tabor, who crossed the stage in dainty prances while wearing a towering headpiece in the form of the mythical creature.” ( In the photo above dancer Alexis Silver offers the Unicorn an apple.)   Full review: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/arts/dance/23baroque.html

Valerie also danced  with passion in Monteverdi’s Il Ballo delle Ingrate (pictured at the top) performed with Ars Lyrica Houston and then the Dallas Bach Society.  And in our last collaboration where she created a ballet based on the story of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de St. George, she was an inspired collaborator. https://artsandculturetx.com/music-milestones-dallas-bach-societys-spring-season/

Valerie’s departure from this world just a few days ago is difficult to understand and she will be missed. Our sympathy goes out to her family and to the many dancers who worked with her and were moved by her artistry, determination and passion for life.

Catherine Turocy, November 3, 2025