Dancers find temporary refuge at Trinity Church

Angelic figures moving with grace, beauty, and passion. Ballet, at a church. What could be more natural?

Several months ago, because of state COVID Protocols, Sonoma’s Conservatory of Dance was forced to close its doors to its young students and find an outdoor location. Through a board member with a connection to Trinity Episcopal Church, Conservatory director Patti O’Reilly approached Fr. Jim Thomas, Priest-in-Charge. 

Fr. Thomas suggested the Abbott Courtyard, a lovely patio space framed by sycamore trees, between buildings on the Church’s East Spain Street campus. Why not practice there? O’Reilly set about measuring the space, and that same afternoon brought over three roll-out floors to set between the rows of trees. It was perfect; the dancers could maintain social distance, and even balance against the trees instead of ballet barres.

As the pandemic wore on, O’Reilly hit upon the idea of building a platform floor in the church’s commodious parking lot.  With the generosity of Benchmark Construction, MG Equipment, the McDermott family, and of course, Trinity Episcopal Church, the floor was quickly installed and has been used on beautiful days for ballet students of all ages —some even as young as two!  When the weather is not so beautiful, classes are held on Zoom.

The Conservatory of Dance, now in its 50th year, is getting ready for its annual (this year virtual) Teddy Bear Tea Party.  The school, a nonprofit, has set a fundraising goal of $50,000 in honor of the anniversary and in recognition of need for support due to the impacts of COVID-19.  Access to the Tea Party is free; learn more at https://www.sonomaconservatoryofdance.org/events.html.  To make a tax-deductible donation towards their fundraising goal, visit https://www.sonomaconservatoryofdance.org/ and click on the “50th Anniversary and COVID19 Support” campaign button.

The church is happy to do its part, providing the space during this time of uncertainty. “So many businesses are in trouble; we are happy we can help in just a small way,” Fr. Thomas said.

The church itself has had to adapt during the pandemic. While most outreach programs are suspended, Trinity continues to support a lively “Meals on Wheels” program providing 120 meals a day, five days a week. Sunday Services are offered at 9 a.m. on YouTube and are attracting a larger and larger audience, some from as far away as the East Coast, and even Italy.