BBT mourns dear friend and colleague Russell Sultzbach
The Nutcracker production (1992-1995) choreographed by Russell Sultzbach and staged in collaboration with Southern Ballet Theatre (now Orlando Ballet).
It’s with heavy hearts that Boca Ballet Theatre mourns the loss of Russell Sultzbach, longtime ballet master at Southern Ballet Theatre (now Orlando Ballet) and dear friend of BBT’s Co-Artistic Directors Dan Guin and Jane Tyree. Russell became friends with Dan and Jane while they were dancing together at Southern Ballet Theatre. He was instrumental in Boca Ballet Theatre’s early years, choreographing the version of The Nutcracker that we performed in our first four years. When not in the studio, Russell and Dan loved to go fishing together.
Russell was an extraordinary artist, teacher, and mentor whose influence shaped generations of dancers and left a lasting mark on the Central Florida arts community. We honor his legacy and hope you’ll join us in sharing our condolences with his family, friends, and colleagues at Orlando Ballet.
Honoring Russell Sultzbach
A proud Orlando native, Russell began his dance journey with Edith Royal and rose to national prominence as a soloist with the Joffrey Ballet in the 1970s. After an injury ended his performing career, he returned home and became a driving force behind the growth of ballet in Florida.
For 13 years, Russell served as ballet master at Southern Ballet Theatre (now Orlando Ballet), where he not only trained dancers but also choreographed beloved works, including a cherished production of The Nutcracker. His leadership and artistry helped elevate the company to regional acclaim.
In recent years, he continued his work as a passionate teacher and choreographer at the School of Performing Arts in Fern Park, where he collaborated with Patti Watson Walsh to grow the ballet program and inspire the next generation.
As former SBT artistic director Barbara Riggins once shared, “The care of the dancers I just gave to him.” That care and dedication defined his legacy.
Russell is survived by his wife, Phyllis Watson Sultzbach, his son Austin Sultzbach and a wide community of dancers, students, and colleagues who will continue to carry his legacy forward.