09/24/2026
It is with great sadness that I share this news of the passing of two persons closely associated with DCDC over many years. Mark Cummings passed away suddenly on September 23. Mark was a beloved and inspiring teacher at the Gary Geis School of Dance & Dance Company. Mark was also a company member and a great friend of DCDC – of Jeraldyne and the many dancers he came in contact with. His loving spirit and generous support of the local dance communities will be missed.
Renee Francis passed away on September 14. Renee grew up in DCDC – she was a member of the second company, and an apprentice to the first company. Renee was a skilled and expressive dancer. Additionally, she comes from a family that gave massive support to the company. Her late father, James Francis, was DCDC Board President; her late mother, Melanie, was a member of the DCDC Associates, and had studied with Jeraldyne when she was a child; her aunt, Georgene Dawson, was also a Board President and studied with Jeraldyne. DCDC mourns the passing of both these individuals, and consider ourselves blessed that both Renee and Mark moved through our worlds, making life all the richer with their presence.
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