A Tribute to Toni Pimble

One of our longtime community partners, Helen Reed, shared her thoughts with us on Toni Pimble and the extraordinary impact she has had on Eugene Ballet. In her own words, Helen reflects on Toni’s legacy of leadership, creativity, and the meaningful connections she’s fostered through dance.

I grew up in Chicago, where I was first introduced to ballet. I moved to Eugene 25 years ago, drawn in large part by the incredible diversity in the arts here. One of the first things that delighted me was finding Eugene Ballet, thanks to Toni Pimble.

I’ve always believed the arts define who we are. They’re a core part of our humanity and how we express ourselves. And ballet, in particular, is unique in the way it tells stories through movement. It uses the full range of emotions in a universal language without a single word, which I find remarkable.

For 46 seasons, Toni Pimble has shown her gift for storytelling through dance. Her choreography, the music, the costumes, the props, the set design — every element comes together to bring her vision to life. Because Toni grew up loving dance and was a professional dancer herself, she has a deep understanding of what dancers go through. She knows how much strength, repetition, and determination is required. That experience makes her such a powerful leader for the dancers in her company.

Toni is also a wonderful educator who shares her passion for ballet with others. She’s invited me to rehearsals, which has given me a much greater appreciation for the art form. I’ve always loved classical ballet, and seeing a dancer on pointe express a graceful movement that rises all the way from their toes to their fingertips is something that really moves me. Or watching a lift, when a dancer is raised high above another’s head with such control and elegance. Even the quietest leap that lands without a sound is something I find extraordinary. These moments are beautiful, but they also require incredible physical conditioning and strength.

Toni takes time to do her research, too, and she shares what she learns with others. Before Mowgli, she invited community members and U of O students, including me, to a workshop with Brian McWhorter, conductor of Orchestra Next. He talked about how the music was composed to mimic the jungle and gave the example of a crescendo representing a fern unfurling on the forest floor. That kind of thoughtful connection between music and story is something I’ll never forget.

Speaking of Orchestra Next, I love that Toni works with them so closely. Live music brings something special to each performance, and the collaboration also gives young musicians the opportunity to play with professionals. The same is true for the students at Eugene Ballet Academy, who get the chance to perform on stage with the company. It’s an incredible learning experience for young dancers and musicians alike.

Toni puts her imagination and energy into every part of a production. I recently found out that she even makes costumes.

For Mowgli, she traveled to Washington to shop at an Indian fabric store and created costumes herself. I thought the snake, the monkeys, the tiger, and especially the peacock were some of the most stunning costumes I’ve ever seen. I was amazed when the peacock first stepped on stage with its tail closed, and later opened it into a full fan of feathers. It was absolutely captivating. The monkeys’ costumes were vibrant and shimmery and just fun to watch. And I loved the coral and kelp in The Little Mermaid — so beautiful and creative. The peacock’s headpiece was another standout. Brilliant, really.

Toni has built Eugene Ballet from the ground up. Her passion for dance, her commitment to education, and her dedication to training future artists led her to help create the Midtown Arts Center with her husband Paul Dustrud, which has become such a vital space for the arts in our community.

What stands out to me the most is Toni’s humility. She is never self-promoting. She’s warm, personal, approachable, and welcoming. These qualities draw people to her and have helped her create an environment where everyone involved with the company can grow and thrive together. It’s a place where people feel supported and part of a team.

That’s why I support Eugene Ballet. And that’s why I admire Toni Pimble.

Toni, thank you for the gift you’ve given our community.

Written by Helen Reed