Orlando Dance Community Mourns Beloved Teacher and Choreographer Carolyn Lopez
Orlando, FL — The Orlando arts and dance community is mourning the loss of Carolyn Lopez, a beloved dance teacher and choreographer at More Than Music, whose recent passing has left students, colleagues, and friends heartbroken. Known for her creativity, passion, and unwavering dedication to the art of dance, Carolyn’s influence reached far beyond the studio walls, touching countless lives over the years.
Details surrounding her cause of death have not been publicly released, but the news of her passing has spread quickly among those who knew and admired her. For many, Carolyn was more than an instructor — she was a mentor, a motivator, and a guiding light who inspired her students to dream big and express themselves through movement.
At More Than Music, Carolyn was known for her innovative choreography and her ability to bring out the best in dancers of all ages and skill levels. She had a unique gift for recognizing individual potential and nurturing it with patience, encouragement, and discipline. Her students recall her insistence on excellence paired with her genuine care, often saying she made them feel capable of more than they believed possible.
Colleagues describe her as a team player with an infectious enthusiasm for the performing arts. She was always willing to share her knowledge, offer support, and collaborate on projects that celebrated creativity and community. Her dedication to the craft and to her students was evident in every performance, recital, and rehearsal she led.
Outside of her professional life, Carolyn was known for her kindness, warm smile, and ability to connect deeply with others. Friends and family speak of her generosity, her sense of humor, and the way she made everyone around her feel valued.
Since the news of her passing, an outpouring of tributes has flooded social media, with former students, parents, and fellow artists sharing memories, photos, and messages of gratitude. Many credit her with shaping not just their dance careers, but their confidence and character.
Plans are underway to hold a memorial celebration in her honor, where the community will gather to share stories, honor her legacy, and perhaps even perform in tribute to the woman who inspired so many to find their voice through movement.
Carolyn Lopez’s passing leaves a void in Orlando’s dance and arts community that cannot be filled. However, her legacy will live on in every student she taught, every routine she choreographed, and every life she touched through her art and her heart.