In Memoriam: Danielle Marie Santos
- People of SFB
San Francisco Ballet dancer, designer, teacher, and friend
Today, we honor the enduring legacy of Danielle Santos, whose brilliance shone on the War Memorial Opera House stage for a decade as a member of San Francisco Ballet, and whose spirit remains an indelible part of the company.
After a long illness, which she faced with unwavering grace, strength, and dignity, Danielle passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025.
Born on September 6, 1985 with an open heart and free spirit, Danielle pursued a life in ballet and the arts. After moving to New York City to study at the School of American Ballet and then San Francisco Ballet School, she joined San Francisco Ballet in 2004 and was a beloved member of the company until 2012. After her time with SF Ballet, she toured the US with the Broadway production of An American in Paris.
The ballets on today’s program highlight the works that formed the bedrock of Danielle’s career. She first encountered Serenade and Stars and Stripes as a young student in Massachusetts, studying under her longtime teacher Jacqueline Cronsberg and her daughter, former New York City Ballet Soloist and Balanchine repetiteur Sandra Jennings. Sandra remained a committed mentor to Danielle throughout her career, and in a beautiful full-circle moment, she also serves as the stager for all three works on today’s program. For Danielle, these weren’t merely ballets; they were the milestones of her evolution from a gifted student into a seasoned professional.
That early foundation led her to the School of American Ballet and then San Francisco Ballet School, where her talent was so undeniable that, at just 17 years old, she was plucked from the classroom to perform Serenade with San Francisco Ballet on this very stage. Having performed all three of today’s ballets throughout her time with the company, this program serves as a beautiful reflection of her journey from a promising student to a professional who mastered the very works that first inspired her to fly.
A special note must be made of Serenade, a ballet Danielle loved with every fiber of her being. She cherished its music, its sweeping tulle, and the deep spirituality found in the alchemy of Tchaikovsky’s score and Balanchine’s steps. Throughout her career, she mastered many roles in the piece, ready to ‘jump in’ at a moment’s notice (like she did as a student). In Serenade, the focus is the collective power of the ensemble, a sacred calling where a group of women reach toward the beyond as a single, unified sisterhood. In the ballet’s final Elegy, a woman is carried aloft toward the light, signifying an ascension into a higher state. Today, we stand as that collective to honor Danielle’s cosmic spirit and to carry her memory with us, soaring toward that same light.
Danielle was also a passionate teacher who inspired many young dancers through her creativity and encouragement. In addition, she was a gifted designer who created clothing and gowns for dance, evening wear, bridal, and streetwear, as well as costumes for college theater productions.
She had a style all her own, never influenced by a trend or fad. 100% herself. A true original. Impossibly chic, wildly independent (and a little wild), and totally full of life. She lived with rhythm, moved with purpose, and left the world more beautiful than she found it. She’ll be remembered for her iridescent spirit, artistry, and the love she shared so generously with those around her.
Memoriam provided by close friend and former San Francisco Ballet Soloist Garen Scribner
