Minnesota's contemporary dance community has lost a cornerstone with the death of Toni Pierce-Sands, co-founder of TU Dance.

"Toni’s life was dedicated to dance and her deep passion for dance education shaped generations of artists, and will continue to do so," TU Dance wrote in a social media post. "Her gift for bringing people together and creating space for deepening our connections will continue to echo through our work and mission."

The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that Pierce-Sands was 63 and had been battling cancer.

Following her time as a featured soloist with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York, Pierce-Sands co-founded St. Paul-based TU Dance in 2004 and led the organization as its artistic director.

In marking TU Dance's 20th anniversary last year, Pierce-Sa

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