David you are missed.
Such great  times we had listening to Joni Mitchell, David Bowie hitting that bamboo bong.  You were always happy and gay. Authentic to yourself.
I will always admire that about you. RIP.
Tony Villodas 

Dearest David,
We were friends when we were both  teenagers. I loved hanging out with you and Debbie at the pool, dancing in the den , walking around the block of your grandmother’s house.
I remeber when you told me that you wanted to be a ballet instructor. It sounded just right.
You, Debbie, your family are an important part of the fabric of my childhood.
I will see you in heaven one day.
My sympathy to Debbie, Victor and Margaret.
Love Charlotte

I first met David at the Old Plantation, I was 18. He always had such presence, humor, mirth, and air of elevated confidence. 
 Being pretty much a Tom Boy, and meeting David, I actually thought about polishing off my rough edges. I asked him, 
 '' David, do you think I should take ballet?''
His answr: ''No, YOU DON'T HAVE TO, IF YOU WANT TO WALK AROUND LIKE A KLUTZ FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!"
I still laugh about that to this day, I took the ballet classes and realize, the toughest sport, was no comparison to the discipline it takes to be a dancer!!. 
 David you will always be a blessing to so very very many!! Thank you for gracing us with your wonderful self!!  Just click your heels together three times, dear beloved friend, and you will be home!!  Forever  in our hearts!! Love Jeri Hallberg

I did not find out about the gathering  for David in the afternoon at the studio until that evening.  My daughter Lisa was reluctant to tell me until then. 
I was at every class for my daughter from age 4  until she drove and even then many.  I loved sitting in the waiting area on the chairs and sofa with all the pillows watching the girls and listening to David. It was one of my very favorite things to do. 
He always emphasized their deportment as young ladies. They were only allowed street clothing outside and never ballet attire. There was  respect for the art. 
David taught the girls aesthetics through the love of dance. He poured his heart and soul into the classes and recitals. It was a special era for my daughter and me. 
I loved being a backstage mom, feeling the excitement of performing and preparing in the dressing rooms, and being part of the fantastic audience of family and friends. 
David was soo talented finding just the right music, which he always started with, then developing the theme, choreography and marvelous costumes❤️‼️ 
I remember he never watched the performances, always backstage somewhere. 
I learned about love and dedication from David. My daughter and I will always love and miss him dearly. David was a big part of our lives together. 

Where do I even start off this news hits close to my heart. My family has known the Duran family for many years. I myself Yazmin Ayub  danced ballet with David since I was a little girl Iam now 29 yrs old, I will forever take his discipline with me. One of the finest people Ive met so sad to hear this news heaven gained an Angel ❤️🙏🏼 . 

I was saddened to hear of the passing of David.
My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
As a former dancer and ballet director, I always admired his dance recitals. David had a unique gift for creating magical illusions for his stage productions.
He had a great passion for teaching students and his dancers will follow in his footsteps.
His legacy will always remain a part of the ballet world he was devoted to.


I am sad to hear of David’s passing. He was a part of my childhood and he is part of my beautiful childhood  memories that I treasure forever close to my heart.   I am blessed to have been in his classes and taught by such a talented dancer.  May you be dancing with the angels David... 🌷

Sweet dreams my dear man, you thought me to love, live, and laugh.  You pushed me away so I could fly, and I have had a wonderful life. I will always love you, as I know you did me.  My deepest condolences to Punky, Debbie, and Victor, and the entire family. I remember you all, and am keeping you in my prayers. 

I danced with David from age four to sixteen years old. To me, the most important lesson that he left behind was the ability to  impart grace, poise, and confidence into his dancers. These are the skills that turn young men and women into dignified adults. He was a pioneer in the ballet world, accepting dancers of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds, while always challenging students to realize their true dancing potential.  The Ballet Centre was a studio, but even more than that, it was a community. A place to create friendships through a shared love of ballet. I am honored to have shared these memories, and I will always cherish my times with David and the Ballet Centre.  

Nuestro más sentido pésame a la familia de Mr Duran. El tenía una paciencia y una manera especial para tocar el corazón de sus alumnos... Disfrutamos cada clase y cada historia que nos compartió en ellas. Ha dejado en mis hijos, mi esposo y en mi lindas memorias. Quisiera que esto llegara a sus familiares y decirles que así como a mis hijos Mr Duran dejo huella en muchas generaciones más y estoy segura que siempre lo tendrán en su corazón. Dios los bendiga y les de pronta resignación. Gracias por todo! Descanse en paz 🙏🏻💕 

Mi más sentido pésame para la familia de Mr Duran siempre lo vamos a recordar.
Muchas gracias por ser el maestro de mi niña Maya y por la paciencia Ke les tenía a todas sus alumnas Ke Dios lo reciba  en su reino siempre lo vamos a extrañar y recordar con mucho cariño.

Dearest Mr. David, Angelee and I are heartbroken. You were a huge part of our lives since Angelee was literally a baby , age 3. We know for a fact Angelee would not be the same graceful , dedicated and well disciplined young woman without your consistent and much appreciated role in her life. You taught her the basics , not only of classical ballet , but you  imparted a love for the art of dance. Your passion and love for ballet filled her heart with the same respect and awe as a dancer 🩰 You will be missed dearly and you will never leave our hearts . The memories are abundant , from daily difficult classes to magical recitals ! RIP Mr. David , you are loved . 

Deepest sympathy and condolences to the Duran family. Our prayers are with you during your bereavement. Thank you for sharing David with El Paso. He touched countless lives  and his legacy lives on through those lives 🙏

He was such a loving and caring teacher. He would take the time to pull you aside and talk and encourage you. Sometimes he knew the inadequate feelings/ insecurities I had before I recognized them myself. Years later I went off to college In San Diego and for fun took a ballet class to stay in shape: The instructor at SDSU approached me after the first class and asked when/where I had taken classes. He was so impressed with my technique. David was not only caring, he was a first class top notch ballet instructor. A cut above. 


I am so sad to hear of Davids passing. I had been meaning to go by his studio and surprise him:(  He was a huge part of my childhood and young adult life. Always a loving, kind, and supportive ballet teacher. He always encouraged me over the years and I am forever grateful to him for that. I am so lucky to have known him and I truly hope he knew how much his students loved him.

I love you David. Thank you for everything <3

David was such an integral part of my childhood...such a wonderful, kind, patient and beloved ballet teacher. He was a charismatic dancer and performer with Ballet El Paso and inspired many of us to pursue our love of dance. I'm so very grateful to have known such a beautiful, talented, encouraging person. I love you David. Blessings and prayers to his family.

I am so very sad to hear about the passing of beloved David. David and I were dear friends for many years in El Paso. He taught my 2 daughters classic ballet and I have never met a teacher more devoted, kind, patient and committed to his art. He had a profound influence of my daughter Faith, on me, and my family. I helped him move his studio to capture his dream and In the process, he had a long standing friendship with my parents. We loved and adored him and thought there was no better artist in El Paso than him. I send my deepest condolences to the Duran family and to all of David’s students and their  parents. He will be greatly missed. I hope to see him one fine day and give him a hug and see the twinkle in his eyes again. Love you David. Always. ❤️

Sweet David, my memories  include those with Reese and Tommy. You all were so gregarious and fun loving with such a light look on trivial s of every day living . I have not seen you for to long but your memory was ever close to my heart,
 Dance with the Angels my friend, say hello to everyone for us still here and we’ll see you on the other side ❤️🙏

David Duran was an exceptional dance professor at The Ballet Centre.  I remember going to class and getting the privilege to receive his corrections and to witness the growth of so many dancers, including myself. From the studio, I met many girls that will forever be my role models, and we, as dancers, will keep his legacy alive. He taught me grace and established my discipline through his teachings, and I will be forever grateful. May he rest in peace.

Of the numerous ballet instructors I have had throughout my life from across the nation, not one has come close to the teacher and person Mr. David embodied. David was not only a phenomenal dancer, performer, and teacher of classical ballet, he was also a great teacher of life, and taught me a whole lot of it through the art of ballet. David has played a significant role in shaping me into the young adult I am today by guiding me as a young girl to understand the value of discipline, dedication, commitment, and love for the arts. My takeaway from each and every ballet class with David was not only a thorough understanding of ballet technique, but also a deeper understanding and appreciation for a more profound dimension of ballet that is applicable to many other aspects of life; ultimately, these contributions I received from him truly guided me to the person I am today. David lived a life doing what he loved most, and I am forever grateful for the role he played in my life. May he Rest In Peace. 

OBITUARY

David Alejandro Duran

August 6, 1958 – May 14, 2020

Funeraria Del Angel Hillcrest West

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