In Memoriam

Tristi Ann McMaster Robinson

Daughter / Dancer / Artist / Wife / Mother / Mentor / Friend

July 21, 1966 – February 19, 2024

Please consider a memorial gift to honor the legacy of Tristi McMaster Robinson, founder and artistic director of The Nutcracker Sweet and PDM Productions for more than a decade.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

All gifts are tax deductible

To view the entire Gala Memorial in honor of Tristi’s life and legacy, please click here.

About Tristi

Tristi Ann McMaster Robinson was a native of Carson City, Nevada where she began her early dance training. She was a dance educator for over 30 years and has had the privilege to teach, coach, choreograph, and direct many different students. As a master teacher, she taught students from ages four to adult across the nation in many different dance styles, but her specialty was Ballet and Pointe. She also coached Gymnastics on recreational and team levels.

She spent 10 years as Co-owner and Director of her own studio. In 1997 she was awarded the OYA (Outstanding Young Women in America) award. She received the RVA 2021 Best Dance Instructor of the Year award, and RVA Best Ballet Choreographer award. Her extensive teaching career stemmed from her work as a professional dancer. She had a very successful career of 25 years performing nationally and internationally. She performed with Milwaukee Ballet Company, Atlanta Ballet Company, Washington Ballet Company, and was a principal dancer with The Richmond Ballet Company. She performed as a guest artist nationally and internationally. Her teaching career began while she was still dancing and her extensive training and experience as a professional, especially a wide variety of syllabus styles, helped mold her into a master dance educator. As an instructor she was passionate about teaching dance and believed in more than just teaching proper technique.

Tristi strived to instill important values, like work ethic, self-discipline, self-control, respect, and time management into her students. She believed in the importance of “always doing your best” and that hard work pays off. Tristi encouraged students to challenge themselves beyond what they think is possible. She was grateful to be able to work with so many students and be inspired by them every day. She was fortunate to know that her work as a dance educator over the last 30 years made an impact. She also loved to sew and design costumes, many still seen today on the stage of her non-profit, PDM (Pilates, Dance and More) in their annual production, The Nutcracker Sweet. She was married to Norvell Robinson Jr. and had 3 beautiful children who were constant reminders of humility, love, joy, patience, and they made her life full.

Please consider a memorial gift to honor the legacy of Tristi McMaster Robinson and help support PDM Productions, The Nutcracker Sweet and our Sponsor the Arts program.

All gifts are tax deductible

Tickets on sale now, with early bird discounted pricing until 11/15! 

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