Sylvia Lynn Messick

Sylvia Lynn Messick, affectionately known to family and friends as Lynn, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2026, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was born on February 25, 1947, in Winston-Salem, where she spent much of her life sharing her remarkable gifts for music, dance, teaching, and service to others.

Lynn was a devoted educator and accomplished musician whose professional life was deeply connected to the arts. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Salem College and began her distinguished career at the North Carolina School of the Arts (now UNCSA) in 1970 as a dance musician.

Over the course of her career, Lynn touched the lives of countless students, dancers, musicians, and fellow artists. In 1991, she became the first Music Director for the School of Dance, a position she held until her retirement in 2011. She accompanied guest artists and major productions, including The Nutcracker, and served as a rehearsal pianist for Agnes de Mille, Gennie Delappe, and Violet Verdi.

Lynn also taught and accompanied dancers through the Fletcher Opera Institute, Festival of NC Dance, NCSA Teacher Learning Lab, NC Governor’s School, and other programs. She shared her love of music and dance during summer programs at UNCSA and Wake Forest Cedar Lakes Dance Camp and continued teaching at UNCSA after her retirement. She was named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers for three consecutive years.

After her retirement from the school of Dance, Lynn continued as an adjunct musician for dance classes, playing a couple of classes per week for a few lucky teachers. Her playing was wonderful and included classical selections as well as standards and current pop tunes. She was instrumental in introducing ballroom dancing to the School of Dance and assisted Ranko Bogosovac in his yearly December ballroom workshops with the students. She demonstrated the partnering work with Ranko and provided helpful guidance in the style and technique of ballroom dance. Lynn loved and excelled at ballroom dancing, competing in numerous prestigious ballroom competitions, shows and performances.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lynn will be remembered for her warmth, dedication, and love for the people and animals in her life. Lynn served as a faithful, effective, and indefatigable volunteer for the Humane Society of Davie County for over a decade, assisting with annual fundraising events, adoption fairs, board meetings, and much more. Of course, her own much beloved pups, Sammy, Star, and Jagger were HSDC adoptees. Lynn’s steady devotion and commitment contributed significantly to the organization’s success.

Lynn is survived by her beloved family: Teresa Lee Messick of Winston-Salem; Sara Messick McGravey of Winston-Salem; and Karen Myers Boone of Cary.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Wella Mae Messick, and her father, William Robert Messick.

Lynn leaves behind a legacy of music, dance, teaching, service, and family. Her extraordinary dedication to the arts enriched the lives of generations of students and performers, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A private memorial service for immediate family will be held at Forsyth Memorial Park, where Lynn will be laid to rest. A celebration of her remarkable life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: UNCSA Foundation, 1533 South Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27127-2738; Salem College Music Department, 601 South Church Street, Winston-Salem, 27101; Humane Society of Davie County, 162 Webb Way, Advance, NC 27006.