09/21/2026
💜 IN LOVING MEMORY OF AALAYAH JONES 💜
It is with the deepest sadness that I share the passing of one of Crystal’s World of Dance’s beloved former dancers, Aalayah Jones
Aalayah was a student at Crystal’s World of Dance for 13 years. For more than a decade, she was part of our CWOD family, and her presence, beautiful spirit, and biggest, brightest smile will forever be a part of our story.
Aalayah LOVED to dance. African Dance was definitely one of her favorites. Every year, she looked forward to traveling with us to Tallahassee and Miami for the Florida African Dance Festival.
Through our CWOD Spring Break trips, Aalayah experienced so many firsts. She took her first flight to Washington, D.C., where we visited the White House and the Washington Ballet. She experienced her first cruise with Crystal’s World of Dance. She performed with CWOD at Disney for the first time and was part of The Chocolate Nutcracker, Claire and the Chocolate Nutcracker, and The Crystal Nutcracker.
During her senior year, Aalayah was beautifully featured as the African Queen in The Crystal Nutcracker, a role that will forever hold a special place in the history of our production and in my heart.
Aalayah battled Sickle Cell and pulmonary hypertension, but her illness never took away her love for dance. Whenever she had an opportunity to perform, she gave it her heart. She loved dancing. She loved performing. And she loved her CWOD family.
Her journey with us was so much more than dance. We watched her grow, travel, experience new things, make memories, and become the beautiful young woman she was.
Aalayah will be deeply missed, but she will NEVER be forgotten. Her smile, her spirit, her love for dance, and the memories she created with us will live on forever.
💜 NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE CWOD FAMILY TO COME TOGETHER. 💜
In honor of Aalayah, I am asking all current and former Crystal’s World of Dance dancers, families, staff, and friends who are able to attend the funeral to please wear PURPLE. 💜
Let’s show Aalayah family just how much she was loved and remind them that her CWOD family is standing beside them.
To all former dancers and CWOD families: if Aalayah touched your life, danced beside you, traveled with you, or created a memory with you, please come and help us celebrate her life.
Rest peacefully, Aalayah
Keep dancing among the angels. 💜🕊️
You will forever be a part of the Crystal’s World of Dance family.
