Naomi Staley Calvert COLUMBIA Naomi Staley Calvert died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, October 30, 2016. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Stacey, and granddaughter, Ayla, and mourned by her extended family and by generations of dancing students in Columbia and beyond. She was predeceased by her cherished husband, James Montjoy Calvert. Funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 2016, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, with inurnment in the church columbarium. The Rev. Canon Charles Davis Jr. and Dean Timothy Jones will officiate the service. The family will receive friends following the service at the residence of her daughter, Stacey Calvert. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. A native of Columbia, "Miss Naomi" was born on April 16, 1926, the daughter of the late Charles Ryan Staley and Mary Staley. While mathematically it might appear that Miss Naomi was 90 years old, she would much prefer that she be thought of as her "true" age: 39 and holding. For all who knew her, she was elegance and sophistication personified. Thirty-nine suited her well. While a student at Columbia High School, Miss Naomi met her beloved Jimmy, and they married on August 10, 1946. In her early career, Miss Naomi worked as a sports writer for the Aiken newspaper, although it has been hinted that Jimmy might have "ghost written" some of her copy. Of course, Miss Naomi's true calling was as a tap dancing teacher, and for anyone who grew up taking dance in Columbia, the name "Calvert-Brodie" is synonymous with the ultimate in professional dance training. Naomi Calvert and Ann Brodie opened Calvert-Brodie School of Dance in 1961, with Miss Naomi running the "tap side" and Miss Ann in charge of the "ballet side." In its many years of operation, Calvert-Brodie produced an extraordinary number of professional dancers. Simply put, the training was unparalleled nationally, and Calvert-Brodie alumni have had careers in professional dance companies and on Broadway, and have gone on to become outstanding teachers as well. One of the most shining examples of this professionalism is Miss Naomi's own daughter, Stacey, who had an exemplary career as a soloist for the New York City Ballet. Miss Naomi's granddaughter, Ayla, follows in those footsteps as she pursues a professional ballet career, the third generation to follow this artistic path. Miss Naomi was very involved in musical theater in Columbia, both as a performer and as a choreographer. She starred as Mame in "Mame," Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls," and Miss Hannigan in "Annie" among many other roles. She choreographed "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Annie," and "Peter Pan," to name only a few productions. Her legacy of original choreography is still seen today in the annual production of "The Nutcracker." At Calvert-Brodie, Miss Naomi directed the tap ensemble known as the Calvert-Brodie Dancers ("CBs,") a group of dancers who appeared on many stages under her directorship. This group maintains a close knit friendship, and Miss Naomi remained a mentor and friend to all. Dance was paramount to Miss Naomi, and in her later years she returned to teach at the Columbia Music Festival Association, joining her daughter, Stacey, to teach her granddaughter, Ayla, and her classmates in a combined tap and ballet class. Miss Naomi and Jimmy loved spending time at Isle of Palms and in later years at their home in the mountains of North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to offer memorials are encouraged to consider a gift to the Columbia Music Festival Association, 914 Pulaski Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Attn: Naomi Calvert Studio. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.