Amy Schactman, 65, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, at her home in St. Louis, MO, of metastatic cancer. Born on January 1, 1961, in Austin, TX, Amy lived a life defined by expression, artistry, and continuous movement.

A dedicated teacher of dance, yoga, and Pilates, movement was Amy’s native language. She approached life with a “leap with both feet” mindset. Driven by a deep passion to explore and transform, her love for travel, transit, and motion took her across many cities and several countries. Wherever she lived, Amy touched countless lives with her skilled instruction, attentive care, and wickedly witty sense of humor. Capable of filling a room with laughter, she was also a bit of an escape artist, quietly slipping out the door when least expected.

Amy’s lifelong passion for dance began at a young age, heavily influenced by early German dance pioneers. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Dance and Spanish from Washington University in 1988, studying under Annelise Mertz, and went on to complete a graduate program in Dance and Theatre Arts under Bill Evans at the University of New Mexico, earning her Master’s degree in 1990.

Raised in a vibrant family of artists—her father taught figure drawing and painting at Washington University, and her brother was a sculptor and mixed-media artist—Amy embraced experimentation. She created original, organic, thoughtful, and charmingly quirky choreography. She shared her artistry while living in New York City and continued performing and choreographing globally for several decades.

Beyond the stage, Amy was an avid reader, hiker, exercise enthusiast, and lover of animals who adored having a pet curled up beside her. She had a keen eye for design, reflected in her home filled with white and beige tones. Amy savored life’s rich flavors—from Hatch green chiles and authentic limey margaritas to a quiet glass of bubbly Prosecco.

Amy was preceded in death by her mother, Phyllis (nee Skopp) Schactman; her father, Barry Schactman (Ana); her brother, Joe Schactman (Heidi); her aunt, Rhoda Bartels; and her beloved pup, Mac.

She is survived by her niece, Lilly Dancyger (Soomin); her great-nephew, Joseph Dancyger; her uncle, Fr. David Skopp (Elizabeth); and her cousins, Rosy, Karina, and Alia Provino, Jennifer Kurtz, Dena Reiner, and Gregory Skopp.

A memorial service will be held on October 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Red Bud Pavilion in Blackburn Park, located at 421 Edgar Road, Webster Groves, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Amy’s honor may be made to NPR, a local animal rescue organization, a women’s shelter, or a dance company near you.