An endowment fund in memory of Anthony Earl Dyer has been established by Cheryle D. Kelley, Anthony’s sister, with the Community Music Center (CMC). 

Anthony taught violin and viola lessons to a great number of students of all ages at the Community Music Center for over 20 years, and performed in many of the Center's faculty concerts to raise money for music scholarships. 

Donations to the fund can be made directly to Community Music Center, 3350 SE Francis Street, Portland OR 97202, www.communitymusiccenter.org. The endowment will support need-based and merit scholarships to students. 

All new gifts to CMC Inc. stipulated as in memory of Anthony Dyer will be contributed to this new endowment unless otherwise requested at the time of donation. For more information, please contact cmc@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-3177.

About Anthony Dyer

Anthony Earl Dyer of Portland Oregon, died on 5/31/2023 from complications following a bone marrow transplant. Anthony was born on Christmas Day, 1964 in New Orleans, LA to Earl Anthony Dyer and Alice Matlock Dyer, both deceased. He was the best Christmas present his older sisters, Cheryle and Karen, would ever receive.

Anthony completed his undergraduate degree in music performance at Cal State Northridge and earned graduate music degrees at the Hartt School of Music and the University of Oregon. He settled in Oregon, first in Eugene and later, Portland. He was a member of the Eugene Symphony Orchestra and had a thriving private violin studio. He also taught violin and viola at Portland's Community Music Center.

In addition to music, Anthony flourished in the Capoeira community. He was a Contra Mestre, the first step to becoming a Mestre or Master, often traveling to support others at festivals and celebrations. Anthony formed lifelong friendships with other players who surrounded him with joy and a sense of family. He relished their company and looked forward to more trips to Brazil, the birthplace of this martial arts practice.

Anthony is survived by his oldest sister, Cheryle D. Kelley (Scott) of Princeville, Hawaii; his nephew, Owen Kelley (Hannah Nestler) and grandnephews Miles and Theo of Cambridge, Mass; and his niece, Dana Kelley, of New York, NY.

He will forever be remembered as a loving, warm and engaging brother, uncle and friend. He left us much too soon.

(Obituary courtesy Legacy.com)