Elaine Gibbs Redmond History
During the years 1940 through 1955 Elaine received instruction and training in all aspects of the dance medium, as a protégé under the tutelage and guardianship of Viola Gensler, Premier Danseuse and Ballet Mistress of Elliot-Comstock and Shubert Productions.
Traveling extensively abroad in Europe and throughout the United States with Miss Gensler, attending numerous workshops during the years of study, enabled Elaine to acquire an extensive background in the cultural arts, choreography, music appreciation and drama not ordinarily afforded to a black in that day and time.
Elaine began to share these gifts and talents with others and started her own dancing school and studio, while yet in her teens. She achieved much distinction and success in teaching and employed great care in the methods of instruction with special emphasis given to foundation techniques for all types of dance; ballet, toe, tap, social, ballroom, among others.
She conducted the Patricia-Leah Dance Studio and the Elaine Gibbs School of the Dance, at her parent’s home. She also at taught at Cory Methodist Church, and two other locations, 13910 Union Avenue, and 16500 Scottsdale Avenue. Her concerts were considered the highlight of the social season. She retired from studio work in 1976.
Miss Gibbs Redmond was the “go-to” teacher for African American students from all over the city of Cleveland, and has left a vibrant legacy of dancers in and out of the Cleveland area.
It is important to note that Cory United Methodist Church in Cleveland, where Gibbs taught, was a historically black church visited by such luminaries as Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcom X, actor Paul Robeson and dancer Janet Collins, among others.
Elaine had the pleasure of seeing the fruit of her work in some of the most outstanding artists of today’s theater arts, among them Dianne McIntyre (N.Y.C. Sounds and Motions Dance Company); Anthony Bass (Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe); Aleen Luster, Teacher of Dance in Detroit, Michigan and Adenike Sharpley, recently retired Africana Studies Artist-in-Residence, at Oberlin College and founder of Dance Disapora Company
During this same period, as a private teacher and choreographer, Elaine taught briefly at the Music Settlement; was a member of the Philharmonic Glee Club; was employed as a Staff Member of the Performing Arts Department of Phyllis Wheatly Association; worked as a dance teacher for the Division of Recreation of the Cleveland Board of Education; and in association with Karamu House as a dance, actress and choreographer.
Elaine retired due to her husband’s failing health.
She returned to the City of Cleveland’s Division of Recreation as an assistant Manager of the Bureau of Cultural Arts during the summer of 1990-1991. She could not return for the 1992-1993 summer due to the passing of her husband.
Elaine was active on the Mayor’s Committee for Seniors – Shaker Heights, Ohio and a committee member of Cultural Arts Program.
Elaine has been a long time resident of Shaker Heights for over 30 years.
Milestones
- 1928
- Elaine Gibbs Redmond born
- 1946
- Graduated Collinwood High School
- 1940–1955
- Viola Gensler School of Ballet
- New York City School of Dance
- Royal Academy of Dance – London, England
- Rose Morgan School of Dance – New York
- Chautauqua Lake (Dance Workshops), Upper State New York
- 1950’s
- Elaine conducted the Patricia-Leah Dance Studios and the Elaine Gibbs School of the Dance, at her parent’s home, at Cory Methodist Church, and two other locations, 13910 Union Avenue, and 16500 Scottsdale Avenue. Her concerts were considered the highlight of the social season. She retired from studio work in 1976.
- 1965-89
- Began working for the City of Cleveland – Division of Cleveland
- 1965
- Director of Recreation
- 1970
- Supervisor of Recreation
- 1982
- Assistant Manager of Recreation
- 1983
- Acting Manager of Recreation
- 1984
- Recreation Center Manager
- 1986
- Manager, Bureau of Cultural Arts
- 1990-1991
- She returned to the City of Cleveland’s Division of Recreation as an assistant Manager of the Bureau of Cultural Arts.
- 1994
- She was active on the Mayor’s Committee for Seniors – Shaker Heights, Ohio and a committee member of Cultural Arts Program.