Mary Hyatt Dance Studio

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Mary Hyatt Dance Studio

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SeeDavid 80 posts Nov 28, 2008 4:45 PM	Does anyone remember the Mary Hyatt Dance Stuido? I feel as if it were located in the downtown Dayton area. It was in the early 60's....we wore black dance outfits with white leotards. The black skirt outfits had an embroidered H on the shoulder area. Those were wonderful memories for me, and I hope someone else has those as well. I do remember our recitals at Memorial Hall. it seems that the cost of the lessons were $1.00 per lesson. Does anyone remember? Thank you Cindi
SeeDavid 245 posts May 30, 2009 8:15 AM	After all these years...Mikey from Gatlinburg gave me the answer to this question and I was RIGHT!! Mary Hyatt was the sister of Jean Hyatt and Jean had a dance studio on N Main and Mary had one at Jefferson and Wilkinson. Mikey from Gatlinburg remembered it being upstairs and everthing!!!! I knew that I took dance lessons there for years and my Dad would drop me off even as a 5 year old and on up in life. It had a M H embriodered on the little satin tutu skirt. We had our recitals at Memorial Hall. Mikey told me that she and Jean were big time dancers in New York, perhaps on Broadway. I wish I could dance agaain. Too old,,,,but great memories. Thanks Mikey, and all my friends, including Tlturbo and Vicki. Now I am complete and no more Dayton history for me. Bye folks. ~Cindi ** Editorial note: I was merely being a smarty pants, as no one believed that there was a Mary Hyatt Studio downtown, and for two years on this thing I have even come in under assumed names and asked. Nada, except for Tlturbo's gal and she and I know one another (small world, huh?) and decided earlier on that this was not the same one she went to. After finding that my childhood dreams and also 9 years of my little life were not wasted and my memories of walking and dancing were not a dream, Mikey fixed it for me. THANK YOU MIKEY. Thanks everyone who did this for me. It was a wonderful time in my life and childhood. I could trip the light fantastic, too folks...now no way, no toe shoes and certainly no Memorial Hall. Good memories, huh, Vic? The boys on here will never admit that they were our little dance partners, so it's us. Thank you for the one memory that meant so much to me, as do all of the Dayton Memories. ~Cindi Last Edited by on Jun 11, 2009 10:27 PM
Mikey 21 posts Jun 09, 2009 10:48 AM	I think that in later years, Jean and Mary merged their studios. My sister took lessons from Jean from age five to age fourteen. Jean ended her studio spring recitals by performing a solo dance. She (my sister) was pretty good. My grandmother's sister, Gladys Morris, single handedly made almost all of the costumes for the Jean Hyatt reviews in her little two-room block house on Morse Ave. in Belmont. I remember the reviews being staged in many places. The two most frequent being Memorial Hall and the Art Institute theater. ---------- Mikey, Gatlinburg, TN Last Edited by on Sep 05, 2012 9:31 PM
tlturbo 111 posts Jun 09, 2009 11:26 AM	I just ran all of this by Vicki and she gave me some info she remembers but won't swear to it. Vicki took from Jean Hyatt from about 1956 until 1969-70. She said Carol Jean Krum (maiden name) took over Jeans studio after Jean died. Milt, her husband, and their kids lived in the house where the studio was. Vicki said her mom made a lot of the costumes for the stuff she was in. Vicki talked to Jean's daughter Terri Paskin up until a few years ago - she lived outside Orlando. Vicki had told me a story where she had broken a toe dancing and Stan, her partner, was carrying her down the front steps of the studio to the car and tripped, dropped her and she broke another toe. Vicki also knew Sheila Phillips (went to NY) became a Rockette and Vicki went up and studied in NY with her a few times. ALso remembers a guy named Corky in Beavercreek (lived down the street) who left to go to Jean Taylor (Jackie Gleason show). Vicki said alot of people she danced with ended up becoming professional dancers. Mikey - Vicki wanted to know when you graduated HS in W Carrollton so she can see if you guys are the same age. If so she probably knew you. I also know a few West C alumni. e-mail in profile Terry
SeeDavid 255 posts Jun 09, 2009 2:31 PM	Terry, Mikey is a '63/64 grad. Tell Vick..good memory...and hi. Talk soon!!!
Mikey 27 posts Jun 25, 2009 6:58 AM	1960, Go Pirates! (never happen) If memory hasn't gone completely astray, I believe that Carol Krumm was a student of Jean's during the 50s when my sister studied at the N. Main St. Studio. ---------- Mikey, Gatlinburg, TN Last Edited by on Jun 25, 2009 12:39 PM
SeeDavid 281 posts Jun 26, 2009 7:04 AM	Mikey - 1960? I should have figured, huh? Go Pirates and take the Avitors with you, huh? He he he ...more about dancin' and the broadway stars of Dayton. ~Cindi
maustin 1 post Aug 17, 2009 8:12 AM	My sister Michelle and I took dance lessons from Mary from around 1979 to 1990.... Her studio was on Main street.... there was a Master's Pizza on the corner.. and The Upper Krust was near by... Her studio was in the Santa Clara District.... And we had our recitals at the Convention Center and they were always on Mothers Day... At Mary's studio her mother would sit at a big metal desk in the waiting room.... I loved taking dance there.... one of the best memories I have growing up!!!!
Mimi 1 post Sep 13, 2009 5:54 PM	Oh my gosh, I have been searching the web for any info on Jean Hyatt. I lived 4 houses away on Main st. from Jean's home and studio in 1950's. I tool lessons for about 8 or 9 years. I wondered what happened to Terri and Denise. Iused to walk Terri to school (Van Cleve) as I was a couple years older and Jean would give me a quarter and a big glass of orange juice. They would take me to a lot of places with Terri and I felt so special as it was a wonderful time in my life. I think Jean died in 1965 or so as I was still in high school. I remember Carol Jean Krumm and I remember Mary and Terri's grandparents. Corky's sister was in my class. I thought the recitals were magic. Iremember when Jean would come out in a beautiful long gown at the end and they would bring her long stemmed roses. I have loved this site, just came across it 3 days ago. Linda
tlturbo 152 posts Sep 14, 2009 4:54 AM	According to Vicki (Vicki Hodson back then), Terri lives in Polk Co, FL - she and Vicki talked a few years ago. She doesn't know where Denise is but the last time she talked to Terri, Terri said Denise was doing fine. Corky lived down the street from Vicki on Fudge Dr in Beavercreek. Vicki said she found Terri on Classmates.com but MIGHT have her work e-mail address. A few years ago she worked for Polk County but Vicki doesn't remember her married name. Last Edited by on Sep 14, 2009 4:57 AM
Martha Hardcastle 12 posts Jan 03, 2011 9:01 PM	I never took from the Hiatts, but if memory serves, their dance/drill team was called the Hiatt-ettes and they were a step lower than those on Miller's Blackhawks. But I honestly don't have a dog in this fight ; )
CHARMS61 5 posts Oct 27, 2011 11:18 PM	I took dance lessons from Mary Hiatt...when her studio was in downtown Dayton across from the Greyhound Bus Station...next door to Frisch's...1959ish !
pat68 1 post Dec 22, 2011 8:39 PM	I remember the Mary Hiatt Dance Studio very well! I took lessons there for 14 years, from 1954 until 1968. It was on Wilkinson Street two buildings down from the Greyhound Bus Station toward Monument Ave. Frisch's was down on the other side of Wilkinson, I believe on First Street. I was also a "student teacher" who gave make up lessons when students missed their lessons. I was on the kick line - The Hiatt-Teens - and in the baton drill team, The Hiatt-ettes, both for many years. I have many fond memories of spending much of my childhood there. I took ballet, toe, tap, modern jazz, baton, hula, toe-tap and acrobatics. If there are any other girls (or guys) who took lessons with me, I would love to hear from you. Most of our recitals were at Memorial Hall, once at Hara Ballarina, and eventually moved to Chaminade High School. We also danced each year for various organizations. I even remember dancing at the RKO Theatre - probably in 1955 or 1956. Mary was a wonderful teacher! Last Edited by on Dec 22, 2011 8:41 PM
Peanut 1 post Mar 10, 2012 11:34 AM	I too spent many years dancing at the Mary Hiatt studio, starting at the Wilkinson studio. As a matter of fact, I danced 34 years with Mary. Jean and Mary did not combine studios, however when Jean quit teaching due to illness many of her students came to dance with Mary. Jean died of breast cancer, and left her two daughters, Terri and Denise. Mrs. Neva Hiatt was their mother, and Mary's receptionist. She spent hours, knitting, sewing costumes and creating needpoint items at her desk. Mary was deeply devoted to her mother. Approximately the last 29 years of Neva's life was spent in a nursing home, the last 19 years or so were spent at the Masonic Home in Springfield. She died in 2006 at the age of 104. She was buried beside her husband, James and her daugher, Jean at Woodland Cemetery. Mary's husband, George, was always involved in the dance recitals as well. He was a wonderful artist, who contributed many times to the scenery and extras for Mary's recital presentations. He is the one who drew the "Smile" picture in the studio (The wolf on one side, looking at the bunny in the MH costume on the other). He always performed the duties of announcer and presented all awards to those with extended training with Mary. His office was located above the studio on Wilkinson St, and he would visit with Mary before she began dancing each day. He would pick Mary up most evenings when the school was closed, and bring their white poodle, Pierre. It was apparent to all that George loved Mary deeply, and they would still flirt with each other until his passing. George underwent open heart surgery for a valve replacement on May 11, 2011. He had a difficult rehab following this surgery and died due to blunt force head trauma in August 2011. He too was buried at Woodland cemetary at the family plot. Mary suffers from end stages of Alzheimer's, for which she has had a diagnosis for over 10 years. She lives in a nursing home in Oakwood. She doesn't say my name any longer, but sometimes she says things that are very much reminescent of the "old" Mary. I loved Mary dearly, and I belived she loved me too! The dance school was truly the best times of my life. Upon the passing of George, I sought and obtained Guardianship over Mary. I look in on her often (several times a week) and see to it her needs are well met. I recently placed her under Hospice care due to the fraility of her condition. I miss my friend George! I miss our intellectual conversations! I miss eating at MCL with him. He had come to reply upon me in the later years of his life. I lived close and was happy to do that for him. When the day comes that I too shall pass, I will be laid to rest beside Mrs. Hiatt in the family plot. George wanted to keep me close. If anyone would like to talk about any related to Mary, please write to my e-mail at Jane.bidwell@hotmail.com Jane Bidwell If anyone
denise paskin 3 posts Sep 01, 2012 9:45 PM	my name is denise paskin i was mary neice and jean daughter and i took dancing at both places i miss those days very much and i loved them both very much
denise paskin 4 posts Sep 03, 2012 9:28 AM	denise paskin my web adress deniseddtd@yahoo.com in case any want to contact me or share more there thought denise paskin
icsalum 82 posts Sep 06, 2012 6:34 PM	I noticed in the Dayton daily News Obituaries today, that Mary Hiatt had passed away yesterday. There is a very nice picture of Mary, and a profile of her dancing carrer. The obituary mentions her sister Jean. Mary sounds like a very nice and accomplished woman.
SeeDavid 387 posts Sep 08, 2012 7:47 AM	I am so sad to see that Mary Hiatt passed. I had her for dance for many years as a child and a teen. She taught me the one thing I loved in life more than my family ... dance. I haven't been able to dance for awhile, but she certainly is floating with those toes pointed as a ballerina angel. I remember the warm up she gave our legs when I was just five: "Point your toes like a ballerina," "Now, bring your feet up, and wiggle your toes like a clown's foot." I used those exercises to teach my toddler daughter who was handicapped how to stretch her tendons. Thank you Mary, for life long lessons, love of dance and a way to make a little girl want to walk. Godspeed ~ Cindi
DaytonBorn78 1 post Apr 14, 2015 6:46 PM	For years Mary has been in the back of my mind. Every time I ride up Main St. I remember the days in the 80's my mom would drop my sister and I off at dance class. I always wondered if she was still around and may have tried to search online once before but, turned up no results. I'm sitting here tonight with my daughter who is very interested in dance and gymnastics watching Dance Moms (so glad my dance teacher was not like this lady). My heart is saddened to learn that she has succumbed to Alzheimer's. I am honored to have had the opportunity to learn dance from her. My sister and I took ballet, jazz, tap and gymnastics. I can remember several performances at the Dayton Convention Center (I wonder if my mom can find any of the old VHS tapes) I know she still has the picture of my sister and I in our red costumes (I believe that was the year that it was just the two of us on stage [No I just remembered that year was a tap routine and we had red and white costumes]). I remember the California raisin jazz routine, the scarecrow gymnastics routine, I believe the costume for one of our tap routines were white with green trim. I'm holding back tears as I type this post, I guess I still have that child-like naivete (I guess in my mind she would live forever, the 80's were just around the corner). If anyone happens to come by this and reads it, let me know if you know of any good dance studios in Dayton or surrounding areas (I mean good experienced and student focused).

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