On Friday, November 26 the world said goodbye to an amazing woman. Jade was more than just someone that moved to my small town years before I did. More than just the owner of a condo my mom managed. More than just an "artist in the classroom" at my elementary school. She was my guest when I was nominated student of the month by the Sedona Rotary Club in high school. She helped put my sister through Beauty School. But above all, we knew Jade as the dancer that she was.
"Sometimes I'm not sure just where I'd be. But of one thing I am certain; that although I write paint and such, I am, was and will always be a dancer.
Almost seventy years ago, at the age of nine, Jade Geneve began her career as a professional dancer. She went on to become a well known featured dancer, appearing with many of the famous names of her day - Danny Kaye - Ray Bolger - Carman Miranda - Elvis Presley - Frank Sinatra, and many others.
For over two years she was featured as dance soloist on one of tv's top shows, 'Stop The Music', along with guest star appearances on the Ed Sullivan, Milton Beryle, Sid Caesar and Emegine Coco shows, and countless other top t.v. appearances.
After a serious auto accident she was told she would never walk again. She used her extensive training in the field of dance to teach herself not only to walk, but to dance again
In her own healing process she worked at Roosevelt hospital with amputees, at the Havestraw Center for polio victims in New York, with emotionally disturbed children at Bellevue hospital in New York, and at rehab centers for delinquent boys and girls.
In all these areas she worked closely with doctors and therapists and learned much under their guidance. Jade Geneve, along with Dr. Miles in Washington D.C., became well known as the innovators of using dance as therapy.
Later she married her child hood sweetheart and moved to La Jolla California, where she opened La Jolla Dance Center, a very successful studio with high standards and a minimum enrollment of 250 students.
She was truly inspiring, and I will never forget what she has done for my family and I. I know that her talents are of great use where she is.
"Dance is the image and energy of God. His divine creation, His ultimate work of art. And, again I say, you are dance." ~ Jade Geneve
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