Bruce, Mary, 1900-1995

Mary Bruce; grew up in Chicago, Illinois; studied ballet as a teenager; after seeing a performance of Lew Leslie’s Blackbirds decided to get training in tap and show dancing; opened her own school in Chicago, but left for New York after her sister Sadie started rival school; opened studio on West 125th Street in Harlem; initially sought business by approaching dancers at the Savoy and other ballrooms of Harlem for lessons; Bruce annual “Starbud” recitals, some at Carnegie Hall, were popular aspect of her teaching; students included Martina Arroyo, Marlon Brando, Ruby Dee, and Josephine Premice; died Tuesday [December 12, 1995] at Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island; resident of Manhattan

LeGon grew up with her older sister Mary Belle in Chicago's overcrowded Black Belt; received her first formal training from Mary Bruce's School of Dance

What Happened on August 25, 1900: Mary Bruce, American tap dance teacher, born in Chicago (d. 1995)

Sadie Bruce Glover; after working with her sister, started her own dance school at 5419 S. Calumet Avenue in 1929; at same location through 1985; survived by sister Mary Bruce Johnson

June 8, 1929, pg.6: review of annual recital at Eighth St. Theater;

May 30, 1931, pg. 2: review of Mary Bruce's annual "Classic" at Eighth St. Theater;

June 8, 1935, pg. 6: notice of Miss Mary Bruce's dance classic; photo of Bruce

May 24, 1947, pg. 16: Mary Bruce, noted danseuse visits Chicago enroute West; dance studio in New York at 321 W. 125th Street; annual "Starbuds" show to be given at Carnegie Hall, June 20; past students include Marie Bryant and sister Sadie Bruce

Mary Bruce; operated dance school in Bronzeville; located at 58th and South Parkway