With a career that spanned more than four decades, Gary Geis was a dancer (tapper extraordinaire), choreographer, instructor, artistic director and inspirational mentor for many young dancers. He was one of Ohio's most sought after and respected dance educators and choreographers and built a solid foundation for the art of dance that continues to inspire us today. 

 

Gary began dancing with Miss Kathryn Hass of Springfield at the age of six. After high school he began extensive training in New York City on scholarship with the legendary June Taylor. When June Taylor left the city, he began his training with the Harkness Ballet, again on scholarship. At Harkness, his teachers included the most respected ballet teachers of the era, including Igor Swetzoff, David Howard and Madame Maria Swoboda from Russia.

 

In addition to his ballet training, he studied modern dance with legends Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham, jazz with Matt Mattox and Jaeme Rodgers and tap with Bill Gary and June Taylor.

 

Although he enjoyed performing, it was his remarkable energy and talent as an instructor that caught the eye of his mentors. After only two years studying and training in NYC, he began his professional teaching career in Harlem.

 

In the early 1970's he was invited to St. Thomas to co-direct the Ballet Theatre of the Virgin Islands, where he trained dancers, performed and choreographed for the Company.

 

He returned to the US and began the Gary Geis School of Dance and in 1998 founded the Gary Geis Dance Company.  He served on the faculty of Wittenberg University, Clark State Community College, Wright State University and University of Dayton.