September 2024 – Local dance legend Wally Dashiell an inspiration to local dancers for over 60 years was a passionate and extraordinary advocate for local dance. Carole knew of Wally and admired her dance work in the community
Just past her 100th birthday, Mrs. Wally Dashiell, of Stevensville, passed away quietly on Aug. 14, surrounded by family and friends while at Compass Hospice in Centreville. An icon in Queen Anne’s County and beyond, Wally’s love of life was contagious. As a dancer and dance instructor, her students knew and loved her well.
Wally was born in the eastern part of Germany. She grew-up in Germany, and learned to dance ballet in her early teens, even though her parents disapproved of her dancing. She excelled as a ballerina, performing even during WWII in Germany. After the war, while living in Berlin, she met U.S. Army Sgt. George Dashiell in a dance hall for American soldiers. She recalled, “I was impressed with George immediately. He was a gentleman, which many of the soldiers were not! We began dating after the initial meeting, and soon we were married.”
The Dashiell’s returned to Cambridge after George was honorably discharged from the military. Wally became a dance instructor while living in Cambridge, starting the Dashiell School of Dancing, in the late 1940s. While beginning her school, Wally was approached by African American parents, asking if she would teach their children ballet? She agreed to do so, but, because segregation was still enforced during the late 40s and early 1950s in Maryland and across the U.S., Wally agreed to teach all children, but had to do it in separate locations.
As the Civil Rights movement progressed, she recalled dance recitals were held at a public school building, and the recitals no longer were held separately. “We had to obey the law,” said Wally. “We then began holding recitals and training sessions together, both Black and white children!
George and Wally moved to historic, downtown Stevensville in the early 1950s, converting the two-story building they bought into their home (upstairs), and dance studio (downstairs).
Wally trained her students to the highest standards of dance, promoted by the national dance organization known as “Dance Master of America”. This organization provides certification for dance instructors. Wally served as an officer for many years with Dance Masters. Many of her students went on to perform at the Kennedy Center each year in the Christmas Season performances of the Nutcracker, as well as performances in New York City along, and on Broadway.
Dr. Carol Thompson, former Superintendent of Schools for Queen Anne’s County Public Schools, and QACPS dance teacher and “2022 Teacher of the Year”, at Kent Island High School, Amber Wright, were both taught ballet by Wally. Thompson said, “Mrs. Dashiell taught me to have confidence and poise, skills I’ve needed throughout my career.” Wright always introduces herself as a “graduate of Dashiell School of Dancing”, and whenever Wally would come to her dance recitals at the high school, she’d introduce her to the audiences.
After teaching at her school for more than 60-years, Wally retired in 2012, at the age of 89, and the school closed.
Wally Dashiell’s celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2, beginning at 1 p.m. It will be held at the Kent Island Elks, Lodge 2576, located at 2525 Romancoke Road, Stevensville, MD, 21666
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Wally’s name to either the Carole Cascio Fund For Mind Movement Dance Connections c/o Chesapeake Charities, 101 Log Canoe Circle, Suite O, Stevensville, Md. 21666 or click here to DONATE online or Bosom Buddies Charities, Inc., P.O. Box 112, Stevensville, Md. 21666. Both are registered 501©3 charities.
