Jean Anderson, Golden Gate Bridge 50th Anniversary

A legend in her own time, Miss Jean Anderson was dance teacher to several generations of San Franciscans, both children and adults. Jean and her sister, Lenore, were both accomplished dancers during the tail end of the vaudeville years. They performed in all known San Francisco venues, including movie theatres, stadiums and hospitals. For many decades the Andersons performed all over town, even in the days when the big downtown movie theatres still had live entertainment. They performed at the Worlds Fair on Treasure Island. They performed in theatres, churches, temples, convalescent homes, schoolrooms, auditoriums and even football stadiums.
Their annual Christmas show was a showcase for students of all ages, and featured all kinds of dancing, from tap to ballet. Lessons for children cost 25 cents and the price stayed the same until the studio closed. She was fascinated by all the different people she met, and she cared about every one of them.
The Anderson Sisters School of Dancing on Sixth Avenue, San Francisco, was beyond description. There were record players representing every era of recorded sound from about 1930 to the present. There were even two pianos! Tap shoes and costumes could be found in various corners of the studio. Jeans style of singing was influenced by the young Judy Garland, and she delivered her lyrics with that same kind of warmth and tenderness. Just like the dance studio, Jean seemed to be from another era. Like some other great ladies, Eleanor Roosevelt and Kitty Carlisle, her hairstyle never changed.
The annual shows were held in Nourse Auditorium, and produced at the expense of the Anderson family and the admission was free. They invited underprivileged families and children with disabilities, many in wheelchairs, some of them unable to talk. The Christmas shows were very long, and every student and graduate was given a chance to shine.
Jeans mother, Irene Anderson, whose mother had been in 19th century show business, sat stage right during the Christmas Show, applying makeup to the toddlers who lined up in their tutus and costumes. Jean, brother Jack and sister Lenore organized the lines of dancers and made sure they made their entrances. Lenore, wearing a beret, played Mister Toymaker, little brother Jack was the jack-in-a-box, and, and Jean played the beautiful mechanical doll that had to be wound up before she could dance. Jack also put on another costume and became Mr. Gingerbread. Jean sang her song Hello, Mister Gingerbread, and they danced a charming duet. The Anderson nephews also played parts.
The students were Chinese, Blacks, Hispanic, Russian, Jewish and Christians alike, all part of the international fabric of San Franciscos Richmond District. The thing they had in common was dance lessons with Miss Jean. Some were second or third generation students. There were dancing brothers and sisters, fathers and daughters, octogenarians and babies that were only a few weeks old. During a Christmas show, Lenore held a newborn baby in her arms at the footlights, exclaiming LOOK, SANTA, ITS ANOTHER MANAIRIS. If you performed for the annual Christmas show, you probably also played a few extra-curricular engagements such as the Sunshine School and perhaps the German Hospital. It was never necessary to twist Jean's arm to convince her to do a show - of any size! The Anderson home on Seventh Avenue was a unique experience. In the front parlor there was a piano, if you could find it, covered with sheet music, records, photos of children and hundreds of holiday cards. The year of the cards was not important, what mattered was the thought behind these cards. The house was filled with love of family and friends. It didnt matter where you were seated in the house: From any chair you could reach out and touch toy dolls, crepe paper, gold lamé, glitter and ribbons of all colors.
When jean mother passed away, everyone was devastated. Its the end of an era, they all said. The memorial service was at Sinai Memorial Chapel on Divisadero Street. Everyone paying tribute had grown up with the Anderson Sisters School of Dancing. To everyones surprise, Miss Jean not only spoke at the service, she SANG one of her mothers songs Let Love Lead the Way in loving memory. No one could believe that Jean, in her grief, had the strength to open her heart in song. The Anderson Sisters and their studio are gone now, but they shall not be forgotten. The interview was conducted in the Anderson Sisters School by KGO-TV's Jack Hanson.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• dance
• school
• children
• pre-school
• Golden
• Gate
• Bridge
• anniversary

[ontherox04]

I took dance lessons from Jean in 1978 for several years. She was a wonderful person and a delight to work with. I have never forgotton her and never will. Thanks for posting this beautiful video.

[girlsinsuede]

a rare gem. those are ivory keys



[califrogg]

Thankyou, thank you a million times for posting this! I've known Jean for over 20 years, though I've never taken a class and can't dance to save my life. Yet Jean was a magical presence in my life, and I was devastated when she passed away. I will never forget you, Jean.

[WillowfanPS]

Wow thanks so much for sharing this. Do you have any more? I had my doll repaired at their doll hospital when I was a little girl...

[Jeannemare]

The dance studio is long gone and replaced by condos. I walked by yesterday and felt some nostalgia. Thank you for posting such jewel. Thank you.

[tapdancegirl88]

i like to see her tap