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March 28, 2007
Vilma Ebsen, a professional dancer and longtime director of the Ebsen School of Dancing in Pacific Palisades, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 12. She was 96.
Born on February 1, 1911, in Belleville, Illinois, Vilma Marie Ebsen moved with her family in 1917 to Florida, where her father Christian Ludolf established the first Ebsen School of Dancing.
Before graduation from high school in 1928, Vilma, who had been schooled along the way by her father, was asked to be director of the dance department of Rollins College in Orlando.
A year later, her brother the song-and-dance-man and actor Buddy Ebsen, asked Vilma to join him in New York, where they danced as a team and caught the attention of Walter Winchell. They appeared in the Broadway shows, 'Flying Colors' and Ziegfield Follies of 1934, as well as the film 'Broadway Melodies,' in 1936.
During this time, Vilma met piano player and soon to be musical conductor Robert Emmett Dolan 'across the footlights' of one theater the Ebsens were playing. When the couple was married and had their first son, Robert Emmett Dolan Jr. in 1939, the Buddy-Vilma act was over.
Dolan Sr. followed film composer job offers to Hollywood, while Vlma waited until Bobby Jr. was old enough to travel and then went to California to join him in 1941.
They lived on Napoli drive overlooking the Riviera golf course.
A year later, with World War II in progress, the family rented 'The Italian House' at 15045 Altata Dr. from Arthur Loomis of the Santa Monica Land and Water Company. Brother Buddy Ebsen lived 'next door' at 15015 Altata--there were only vacant lots in between. When Arthur Loomis sold the Italian House and Buddy went into the U.S. Coast Guard, Vilma and family bought Buddy's house and moved down the block.
During this time, Vilma and her sister Helga started the Ebsen School of Dancing in Pacific Palisades. The first classes were held in the 'Scout House' next to the Presbyterian Church on Via de la Paz. For a brief time, the dancing school moved to 18th Street & Montana in Santa Monica. The school returned to the Palisades after World War II when Vilma and Helga became original tenants of the Lee Building on Antioch. Other tenants in the Lee Building at that time included a 5&10-cent store, Colvey's, and Vince's barbershop.
By 1946, Vilma's marriage to Robert Emmett Dolan was foundering. Following their divorce, Vilma devoted her efforts to the dancing school. The school caught the attention of Palisadians Peter and Habe Stackpole. Peter was a noted Time/Life photographer. Habe, a photographer in her own right, decided to shoot a photo-article featuring the Ebsen School of Dancing. This article made the cover of Life on July 26, 1948. At the dancing school, fall enrollment tripled.
In the spring of 1948, Vilma married Stanley Morris Briggs, an inventor and professional tennis player. Their son, Michael, was born in May of the following year.
In 1951, St. Mathew's School and Parish were moving from their location at the corner of Swarthmore and La Cruz to their current location on Bienveneda. They were actually moving the church, but it was impractical to move the classroom building. They offered Vilma a chance to buy the classroom building and move her dancing school there.
In 1952, Vilma, now single again, sold her house on Altata and moved, with her two sons and her sister Helga, into the former church office area attached to the classroom building she had purchased. Vilma and The Ebsen School of Dancing would continue to teach children at that location for the next 45 years.
Vilma's life at the dancing school, over the decades, was varied, artistic, and rewarding, if not necessarily enriching. Proceeds from annual recitals, held at Barnum Hall, Royce Hall, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and other venues, went to community projects in Pacific Palisades. Children and community came first. She believed the business would work out one way or another.
When the Village School finally took over the former St. Mathew's classroom in the mid- 1990s, Vilma continued to teach--moving to space generously provided by Janet Adderley, owner of The Adderley School for the Performing Arts in the Palisades Highlands. When asked why she gave Vilma the space, Janet said simply, 'Vilma has already paid her dues.' Vilma finally retired from teaching in 1997, at the age of 86.
For over 50 years, from 1943 through 1997, Vilma's primary focus was teaching dancing to children. In memory of Vilma Ebsen, and in lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Music Center of Los Angeles County. The use of this gift will be restricted to dance programming for children, teachers, and families, including performances and educational services.
Please send donations to: Annette Simons, Director of Institutional Giving, Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Vilma did not wish to have a 'memorial' service held for her. Instead, she asked that her two sons throw a party for friends and family to celebrate her life. Persons interested in attending or to be notified about a future gathering in her honor should call (805) 208-2554 for more details.
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