GRIES, Beverly Ann (Miss Bev)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ February 3, 2009 Beverly Anne "Miss Bev" (Anderson) Gries of Show Low died Jan. 28, 2009, in Lakeside. Bev survived breast cancer in 2000 and received the devastating news that the cancer had returned in May. After a courageous and graceful eight-month battle she received her "heavenly wings" with her loving family by her side. She was born Jan. 6, 1954, in Waynesville, Mo., to Bob Anderson and Catherine Anderson-Turner. Bev began dancing at the age of 3 and by the age of 10, while in Albuquerque, N.M., began her serious formal training in Vaganova Classical Ballet from Anne Boutwell and Russian defector Nina Coppella. After graduating with honors from Sandia High School in Albuquerque in 1972, Bev auditioned for acceptance into the dance department at ASU. She was one of the 25 freshman to be accepted, out of several hundred, and one of 12 freshman whose talent placed them in the "Performing Arts" Division. While at ASU, Bev had the opportunity to study with Dr. Beth Lessard, Mary Moe Adams with the Royal Academy of Dance, Paul Sanasardo, The Alwin Ailey Dance Company, Martha Graham's Dance Academy and Bill Evan's Dance Company, to name a few. She also enjoyed going to summer dance workshops in Steamboat Springs, BYU and Sundance Theater. She was a member of the University Dance Theater for three years, which gave her the opportunity to tour the Southwest. Bev was also proud to have performed in theatrical presentations of West Side Story, The King and I, Show Boat and The Wizard of Oz. Bev graduated with a BFA and PAD and also earned master certifications in dance instruction and choreography from ASU in 1977. At the age of 26, Bev owned and operated a studio in Tucson. With a dream of bringing a professional quality of the dance arts to rural Arizona in 1989, Bev opened a small studio with only 45 students in downtown Show Low. Though the beginnings were humble, The Dance Academy has grown and presently has a 5,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility and approximately 400 students. Several Dance Academy alumni are currently pursuing careers in the dance industry. She was the current president of the Arts Alliance of the White Mountains and the founder and artistic director of Mountain Dream Dance Company. A pillar of strength, many will remember her coming to her last dance recital in a wheelchair less than 24 hours after surgery from having a rod put in her leg due to the cancer. Many had the honor of performing with Bev in her last production of "The Nutcracker" last December. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives have been touched by "Miss Bev." Her lifelong passion for dance is only surpassed by the love she had for her family. Her husband, Larry of Show Low; children Nick Quiroz of Flagstaff, Crystal (Ryan) Hall of Show Low, Syra and Johnny Dale of Show Low; grandson Ryan Nicholas Hall Jr.; parents Ed and Cathy Turner of Lakeside; brother Stuart (Kathy) Anderson Jr. of Tucson; sister Kimberly (Jeff) Jensen; nephew Garrett and niece Brooke from Glendale - all of whom were the "wind beneath her wings." She was predeceased by her father Bob Anderson. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mountain Dream Dance Company in the name of Beverly Gries for establishing performing arts scholarships to 5801 America Lane, Lakeside, AZ 85929. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Show Low High School Auditorium. A viewing and visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Owens Livingston Mortuary. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book, visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.