Eve Gentry Timeline

Eve Gentry ~ Photo ©1989 by Joanne Rijmes

1909

Born Henrietta Greenhood on August 20, 1909 in San Bernardino, California.

1917

Began to study ballet, folk, and ballroom dance.

1928

Moved to San Francisco to begin studying modern dance.

1936

Moved to New York where she began a dance career with the Hanya Holm Company.

1938

Choreographed her most famous piece Tenant of the Street.

1942

Married her childhood friend, Bruce Gentry, and chose the professional name "Eve Gentry."

1944

Danced and choreographed for her own company, Eve Gentry Dancers and taught at the High School for Performing Arts and The New Dance Group. After persistent back and knee issues, she began to study with Joseph Pilates.

1955

Had a radical mastectomy - so much muscle was removed, she couldn't lift her arms. At the suggestion of some doctors, she and Joe filmed him teaching her advanced Pilates exercises to show to the hospital for an alliance. The hospital accused them of lying. They filmed again with her shirtless so the hospital could see they were telling the truth.

1968

Moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she opened her own dance studio and Pilates center.

1991

Co-founded The Institute for Pilates Method.

1994

Died on June 17, 1994 at the age of 84.