Marcia Dale Weary

Marcia Dale Weary passed away at the age of 82 on March 4, 2019, in Camp Hill, PA. Marcia was born in Carlisle, PA on March 31, 1936, the middle daughter of Dale and Melva Weary. She is survived by her sisters Sandra Weary and Rosemary Lyn Weary.
Marcia founded the Marcia Dale School of Dance in 1955, where she taught classes daily and developed a teaching curriculum that is now trademarked and renowned in the industry for turning out exceptional dancers. Her vision was to give every child the opportunity to have access to exceptional ballet training.
In 1974, the Marcia Dale School of Dance became Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet – a nonprofit school and performing company. Today, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet is an internationally recognized school of classical ballet. Thousands of young people have passed through its acclaimed studios. Alumni are dancers in the top companies in the world, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, and the Paul Taylor's American Modern Dance, to name a few.

Marcia was hailed as one of the greatest ballet teachers of the time. She forged the path from a local dancing school to a global institution. Her unequaled dedication to her school, students and instructors and her unique teaching style have brought Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet to the top of the dance field as a celebrated leader in dance education. In 1989, the New York Times stated that Weary is “considered one of the country’s foremost ballet teachers.” It also stated that Ms. Weary produces “dancers well known in the ballet world.” According to Dance Teacher magazine, she “produces students who have the whole package – attention to detail, early technical development, and a broad socialization into the arts.

Marcia never wavered from her vision to provide rigorous dance training for serious students and to enhance the cultural climate of the Central Pennsylvania Region through ballet performances. Marcia remained active in CPYB throughout her life, teaching more than 25 classes a week into her eighties.

Marcia once said, “At every possible opportunity, I hope to instill in children a love for the arts and for classical music. Along with that, I hope to help them develop self-discipline, generosity, and the ability to focus.” There is no doubt that Marcia accomplished all of this and more in her life dedicated to teaching and dance. Her legacy lives on in all the lives she has touched and the strong organization that is Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, which is well positioned to continue to inspire, educate and impact the lives of its students, the community, and the world at large.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Harrisburg Hilton, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet to honor Marcia’s legacy.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA 17013
To Sign Marcia’s online guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com