Eleanor Dodder Pernia

Eleanor Pernia, founder and former artistic director of the Eleanor Pernia Studio of Dance in Beltsville, Maryland, passed away August 15, 2024, of natural causes in Silver Spring, MD. She was 87.

Eleanor was born in Baltimore on November 17, 1936, to Bernard T. Dodder and Margaret Richesin, and grew up with an older sister in northeast Washington, DC. She began tap and ballet classes around the age of seven becoming an accomplished dancer, performing on local TV shows such as Kiddie Kapers and Your Junior Review. She appeared in Tony Grant’s Children’s Theater on the world-renowned Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with Teresa Brewer and Frankie Avalon.

While in high school, she traveled to New York City for her first professional audition, landing a job touring the midwestern United States and Canada as a teenage Roxette during her summer breaks for two years. The 1950’s also found her entertaining U.S. servicemen with the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) throughout the United States as well as in Iceland, Bermuda, Nassau, and the Canary Islands. She danced professionally as a featured soloist and chorus member, appearing with stars such as Frankie Avalon, Gordon and Sheila McRae, and Eddie Fisher. She also entertained dignitaries such as former President Richard M. Nixon and former Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

Eleanor graduated from McKinley Technical High School (now known as McKinley Technology High School) in Washington, DC, in 1954.  She married Marcos (Sam) Pernia, they moved to Prince George’s County, Maryland, where they raised three children.

While raising her family, she continued her dance training, teaching, and performing. In 1962, she established the Eleanor Pernia Studio of Dance in her Lewisdale, MD home. Five years later, the studio was relocated to a small building on Route 1 (Baltimore Boulevard) in Beltsville, Maryland, where hundreds -- perhaps thousands -- of boys and girls, teens, and adults grew their dance skills and their confidence under Eleanor’s inspiration and direction. Techniques included ballet, tap, jazz, Kinderdance, hip hop, ballroom, and more. In 2005, she sold the studio, leading to her retirement as owner and artistic director.

Even after retirement, however, she stayed active in the dance arts, performing in the Civil War dance ensemble in Gettysburg, PA, and joining the Performing Arts Council at Riderwood Senior Living in Silver Spring, MD, where she spent the final years of her life with her cat, Bella.

During the three decades that Eleanor taught dance, she fostered not only a love of movement in many forms in her students, but she also provided educational and performance opportunities. She was a member of Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America for many years, often bringing students and student teachers with her to local and regional dance workshops and conventions. Eleanor Pernia dancers performed on stage in well-produced annual or biennial dance recitals as well as at community events, competitions, and nursing homes. Many of her former students have gone on to become professional dancers and teachers.

An avid traveler, Eleanor visited all seven continents as an adult. She also enjoyed being outside and was proud of the garden she created outside of her apartment.

Eleanor is survived by her former husband, Marcos Pernia, their three children, daughter, Kim Joanne Pernia and sons, Marcos Pernia and Christopher B. Pernia, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren and her niece, Elizabeth O'Marr. She is predeceased by her parents and her older sister, Freda Jean Nicol.

In lieu of flowers, Eleanor suggests that you send flowers to a friend or loved one.

Eleanor was buried in a private service at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Maryland.  A memorial celebration will be held on Sunday, September 29, at 1:00 pm in the Town Center, celebrations room at Riderwood Village.