Rockettes circa 1950s

Emma Stiffler Bishop, Former Radio City Music Hall Rockette 

Emma Stiffler is the founder, director and instructor of Centerstage Dance Studio located at 79 East Main Street in Westfield, New York. Bishop was asked to be the Grand Marshall in the recent "Let There Be Light" holiday parade held in Westfield on November 18.  The community was honored that Emma agreed to be this year's Grand Marshall, 2023.

Emma's family moved to Westfield in 1948.  She graduated in 1955 from Westfield Academy and Central School and at 18 years of age Emma headed to the Big Apple to study dance with a dream of becoming a Radio City Music Hall Rockette.  Her dream came true .. between 1958 and 1960 she was a RCMH Rockette when admission to the show was only $1.50!

On September 3, 1960 she married Ronald Cameron Bishop, Jr. in Cherry Tree, PA.  Ron was the curator of Radio City Music Hall's Grand Organ and was CEO of his own pipe organ maintenance business for more than 40 years. The RCMH Grand Organ is a Wurlitzer and is the largest organ to ever leave the Wurlitzer plant located in North Tonawanda, NY until 1975.

In 1985, Emma and Ron visited Westfield and attended her 30th class reunion.  Two years later in 1987 Emma moved back to Westfield from New Jersey with her husband.  Emma opened a dance studio and since then, through music and dance, she has touched the lives of many local dancers of all ages and their families.  Emma is a kind and caring teacher allowing her to be an excellent role model to her students. Her talents are showcased by her students in every performance held at the dance studio.  Perhaps one day, a student of Mrs. Bishop's may take her place in that famous kick line of 36.

Upon entering her studio one can view the many black and white photos of her years in New York City as a Rockette.  One in particiular, shows Emma with ..  Mr. Frank Sinatra.  Today, Emma keeps in contact with her fellow dancers as a member of the Rockette Alumni Society.

During Emma's three years as a Rockette quite a few famous people appeared at the openings .. Danny Kaye, Cary Grant, Liberace, Ginger Rogers and Jamestown's hometown star, Lucille Ball.

Before Emma directed her sights on the Big Apple she was working at the former Olympia Restaurant on Main Street in Westfield where she picked up a copy of The American magazine.  An article and picture on the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall so fascinated the young woman she dropped her studies as a concert pianist at Fredonia State University to audition for the Rockettes with little dance training behind her.

When Emma went to New York City her first audition ended in rejection.  The next three years brought extensive study in ballet, jazz and tap dancing at night while working for a legal firm during the day.  She was invited back for another audition in 1958.  When she auditioned the second time, she was up against 100 other dancers and was the only one chosen that time!  The month was March and the year was 1958.  In a Westfield Republican dated August 22, 1985 Emma is quoted with these words .. "Dancing was so much fun, we almost felt guilty taking our paychecks".

The line kick was just one routine the Rockettes performed, but if it wasn't included in a show the Music Hall could count on letters from disgruntled fans. 

The word 'kick', I think made them famous and is synonymous with the Rockettes. They were as much a part of New York City as the Statue of Liberty.  If you went to New York City, you had to see them.  If not, you really didn't see New York City."

Emma Stiffler Bishop

The following are a few quotes from those who knew Emma growing up in Westfield.

I remember when you went to NYC and became a Rockette.  We were all so proud and happy for you. My Mom and I went to NYC almost every Spring.  We always went to the Easter show.  Emma Stiffler to me.   

Joan Storms Leopold

My brother, Robert Stimson, who I believe went to school with you, went to NYC to see the Christmas show with the Rockettes many times.  Love it.  

Virginia Imm

Westfield is blessed to have her. 

Sharon Kresge Greene

Emma is absolutely beautiful. What Emma teaches is priceless.

Kerry Chambers

Lovely lady.  So much talent.

Patricia Burgess

I have enjoyed giving back to the town that has given so much to me.

Emma Stiffler Bishop

In an article written by Dave Prenatt in the Jamestown Post-Journal from July 6, 2017 it tells of the Centerstage Dance Studio celebrating 30 years. At that time, Emma had taught thousands of students and directed countless performances though the story went back much further both in terms on her personal life and her connnection to the building, itself.  The building that still houses the dance studio is a 100 year old plus structure now. It was known then and is still known today as the "Bishop Building" in the Chautauqua County Historical Society Register.  Many recall it as the former Grange Hall. Bishop's parents both belonged to the Grange.  When Emma was in high school, there was a woman from Buffalo who came to Westfield once a week and taught dance.  As I mentioned earlier in this post, Emma studied dance in NYC for three years before becoming a Rockette.  I have since learned she studied tap dance with Jack Stanley and Paul Draper; ballet with Jack Pottiger at Ballet Arts which was the largest dance studio in New York City and jazz dance with Jack Stanley.

The girls had to keep in shape.  One year, while rehearsing for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade I had an honest-to goodness pratfall" said Bishop.  She kept dancing, but went to physical therapy between shows!

You do become like sisters.  You got to know each other really well and you developed very close friendships. There is a Rockette Sisterhood and the members experience a wonderful camaraderie when they reunite.

Emma Bishop

When Emma and her husband, Ron moved back to Westfield they discovered there were no dance studios in the area so Bishop was invited by the director of the YMCA in Westfield to teach classes there.  Later, she opened a small studio in her home.  The demand grew so she and Ron bought the old Grange Hall where Centerstage has remained ever since. Word of mouth is how Emma has acquired many of her students with several of her students having gone on to pursue dance careers or studied dance in college.  One of her alumni even has her own dance studio in the Big Apple.  

Bishop has also instructed many football players who take ballet in order to improve their footwork on the field.  Ballet also teaches them to fall without being injured! When football players or other athletes first take hold of the ballet bar, they seem awkward and out of place, but as they go through the course, they are transformed.  

The joy of sharing dance with others is my greatest reward.  I get in that room with a bunch of kids I don't think of anything else.  I would not trade it for anything. Studying dance offers many benefits to children.  Perhaps the greatest benefit is teaching a child how to work to accomplish something new.  Kids work on something that is complicated and then suddenly they've got it.  You would think you had handed them a million dollars.

Emma Bishop