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Dancers Step Out for Friendships, Laughter |
| By
Erica Ryan |
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Aug 13, 2002 |
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Two UT staff members have found the perfect solution to staying in shape and escaping stress — tap dancing.
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| Linda Storer |
Linda Storer, executive secretary at the Nanotechnology Research Center, and Sandy Whitman, administrative assistant in the College of Business Administration Dean’s Office, kick up their heels as part of the Manhattan Dance Company, a group of about 50 women over the age of 40 who want to have a little fun in their spare time.
The Manhattan Dance Company will perform at the Maumee Parade and Street Fair on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 112 E. Wayne St., and show off their John Philip Sousa number for Music Under the Stars at the Toledo Zoo on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 7:30 p.m.
“You don’t have to stop dancing when you’re 18,” Storer said. “It’s something you can do your whole life.”
Storer joined the group just a year after the studio opened in Maumee in 1991. Owned and directed by Ruth Kessen, the studio offers baton, ballet and other dance classes to the younger set, but also caters to the older women with afternoon and evening tap classes. The idea for the adult tap began when some mothers showed an interest in learning how to dance after watching their children learn the choreography for high school musicals.
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| Sandy Whitman |
At first, the group performed for churches, nursing homes and at area venues. Then they entered their first competition — a regional affair in Columbus in the 40+ category. And they were a hit.
“It’s not a day anyone will forget,” Storer said. “The room started applauding before we even started dancing … The judges’ jaws just dropped.”
Such a large group of women performing after college-age is extremely rare, Storer said. “We’re one of the only groups like this in the country.”
Since that first competition where they took first in regionals and second in the nation, the Manhattan Dance Company has entered and won numerous contests across the country, traveling to Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles and New York. In fact, they often enter themselves in the 18+ category for stiffer competition and still go home with a trophy. “The dances we do used to be slow,” Storer said. “But our teacher, Brenda Michalak, kept pushing us, and we found out we were capable of doing more difficult routines. Brenda is very talented and creative, and her enthusiasm is contagious.”
The dance company successfully auditioned to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York last year. Although Storer and Whitman were not part of the group that attended, they are hoping to get another chance. “We want them to go again so we can go,” Storer said.
But the group offers more than just recognition for their dancing skills. “We go and compete, but we’re there to have fun and entertain,” Storer said. “It’s fun and exercise and traveling and entertainment.”
Whitman, who has been with the group for about a year, said she has gained a valuable hobby — and even more valuable friendships. “There’s a lot of camaraderie and friendship.”
In fact, friendships brought both Whitman and Storer to the group. “Linda brought me in,” Whitman said. “I love to dance, but I had never tap danced … I was surprised at how much there was to it. But I’m learning and I love it.”
Like Whitman, Storer had never tap danced before joining the group. “I was having anxiety attacks … and I basically flunked a stress test. The doctor told me I needed to be doing something,” she said. “I had tried aerobics and walking, but I always got bored.” A friend introduced Storer to the dance group, and she was hooked. “I did it for health reasons. It’s great exercise.”
The group of dancers provides a circle of comfort and friendship for the women involved, Storer said. “We’ve lost two women to cancer, we’ve had children and spouses die, women become grandmothers … We’re basically working women who in the evenings go out and tap dance.”
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