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Naples tap dance group invites seniors to kick up their heels
As dance students flowed through the
doors of the studio at Naples’ River
Park Community Center, they greeted
friends, draped costumes over chairs
and chatted excitedly as they buckled
on tap shoes.
Teachers called over groups of their
students to give last-minute advice
about the dance numbers. The scene
would be familiar to any parent who
has driven a child to a dance class, but
these are not typical dance students.
Most members of the ReCreation
Tappers of Southwest Florida are of an
age that they could have
grandchildren taking dance classes.
The music starts and Judi Baruck,
artistic director and vice president of
programs, reminds students that
Lea Wozniak, an 84-year-old ReCreation Tapper,
practices a dance routine with fellow students. /
Laura Tichy-Smith/Special to Coastal Life
Written by!
Laura Tichy-Smith!
Special to Coastal Life!
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entrances and exits count. “Stay a dancer the whole time — don’t just walk off the
stage,” she says.
The nonprofit ReCreation Tappers offers classes for adult learners via a network
of instructor who teach in studios from Estero to Marco Island. Founded in 2004
by dance student Pat Vogelsang, members now number around 120 and range
from first-time beginners through experienced dancers. While the primary
mission of the organization is to promote the learning and appreciation of tap
dance, the group also offers a troupe for the approximately 40 members who
wish to perform. The troupe gives free performances around Naples during the
winter season.
“For about half the members, this is something from their bucket list,” said group
president Jan Drummond. “Tap isn’t as exacting as ballet — tap is forgiving, and
you can put your own style on it.”
“We’re not out to prove anything other than having a great time,” student Gina
Finch said. “There’s so much to do in Naples, and if anyone says they are bored in
Naples, then they are boring.”
The oldest member of the group, 84-year-old Lea Wozniak, was once a
professional ballerina and continued to practice ballet into her 70s.
“My body couldn’t take ballet anymore, but I couldn’t stand not dancing,”
Wozniak said. “I saw the group tap at Cambier Park, and it led me to this,” she
said. “My husband wanted to tap dance all his life, and now he’s taking beginner
classes.” She continued, “He has macular degeneration and is legally blind, but he
started just this year, and he’s 88.”
As they dance, students’ expressions convey youthful wonder that contrasts their
gray hair. The routines show the dancers grasp three-dimensional spatial
concepts that turn complexity into art as they coordinate with the movements of
other students.
“One of our teachers told us all the studies say that dancing is better protection
for Alzheimer’s than crossword puzzles,” Finch said. “With the crossword puzzle,
if you don’t get it one day then you can set it aside, but look at what we’re doing,
[because] with dance if you don’t get it — crash!”
Connect with this reporter: @LauraTichySmith (Twitter)