Alumni dance highlights Terpsichore's 30th anniversary recital

‘It’s never too late to do the thing that you love…’,By Nancy Kriz MONROE - There’s an old Indian proverb which says, “to watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.” That’s what the alumni dancers in Terpsichore the Dancerschool’s upcoming recital are planning. The Harriman school is marking its 30th anniversary with a special performance of 26 former students and faculty - including some students who currently teach at the school - at its May 30 and 31 recitals. The school, named after the Greek goddess of music and dance, opened in 1979 with classes at the Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe. Its first owner, Laurel Purinton, and her staff taught ballet, pointe, tap and jazz classes, with students performing annual recitals to captivated families and friends. When Purinton moved to West Virginia in 1985, she sold the business to her studio manager, Lori Glick of Goshen, who was one of her first students. Purinton is expected to dance with other alumni in all three shows. As plans for the 30-year celebration began, school manager Denise Carter proposed having an alumni dance comprised of past members of the school’s elite dance company. That seed of an idea evolved when instructor Jamee Goldstein-Gordon, who like Glick, was one of Terpsichore’s first three students, offered to choreograph a routine for non-dance company alumni. She is a pediatrician with Monroe Pediatrics and teaches in the evenings. “It’s pretty neat to have people come back,” said Glick. “The dance is looking so good, considering some haven’t danced for years. It’s like riding a bike, for some of them. It’s so exciting they’re back. It’s great to see them all over again.” ‘In my blood’ As excited as Glick is to see dancers spanning 30 years, those participants are even more thrilled to be a part of the two-day recital. “When I first heard about it, I was very excited,” said Monroe native Erin Nelke, who now lives in Middletown and works for a home inspection company. “It’s quite an honor for me to come back and do this. (Dancing is) something I’ve missed.” Nelke, who spent time in South Carolina and took country line dance classes, took 11 years of ballet, three years of pointe and nine years of tap and jazz at Terpsichore. She stopped dancing at age 22 to pursue other interests. “It’s in my blood,” Nelke said. “I missed the everyday classes and the recitals. I had looked for other schools but nothing compared to my school. I feel right back at it, as if 20 years had not passed.” Monroe resident Beth Ann Littman first started taking dance lessons while living in the Bronx. She joined Terpsichore in 1980 and continued until she graduated from Washingtonville High School. “It’s a little scary,” said Littman, the director of quality assurance for Toys R Us’ corporate headquarters in Wayne, N.J. “But nobody’s rusty. This is a hard dance. I love the choreography and I love picking up the steps. I see the young kids and I feel just like it was yesterday. It’s just hard to imagine that time has gone by so fast and that we’re considered alumni.” Littman’s mother, Harriet Bauer, convinced her to be part of the alumni dance. It was Bauer who first read how the school was looking for alumni to participate in its 30th anniversary show. “She said it would be fun, and we’d do it together,” said Littman. “For me, it’s just a natural continuation. And it’s nice to know that the school has continued and she’s (Glick) busy and she’s full (of students).” Bauer, who auditioned to dance in Broadway shows when she was younger, has been dancing since she was three. She started taking her daughters Beth Ann and Liza for dance lessons when they turned three and became a Terpsichore student herself in 1980 when her family relocated to Monroe. “Once it’s in your bones, that’s it, you want to do it,” Bauer said. “I would do it whenever, and wherever. One of my biggest passions is dance … it’s so important to me.” Bauer, who is retired but occasionally works for the Chester School District, also takes ballroom dancing and zumba classes. She’s happily waiting for recital weekend to arrive. Like mothers, like daughters “No, I’m not nervous,” she said. “As soon as I hear music, I’m raring to go. Sure, just before you start, there’s a little ‘anticipation,’ as I call it. But when you’re out there, it’s great.” Now, this year’s recital will span three generations. Her granddaughter Rebecca Littman is also a Terpsichore student and will appear with her class. “I should have thought about a photo of the three of us during the school’s photo day,” said Bauer. “Maybe it’s not too late.” Monroe native Marilyn McIntosh, the director of the Monroe Free Library and Nelke’s mother, believes any one can be a dancer, and it’s never too late to try. “I wanted to be a ballerina when I was little,” said McIntosh, a former Terpsichore instructor now living in Pine Bush. “I’m putting myself out there, even with the wrinkles and extra weight. I want to do it. It’s in my blood.” McIntosh first started dancing at age 27 with adult continuing education ballet lessons at the former Harriman College on Harriman Heights Road. After time, she met Purinton and took classes when the school was based at Grace Episcopal Church. Soon, she was invited to teach at Terpsichore. In 1991, while working full time, caring for her family and going back to school for her master’s degree, McIntosh made the difficult decision to quit dancing because of the limited time she had available. But when she and her daughter learned Terpsichore was looking for alumni to take part in the recitals, there was no hesitation. “It was like ‘old home week,’” said McIntosh. “It wasn’t tough. I fell right back into it. All the moves were there. The arms went where they were supposed to and so did the legs.” Old dance school week Equally satisfying to McIntosh is meeting her former students. “I look at them and say, ‘You were one of my students,’” she said. “You really know when time has passed when you see something like that. It is really nice to see.” And while Glick and her staff are focusing on all the last minute details for this year’s recital, she’s also rehearsing with the alumni group and will be part of their routine in addition to four acts in the show. “Everyone is smiling and is having a great time,” said Glick. “You have to give them a lot of credit for doing this. It’s like one big party. “For me, this dance represents the beginning of the dance school, the students here and how the school has progressed. Thirty years have flown by.” ‘Last Dance’ For some, participating in the alumni dance has reinforced the desire to return to dance on a regular basis. While the dance is choreographed to Donna Summer’s “Last Dance,” it won’t be the last for many Terpsichore alumni. “I remember how much fun we used to have,” said Nelke, who has decided to start up again with tap and jazz lessons at Terpsichore this fall. “You walk around and re-acclimate yourself. You see the ballet barre, the mirrors, the pictures on the wall….this is absolutely what I needed. “Life gets busy … but I found a way to make the time.” Littman, who takes part in an exercise class with Bauer, expects to continue in some fashion as well. Exercise, dance, passion “People should remember that if they’ve danced when they were younger, and there’s an opportunity for them, they should come back,” Littman said. “For us, it’s been a part of our lives. I’m sure we’ll continue to do it.” McIntosh felt the alumni dance is a reminder for anyone to always follow their passions. “I think it’s never too late to do the thing that you love,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how old you are or what shape you’re in.” Bauer wholeheartedly agreed, adding she’d love the chance to be a part of the school’s 50th anniversary celebration. “I hope I am around to do that,” she said. “It’s a wonderful outlet. Dancing just lifts your spirits. Everyone should dance.” If you go • Terpsichore the Dancerschool will hold its annual recital performances on Saturday, May 30 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday May 31 at 12 noon and 5 p.m. at the Monroe-Woodbury High School. • Tickets are $12 each. Children under three are admitted free. • The alumni performance will be in all three shows. For more information, call 782-7032.