The last dance

By Christine Urio
For Joan Butler, dance is not only a form of expression, but a way of life.
As the founder and owner of the Joan Butler Institute of Dance, with locations in Monroe and Warwick, dance has been an integral part of her life since she was 6-years-old.
“As time went by and I got older, if my mother couldn’t find me, I was at the dancing school every day,” said Butler. “I was anxious to learn every type of choreography at every age.”
Butler’s inspiration for dance stemmed from her sister who encouraged her to pursue this form of expression.
“When we were six, my sister and I started doing tap, and my sister told my parents, ‘You should send her to dance school,”’ Butler said.
Butler’s instructors - a husband and wife dancing duo - also inspired her, and eventually gave her an opportunity that jump-started her career.
“When I was a senior in high school, my teacher’s mother died, and I had to run the recital for them, and it was a success,” Butler said.
From Radio City Music Hall to MonroeFrom there, her passion for dance led her to become a Radio City Music Hall Rockette.
“I loved it,” she said. “Everything had to be a certain way, and we would rehearse for three weeks starting at 5 a.m. until we got it right because it had to be perfect, but I loved it. I enjoyed the girls I danced with and it was wonderful.”
Butler brought her enthusiasm for dance from Manhattan to Monroe when she opened up her own dance studio.
“My son and husband encouraged me to open up my own school, and I thought, this is going to be a challenge, but let me see if I can do this,” said Butler. “I’m so blessed because my sons helped and encouraged their friends and their parents to join.”
Parents will say that Butler has greatly influenced the Monroe, Warwick and surrounding communities.
“Whoever came to the school usually brought their friends or their siblings, and they enjoyed it as much as I did,” she said.
Life lessonsNot only has dance been enjoyable for Butler, but it has also taught her many things.
“It’s made me very happy, as well as my friends and family happy,” she said. “I just can’t say enough about it—it’s a job when you wake up in the morning you can’t wait to get to.”
Although she’s done it all, ballet and tap are her favorite dance genres.
“I would tell a lot of adults and children that with dance, you can walk into the studio feeling upset or angry, and dance does so much for your body, as well as your mind,” she said. “I, personally, would start to relax and smile, letting go of all the anger or sadness I felt, and I don’t really know if people realize that because they usually think of dance as moving your feet, but it’s beyond that—it does a lot for your mind and it’s just a wonderful thing.”
Reach that point when it's time ...While dance has been an essential part of her life, Butler has decided it is time to retire.
“I don’t want to, but I think my body has gotten tired,” she said. “My heart and brain love it, but like with everything in life, you reach that point and realize it’s time to retire.”
In her retirement, Butler would like to continue teaching ballroom dance, volunteer, join a senior citizens group, travel and relax.
But, dance will always be a part of her world.
“I love it, I love the kids, I love the adults, God’s been good to me, and the journey I’ve had with my husbands and sons,” she said.
A legacyWith the passion, commitment, and dedication Butler has demonstrated to dance, she hopes she will leave a legacy for her students.
“I hope that my students love and appreciate dance as much as I do because it’s a wonderful talent God has given us, and they should pursue and enjoy it,” she said. “It does so much for each person.”
Looking back and reflecting on her career in dance, Butler knows she’ll miss it.
“I’m going to shed a lot of tears, but I have to thank so many parents and students for coming to me,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed them as much as they’ve enjoyed learning and I hope many will pursue it in college since there are a lot of dancing schools out there now, which will give them more choices than I had when I was their age. I definitely think they should peruse dance because in all areas, it’s wonderful.”
This Saturday’s recital begins at 1 p.m. at Washingtonville High School. Tickets are $15 each.