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| AHA Benefit for Joanne Chirichiello |
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Hi everyone,
Please join us on
Saturday April 8 2006 for a fundraiser in honor of Joanne Chirichiello, benefiting the Go Red For Women Movement of the American Heart Association (AHA).
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JOANNE CHIRICHIELLO SCHOLARSHIP 2005
The Family and Friends of Joanne Chirichiello made a generous donation
in her memory, of a course of ten private lessons. We decided to award the
Scholarship to the student who best answered the question:
'Why I Love to Dance'.
We loved all the answers. Some were very moving and deeply personal,
others very funny or inspirational. Here are some of the essays submitted.
Congratulations to Jessica and thank you to all
who took part.
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DONNA |
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When I came to that first guest party, (as my own guest), I didn't know how or why, but I knew I couldn't Not be here.
I have an illness that can strike anytime, in any way, for reasons no one knows. I just turned 48 yrs old, and every day seemed to get harder and harder.
Then I came to dance. When I felt bad, I would put on music and dance by myself, as exercise, and as a way to prove to myself that I still could, that I still looked good, that I still had control of my body. I always say, when things get too hard-Dance- When it gets bad dance naked!
About 2 weeks ago, I got sick. I tried to ignore it. I knew that all I had to do was get here, and I would be fine. When I could not make it, no matter how hard I tried, I got sicker. Istvan called, and I just told Him I was too sick and I did not know when I would be back. I did not wait to hear any thing else, I just said to tell everyone I will be dancing in my dreams.
Meanwhile, this letter arrived from the studio, but I ignored it, thinking it was an invoice, or a note about the competition. The day after I barked at poor Istvan, I opened the letter. I immediately became overwhelmed with a flood of thoughts and emotions. I sat down, and with eyes full of tears, I heard these words coming back to me. I think you know what I mean when I say that something just "smacks you right in the forehead", or you just all the sudden "get it".
Well, someone just picked me up by the scruff of the neck and kept nudging me. I would lie back down; I would hear "just go, you will make it". I would say, I am too sick, by the time, I get ready, and it will be tomorrow." So, go tomorrow then."
I am upset be cause this time, (I must have done something really mean to deserve this), My skin has decided to just erupt into what rivals the best textbook cases of a sort of chicken pox? Then there was this, "your skin is just what keeps your body together so you do not go round making a mess. What people see is the soul of a being and that is felt long before it can be seen. When you dance, Your whole body shows your light, your joy, shows YOU!"
I don't think I ever saw Joanne, but I know Her. She is 5'13", full of piss and vinegar, and will not take NO for an answer. Suddenly, she was gone from you, but it was not sudden for her. Each of you can remember vividly how she looked, what she said, how you felt when she was around you.
OK ALL RIGHT ALREADY. I get it! Like a smack in the Back of the HEAD. No more feelin' sorry for myself, I'M GOING DANCIN'.
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JAN |
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When I was a child and continuing throughout most of my life, I had very low-self esteem and not very much self-confidence.
When I was a middle-aged woman, I was fortunate to have a wonderful friend who always told me I didn't realize my own worth. She was great encouragement for me. For a while after my marriage ended I lost any self-confidence I had and when my friend said those words to me, I new I needed to make a change.
My love for dancing began when I received a telephone call asking if I would be interested in taking dancing lessons, I stated that I was too busy. The woman asked if she could call me in a few weeks and I said yes. When the second call came I decided that I would try the dancing lessons.
I walked into the Norwood Fred Astaire Dance Studio alone on a Tuesday night, still pretty unsure of myself and wondered; "what am I doing here"? The instructor that greeted me was very nice and we did a private lesson, I really enjoyed myself so I followed through with the 3-dance program. I found myself wanting to continue with the dancing and signed on for more lessons. Thanks to those beginning lessons, I began to dance more and more, participating in something that I loved, which made me feel wonderful and was increasing my self-confidence more and more as I progressed in the dancing. I have continued to dance with the studio, compete, participate in showcases and keep feeling that self confidence that I thought was lost and never thought I would have again.
I continue to dance with the studio eight years later.
The reason I love dancing is, it has given me a multitude of self-confidence and self-esteem that I never knew existed. Through the efforts of my teachers in teaching me and correcting what I have not done perfectly right, in an encouraging way, and the fact that I enjoy dancing and really put my heart and soul into my dancing I have come to realize that I am now a more self confident person. I can go out on the dance floor, dance my heart out and even if it is not too great, my self-esteem is high enough that I can have fun, won't beat myself up and just enjoy the pleasure of dancing and the way that it makes me feel personally, which I have been able to apply to other areas of my life. Hooray for dancing, hooray for me!
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JESSICA |
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As a girl my dance teacher encouraged our class to compose one paragraph on the topic: "what dance means to me." The entries were to be considered for later publication in the June program. I recall feeling excited yet stunted at the prospect of this request. Today, I find myself with a similar challenge, pondering the same question: How can one express something so powerful in just a few words?
I may have more words now than as a girl to express the way dance has impacted my life, but the experience dance affords me continues to stand just outside of verbal expression. It is difficult to quantify the experience of dance by defining abstractly something which occurs in a spiritual realm of mind-body consciousness. Despite the difficulty in the attempt, I will venture to describe what dance does for me as well as cite the varying personas it continues to take on.
With the introduction of ballroom into my life, I have come to realize an even greater number of strategies by which dance reveals itself unto me-thus allowing me to further understand myself. Whether I am on the dance floor, stage, or in the privacy of my room, dance never fails to have something to say. Within the controlled movements of my body, I can explore deeper parts of myself in isolation, in expression, and in connection. The beauty of this is that it allows me to have both an encounter with the differing parts of myself, while providing me with the opportunity to encounter and interact with the people around me through a language outside of speech. With simple or complex patterns, I can express the sadness and joy of others, communicate the deeper realities within myself, and connect with the human experience - all without saying a word.
While dance can be seen as an element of the human experience that one takes part in, it simultaneously encapsulates what the human experience is by presenting the emotions, actions, and reactions that total the elements of existence. If we open ourselves wide enough, we can allow dance to become the best healer, teacher, muse, companion, confidant, therapist, trainer, and revealer we have ever had the honor of knowing.
The relationship that I have established with dance leaves me with but one final analogy of comparison. Being away from dance is similar to being away from any true and passionate love. You want to forget the joy it once brought you because the absence of it carries so much sorrow. And yet, a simple glimpse, taste, or slight reminder of its presence transports you to a world of timelessness, introspection, and gratitude. It is for these reasons that I simply cannot ignore the motto "keep dancing;" it is not a choice I can make, it is beyond decision.
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| GERRY |
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I, of course, have always loved to dance and certainly signed up at Fred Astaire long before the movie "Let's Dance" was issued; in fact, I signed up long before "Dancing With the Stars" made it to the TV screen. In any event, the point is (I do seem to occasionally ramble), I was dancing at Fred Astaire long before it was promoted by both the aforementioned movie and TV show. Okay, secretly, well, I guess not so secretly, I kind of identify with Richard Gere and John O'Hurley (more so the latter). Alright, it's no use pretending, everyone at Fred Astaire knows Linda ordered me to the dance studio and not to return until I had complete understanding of the "Twinkle Toes," "Grape Vine," "Promenade Cross Body Check," and how to lead (so I'm a follower, so what). Don't you think I know that's why Istvan picks on me all the time.
The truth is, despite pressure from Linda and Scott, and despite my desire to be an Elvis impersonator, the only reason I signed on to continue dance lessons is because I truly love it. I am certain that Elizabeth, Jonathan, Istvan and Elaine have seen the real fun and enthusiasm I bring to my dance lessons. I know skepticism abounds but dentistry is second only to police work in stress. When I dance, it's all behind me. The stress is forgotten. I love it. You wouldn't know by watching, but I have been dancing since my teenage days. Linda, who loves to dance, encouraged more of it but finally insisted that I learn to do it correctly. I'm having great fun and if awarded the scholarship, I will give this opportunity all my time and enthusiasm and pursue excellence. It is somewhat ironic that since arriving at Fred Astaire, I have been asking Elizabeth for a scholarship. So, if seniority counts in asking, I should get extra credit. By the way, does membership in AAA and AARP, incase I don't receive the scholarship, entitle me to a discount for regular lessons? Thank you for a wonderful and rewarding experience and please give me serious consideration. I love you all.
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EDWINA |
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I love to dance because it is a wonderful art form, when one can relax and think of nothing except the passion and beauty of it.
The music setting the mood, a good partner for the moment makes it so exciting.
I never tire and do not want the evening to end, but - as the teachers at the Fred Astaire studio say, "you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here". So, until the next dance night arrives I will be content to go home, put on an old Fred and Ginger movie and
the beat goes on ...
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