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This article will introduce you to a special group from the Dance Troupe. You will learn about the theater dance class which started in 2004 and was inspired by Joanne Harms. The dance instructor at the time was Ellie Oakley and she came up with the idea. The first theater dance group was comprised of all women! Ellie had a vision to add partners thus making it couples dancing to Broadway tunes. So the men were recruited, and the first show featured a dance to Poor Lost Souls and a very rousing number from the L'il Abner musical. The original members of the group were Charlotte and Jack Pivo, Bill and Joanne Harms, Sharon and Clair Lair, Valerie and Gene Thompson, Lyle Bergeson and Sheila Sinton, Dennis and Eileen McNabb, and Rene Klepesh and Ted Griffin. The couples group continued until Ellie retired. Therefore, they did not participate in the 2016 Dance Troupe performance. But they were ready to go again in 2018! Our current dance teacher, Yvonne Romano, along with Connie Perkins, create the choreography for the couples. Yvonne and Connie have also called upon the expertise of Miriam and George Mozes, (past teachers of Ballroom Dance here at Ocean Hills) who have contributed to the choreography. Connie, and occasionally Yvonne, teaches the dance steps to the performers starting six months prior to a show. For the show in 2018, they danced in their polka dot costumes to the song "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better" from Annie Get Your Gun. Also in 2018, the couples inspired the holiday spirit with a dance to music of the season which was choreographed by Yvonne. Although there is not a date for the next show due to COVID-19, the couples were learning their musical dance steps to the beautiful and romantic song "Tightrope" from The Greatest Showman. Currently, the couples dance group consists of Connie Perkins and Chuck Miller, Lynn and Tim Pentel, Marcia and Steve Ward, Carolyn and Walt Webber, and Bin and John Crow You may hear this type of dance referred to as theater dance, couples dance, or musical dance. The participants devote a lot of time and talent to learning their parts. No matter which name is used for this type of dance; it is always fun to watch! | OHCC LIVING | JANUARY 2021 | 15 Ocean Hills Dance Troupe Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time. Village Squares Best Wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year ~ The Village Squares Board