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16 | OHCC LIVING | MARCH 2023 | Meet Sharon Lair, our resident Belly Dancing teacher and OH Dance Troupe Member. Sharon and Clair are the parents of four children. When they were all finally in school, Sharon decided she needed something that was just for her. As a child, she studied Tap and Jazz but as an adult, she wanted to try something new. About 45 years ago, she found a Belly Dancy class and joined for the "exercise." From that moment, Sharon was hooked. She learned new ways to move her body, isolating body movements and really loved Belly Dancing. She really excelled and was able to perform professionally throughout Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties. She found she really enjoyed performing for people and loved making their costumes. Who doesn't feel beautiful in chiffon and beads? About a year after starting Belly Dancing, Sharon had the opportunity to begin teaching the craft she had learned to love. This new experience was fun, and she found that she really enjoyed it. Excitement filled her when students learned the joy that she had found through this form of dancing. For many years, she taught in the City Rec Departments of Covina, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland, to name a few. Many of her students went on to become professional dancers. Those were such "proud mama" moments for her. Some of her former students are still performing and keep in contact with her. In the 1990s, Sharon and Clair moved to Rancho Carlsbad. Sharon learned that OHCC had a need for a Belly Dancing instructor. She hopped on board and taught right here for a few years. In 2003, Clair retired and OHCC is where they chose to move. Once settled, she joined the Tap and Jazz classes and started teaching Belly Dancing again. 20 years later, she is still teaching and performing. Her love of performing gave her new ways to express her love of dance and fellowship. She has enjoyed being a part of the shows that the OH Dance Troupe performs every two years. For many years, she has been instrumental in the selection and ordering of costumes for the many dances in our recitals. The next performance is coming in the Spring of 2024. Sharon is a warm and kind member of the OHCC Dance Troupe and we are lucky to have her. If you've ever wanted to find different ways to move your body, Belly Dancing just might be for you. You can join Sharon's class on Saturday mornings. A great fact you might not know is that at OHCC there is no charge for classes taught by residents. Thank you, Sharon for giving freely your time and talents. For information about classes, contact Sharon at (760) 822-2670. For Jazz or Tap contact ohdancetroupe@gmail.com; for Hawaiian contact Valerie Thompson valgene2@cox.net; for Ballet contact Nancy Trimino ntmauisty@aol.com Come dance with us. Ocean Hills Dance Troupe

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