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"Great dancers are not great because of their technique;
they are great because of their passion"
- Martha Graham (1894-1991) -
American Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer

"Dance is the hidden language of the soul, of the body"

"The truest expression of a people is in its dance and
in its music, bodies never lie."
- Agnes de Mille (1905-1993) -
American Dancer and Choreographer

US Presidents dancing at Inaugural Balls



The Charleston is a dance which developed in America's afro-american communities and is named for the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The rhythm was popularized by a 1923 tune called "The Charleston" by pianist/composer James P. Johnson which originated in the Broadway show 'Runnin' Wild' and became one of the most popular hits of the decade.

Vernon and Irene Castle

"I believe that dance communicates man's deepest, highest and most truly
spiritual thoughts and emotions far better than words, spoken or written."
- Ted Shawn, Pioneer of American Modern Dance -

Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray

Because of Charles Lindbergh's dramatic 1927 crossing of the Atlantic in one "Hop", New York's George "Shorty" Snowden rose to the occasion and honored this historical event by appropriately naming his dance invention: "Lindy Hop"

Francisco "Frank" and Yolanda Veloz

"Back home everyone said I didn't have any talent.
They might be saying the same thing over here, but it sounds better in french."
Pennsylvania's Gene Kelly in "An American in Paris" (1951)

In 1959, Hoboken, New Jersey's "Voice to the World" Frank Sinatra recorded an album
titled "Come Dance with Me" wherein the "Muse of Dance" Terpsichore is mentioned.
Immigrants dancing at Ellis Island

Former U.S. First Lady Betty Ford from Chicago, Illinois started dance lessons at age 8 and once said "dancing is my life". At age 11, she taught other children Fox Trot, Waltz and Big Apple. At Bennington School of Dance, she studied under Martha Graham, was chosen to be in Ms. Graham's auxiliary troupe and eventually performed at Carnegie Hall. Mrs. Ford later taught dance at various sites in Grand Rapids, Michigan.


Hailing from the great State of Georgia, Chubby Checker inspired the Twist. This "Southern Hospitality" dance token circled the globe and became another of USA's worldwide dance waves.

Shall we dance in the "The Big Apple"?

In 1978, the motion picture "Saturday Night Fever" made dancing the "in" thing for many people, especially men. With a breakthrough performance by New Jersey's John Travolta and the smash hit soundtrack by the Bee Gees, "Saturday Night Fever" tuned into the psyche of America's youth disco culture and the motion picture became an instant box office smash.

Texas native Patrick Swayze became famous in the role of dance instructor Johnny Castle in the 1987 film "Dirty Dancing" alongside co-star Jennifer Grey. This film spawned several alternate versions from a television series to stage productions. Patrick, a blessed dancer and gifted patron of the art died on September 14, 2009 and will be sadly missed by all forevermore !

Indiana's International Superstar, Michael Jackson

View Michael's inspirational testimony to Dance

In 1992, Kentucky's Country Star Billy Ray Cyrus ignited the phenomenal
"Achy Breaky" dance craze with his catchy hit tune "Achy Breaky Heart"

"Dancing is a contact sport; football is a hitting sport."
Vince Lombardi

"Revitalizing General Motors is like teaching an elephant to tap dance.
You find the sensitive spots and start poking."  H. Ross Perot

"If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet,
you'd best teach it to dance."
  George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

"Put a little fun in your life, try dancing". "Mr. Dance" of SDC quoting
Arthur Murray's famous phrase on April 18, 2003 ... a bittersweet memory ...

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