Summitville A local woman is renewing a lifelong interest and won't allow her age to step in her way.
Bonnie Arnold will be turning 60 in February and, recently, decided to take tap classes as a form of exercise and true artistic expression.
Arnold mentions that she also enjoys Tai Chi and presently takes part in classes, but her true desire was to search for a teacher she felt comfortable with so she could rekindle an interest in tap that was fulfilling to her as a child.
I tapped as a child. I bought shoes six months ago, and I have been searching for someone that I felt comfortable with for lessons, Arnold said. It is an escape and release when I come for these classes.
Arnold said she met Denise Hummer, the owner of Stage Door Dance Studio and a nurse, while in hospital as a patient and developed a special bond with her.
With the new found friendship, Hummer convinced Arnold to take private tap lessons at Hummer s studio, and for a little over six weeks she has participated in these classes.
These classes last for close to a half and hour, or as Hummer jokes, they will last until she can tire Bonnie out.
Hummer shares that she has owned the Stage Door Dance Studio for 14 years and considers Arnold to be one of the best students that she has ever had.
Most adults want some exercise and in a lot of cases they are beginners, Hummer said. She (Bonnie) has a real good retention and talent with tap from when she was young.
Arnold explained she began taking tap lessons as a child and performed with the Shirley Lynn Tap Steppers until she was 15 years-old.
We did very well winning the World Square Dancing Championship two years in a row, Arnold said. Our group also performed many times in Chicago, and we were also on television numerous times.
Both ladies agree that the act of tap has a lot to offer besides exercise and that it really is such a creative form of art.
Hummer points out that when she is teaching tap, she likes to change up the music eras to keep it interesting and add to the enjoyment.
It is really an artistic creative impression, and it is like making pictures and sounds through the art of tap, Hummer said.
Overall when we are performing during these lessons it is so much fun, you really don't realize you are exercising.
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