by Rosie Steinberg
If
you have been to a Monkeyhouse event, like Your Just Deserts in
September, you have definitely met some lovely young dancers, all eager
to soak up Karen's infinite wisdom and help out in any way that Nicole
needs. But where did they come from? Where in the world could they have
the opportunity to work with Karen so closely and so often? Impulse
Dance Center, of course! The studio of one LuAnn Pagella, where
toddlers, teenagers and teachers alike go to explore, create, and dance
their hearts out. It being her birthday this month, we would like to
honor LuAnn for her unending support for Monkeyhouse. I'd like to share
one of my first memories of dance, a memory that I know so many
students at Impulse have their own version of, the moment LuAnn helped
me find the determination to dance. For some dramatic flair that I know
LuAnn will appreciate, I guess I'll tell it in third person.
It
was an exuberant but unsure little girl that entered a combination
jazz, ballet, and tap class so many years ago only to find out that she
was flat footed, had the shortest achilles tendon known to mankind, and
could not seem to stop her feet from sickling. With each demi-plié,
dreams of dancing like Debbie Reynolds in "Singin' in the Rain" slipped
away. That was when LuAnn took that little girl aside, and taught her
how to stand in a proper first position without rolling in her ankles.
With that simple but significant achievement conquered, she had the
confidence to return to the barre and finish the exercise, finish that
class, and eventually make Impulse a second home.
A
small moment in the grand scheme of life, but without it dance could
have conquered a young me before I even had the chance to begin.
Anyone who's met LuAnn can tell that she calls it like she sees it. A
bold attribute, yes, but one that should never be undervalued. The high
standards she holds her dancers to are what turn children into
teenagers, teenagers into young adults, and those young adults into
artists. Artists like Monkeyhouse's Nicole Harris, Sarah Friswell, Remy
Marin, and Sarah Feinberg, who are all Impulse Alums. So next time you
see an Impulse kid at a Monkeyhouse event, like the Against the Odds
Festival (more information TBA!), ask them about dance. You will see in a
heartbeat that it is not only beautiful movement, choreography, and an
appreciation for technique that LuAnn Pagella and Impulse Dance Center
instill in their students, it is an irrevocable commitment to take
pride in their art, the art of dance. Happy Birthday Ms. LuAnn!
by Nicole Harris
October
is one of my favorite months, and it's not just because it has my
birthday! The leaves are changing, the weather is crisp and beautiful,
there are pumpkins and all assortment of Halloween goodies. Oh yeah,
and it's my birthday, Karen's birthday AND Monkeyhouse's birthday (did
you know that we are turning TWELVE!?)! Not to mention all these other
awesome people! Happy Birthday to all of our amazing October birthday
friends as well as some fabulous choreographers, including:
Want to be on the birthday list? Email us and let us know when your birthday is!
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