Jerry and Janet Fenton, know collectively as “The Fentons”, have been taking ballroom dance lessons at Fred Astaire, Bardonia since February 1999. Jerry is a recently retired working foreman from Orange and Rockland division of Con Edison. Janet is an elementary teacher in a local school district.
After unsuccessful attempts to Viennese waltz at Nyack's First Night events, they decided to try formal dance lessons. Group lessons were also unsuccessful, so they decided to try private lessons at our Bardonia studio. Their first instructor, Nadia Kravatz, guided them through the basics, and ballroom dance lessons became their once a week date: An evening to focus on themselves as a couple, away from the demands and responsibilities of raising a family of four growing children, which now includes four grandchildren. As time went on, they continued through various instructors. At this time, they are taught primarily by Victor Russu in smooth, working to improve their waltz and fox trot, and Lena Rudenco for Latin.
The Fentons find that in addition to the benefit of exercise, the communication needed to improve their dance on the floor has worked to enhance their communication in daily life. Both require a couple to give and take, support, and yield. Moreover, they've used what they've learned to choreograph the father-daughter dance for two of their daughters on the occasion of their weddings.
Long range dance goals? Jerry plans a second career as an onboard cruise dance escort. Watch out, ladies!