Gone, but hopefully not forgotten !

This is a post for those who are still reading this.  It has been quite some time since I have last posted,
several things play into this, but the main thing, is I have not given up the passion for the dance.

The studio I have been tapping is, which was like a family to me, has undergone some major changes,
one of them being, the director and my good friend Anna Kramer, is no longer there.  Anna was the major
force of the studio for me, and I would say the spirit of the whole place, without her it is a different feel.

That, and alot of my favourite teachers and choreographers for various reasons, have pursued their own
personal interests, this is life.

I have been travelling alot in Italy these days, and to my great joy, have found a studio in Rome that I think
will be spending time in, in the coming year.My partner, James and I have decided to move to Italy.  Yes, we are packing up and heading to a small hilltop town, 1 hour and 20 minutes northeast of Rome, in a town called Casperia.

Over the last 4 or 5 years, we have gone back to the same place, and have made very close friends (more
like family now) in this town, and in Rome, so, we are taking the leap !  We have signed a lease for a year
and will just see what happens after that.

It was a huge decision, as, at 62 years old, normally people are pretty rooted in where they are, which I am.
However, do I want in ten years to look back and say, "why didn't I just do that ? "  THIS IS THE TIME !

On our last trip, to my great delight, I found a studio in Rome. "Monia's Rhythm Tap" Corsi e Spettacoli di Tip-Tap  "  where I went to check out the studio.  It is located in a great little theatre near the Coliseum and....it has the best floor I have ever heard !  SO, the plan is, to go in September and take a few classes, and, who knows, maybe do a year end show with them, if I qualify.  I met Monia, and she was great, she reminded me of Shelley Stewart-Hunt, our choreographer for Heart and Sole, the group I dance with here.

Monia seemed like a no-nonsense, lets get to it, instructor, but very skillful in her critique of people.
The class I watched was rehearsing for their year-end show, and looked like it was various levels, so I
am hopeful to get in !

So, I am slowly preparing for the move overseas, getting our place in order to rent, but, in the meantime,
one more year end show here to do.  We are doing two numbers, one is Boogie-Woogey-Bugleboy, an old
classic, but fun to do, and a newer number called "That Man" by Caro Emerald, a real sassy number which I loved from the start.  I actually heard it first in Italy, and found out it was a Dutch singer.  I sent the video to Shelley, and she said, "Lets do it !"

Both of these numbers very fast, which I love, but sometimes my body doesn't ! (More Ibuprofen please !)

Since I have been away for almost two months, I missed the choreography for the " That Man " number, so, that being said, I have to go now and rehearse !  Videos and photos to come !!

Ciao for now, will keep you posted !!