Instructor offers dance lessons every Friday in Litchfield Park by Frank Morris,
staff writer - Nov. 30, 2007, The West Valley View So, you think you can dance? Whether you've got the moves or not,
there's something to be learned from dance lessons with Matt Karr, the veteran dancer said. |
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Karr, 57, of Glendale has been dancing since he was 20. Now he's hoping to spread the joy of dance to the West Valley
with Friday night lessons beginning next week in Litchfield Park.
"The thing that I have learned, and the greatest thing I have learned, is the benefits people get from dancing,"
Karr said. "Besides learning an art and learning how to dance, the benefits outweigh that tremendously." Through
dance, small miracles can happen, he said. "It's just exercise, but it's exercise with confidence, and
we're making them feel good," Karr said. One of his students, Linda Neal, can vouch for that. "It's
really changed my life around. I've been taking lessons for almost one and a half years. It's really changed my attitude,
how I look at life, how I take care of myself," the 54-year-old Goodyear woman said. "It's helped me with my
body image; I'm more positive; I've made friends. I went from feeling kind of dowdy to downright sassy." That's
one of many success stories Karr has heard from his students, he said. |
Anyone can dance
Neal also praised Karr for his ability to cater to individual
needs.
"Everything he does is to make the student feel good and highlight the student: how far they want to go,
what their abilities are; he has so many years of experience, he doesn't make the same mistakes newer teachers make,"
she said.
Karr has taught at Fred Astaire Dance Studio for 10 years, operated two dance schools and has offered dance
lessons on his own for the past 15 years.
Before taking up ballroom dancing, he tried his hand - or foot, rather -
in ballet for three years.
"The lessons are really not about me. As long as I taught good lessons and I give them
a fun time, and I give the benefits out of dancing, it doesn't matter," Karr said.
The experienced dancer
hopes his Friday night lessons become a hit with West Valley residents.
"Places on the east side get 225 to 250
people. That's what I'm hoping for. There's really no place for people to go right now," he said. "I
expect by the end of the first year, ballroom dance floors will be hopping."
During his courses, Karr will be
accompanied by two other instructors to offer lessons in ballroom, Latin, swing and country dancing starting at 7 p.m. every
Friday beginning Dec. 7 in the cafeteria of Litchfield Elementary School, 13825 W. Wigwam Blvd. in Litchfield Park.
The
classes are available for students of all ages and abilities, he said. "I'm 57, and I'm still throwing ladies
over my head."
Cost is $15 per person, and no partner is needed.
To learn about the Friday night dance
lessons, visit www.socialdancelessons.com, or contact Karr at 602-694-4088, or at karbo5887@msn.com.
Frank Morris
can be reached by e-mail at fmorris@westvalleyview.com.
