"Remember, It Is Just A Silly Dance!"

Yesterday A Home Wrecker, Today A Country Western Dance Instructor!

Yes, Yes, I am a retired Housemoving and Demolition Contractor. I used to tease people that I was a Licensed Home Wrecker. It was true! I keep my license on inactive...just in case. Before that I was an Insurance Agent. I was in Insurance and Real Estate for 15 years the last 3 years I worked in an office that had no windows before I went bananas and quit. Then Housemoving, go figure.

Retirement is relaxing, calming and boring. I had always danced, but not as a scheduled activity, only as an outlet. In 1983 a friend talked me into going out dancing at Circle D (later renamed PJs Country Connection). Frustration is the first word that comes to mind. It had been a long time since anyone had told me what to do, and this instructor was telling me where and when to put my feet! Goooood Luck! After a surprisingly short period of time, I actually started catching on; will wonders never cease. Being the type A personality that I am, it was dancing five nights a week. I was afraid of missing something. I wanted to know it all.

Within a year I was assisting in the instructing. The music was always a first love, but I had to polish up my research and memory habits. I hit all the clubs and several private lessons observing how other instructors taught. I talked with anyone that would listen and took notes. Piles of notes. Mostly what people did or did not like about the instructing. In the process, I have been very fortunate to have made life long friends. The easy part was listening to the great music. Oh my, it was just awful hard work ! ha ha! The music classes I took were hard work. You find out how little you know.

One night as I was getting ready to assist in the teaching, I was told I was to teach all by myself. The Instructor's wife had gone to the hospital to have their baby...(a bouncing baby girl by the name of Jennifer). Fear is another word that comes to mind. I couldn't think of one dance to teach, let alone the first step UNTIL I opened my mouth. I have been told I haven't shut it since. I love teaching. The look on the students face when it finally clicks is worth a million bucks. The people I meet, the music I hear and the fun we have is what life is all about.

Teaching Country Western Dancing is a great responsibility. There are so many dances that it boggles the mind. What a challenge! I love to dance, but my husband does not dance one step. He says he doesn't worry about his wife -she is not on the streets, she is just in the bars. Line dancing has made it possible for me and others like me to enjoy the wonderful Country Music. For that reason, I lean more toward the line dances, but also love the couples dances because of the team work it takes to make it look good. Also the more variety, the more fun.

As important as the dance step is; Dance Floor Etiquette and Courtesy is equally important. With more and more newcomers to the dance floor, it is increasingly urgent for the dance instructor to teach and the club owner to support Dance Floor Etiquette and Courtesy. In my classes, we have a lot of fun and I want to be sure everyone has a good time with out a hassle. The students should be able to feel confident that you have done everything in your power to help them go out on the dance floor. Remember it is just a silly dance! Have Fun! It's easy when you love what you do!

I am currently working at Saddle Rock, El Cajon, California 2 nights a week. This year (1997), with the closure of PJ's Country Connection, I decided to cut down just a bit. I am being drawn into another business in a totally different field and need a little more time. The dance team "PJ's Country Dancer's, that I originated and direct are still going strong. We have won all the local awards/certificates many times over and have been told we cannot compete again for them. Which is understandable in order to get others involved. So we have been put on the honor rolls, which is just as nice, but not competitive. However, our team just won the 1997 State of California Title (an event run by the California Chapter of the CMA). At this time, I have them working on my new choreographed Waltz that I think is absolutely gorgeous. Boy, are they working hard. Out of the 18 couples only 8 to 10 couples will be performing it in public so we have competition within our borders. We are still doing all of the local Hospitals, children's homes, convalescent homes, senior's club's, etc. for that was my original intent in beginning, to give back to the community.

Contact Jeannie Woolman: (Dance Director for PJ's Country Dancer's)
E-Mail:CWdcer@aol.com
E-Mail:CWdancer@msn.com