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FANCY FOOTWORK
Local Dancing School Students Perform For Elderly
By Kim Fink
When 13-year-old Sarah Williams entered Manchester Manor Rehabilitation Facility on Saturday, it was not for the sole purpose of visiting her grandmother, Kathryn.
She was coming to perform.
Dance shoes in hand, Sarah ran to meet her fellow classmates from Lakehurst's Avenue to Broadway School of Dance, who were already preparing to entertain residents of the extended care facility with an hour of jazz, ballet, tap and hip hop dance.
"The girls are very excited about today's performance," said Dawn Betts, the school's office administrator and organizer of the event. "We really love to get the kids involved in the community and show them how important it is to give back, especially for those children who don't have exposure to the elderly and don't understand the needs they have. It's also a great way for the girls to show off their skills and be in front of an audience."
And strut their stuff they did. The 50 or so residents in attendance cheered happily as the dancers performed for them in the dining hall of the facility. The dance floor got smaller and smaller as the residents, most of whom are wheel- chair bound, filled the room.
 | | --Photos By Kim Fink Students from the Avenue to Broadway School of Dance recently entertained residents of Manchester Manor, including Kathryn Williams, shown at right with her granddaughter, Sarah, a dancer. |
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"It was a small space and we were a little squished but it worked out fine," said 12-year-old tap dancer Breanna Betts. "It was fun but the floor was really slippery. We were sliding a little bit but thankfully nobody fell."
As the show progressed it was hard to determine who was having more fun, the dancers or the audience. Eighty-two-year-old Manchester Manor resident Robert Earlin could hardly contain his excitement as he smiled and clapped along to the music.
"I used to be a dancer once myself," said Earlin. "I remember tap dancing with my sisters when I was just a boy. I was good at it too."
Friend and fellow resident John Cutrufello nodded in agreement and added that he too really enjoyed watching the young dancers.
"We're lucky that we get such wonderful entertainment here. It means so much to us to see the children. It's what keeps us going," Cutrufello said.
The show ended with a final dance by Avenue to Broadway's advanced tap class, then the students scattered to meet the residents. Sarah Williams' grandmother, Kathryn, was one of the first to hug the young dancer.
"She did great," Williams boasted. "She was a little nervous at first but after she got over that she was good. I really enjoyed the show."
Kristen Barker, owner of the dance school, feels it is her responsibility to make sure her students are sensitive to the needs of the elderly and use their talents to bring happiness to those who need it.
"We are committed to the development of our students' character and civic responsibility," Barker said, "and believe students will find an intrinsic passion in displaying their talents and sharing their passion to perform in front of an audience of community members."
Keeping in line with the commitment to community and area neighbors, Avenue to Broadway will also be holding a free Wine and Cheese Party open to all area residents over the age of 21 which will feature representatives from many local businesses.
"We've worked very hard at this and have about 20 local businesses and home consultants coming to talk to guests and hand out literature. It's going to be a huge event and we're expecting a great turnout," said Betts.
Avenue to Broadway's Wine and Cheese Party will be held on February 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information or to ask about enrollment, contact Dawn Betts at 732-323- 3232.
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