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The St. Louis
Strutters & Company
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Pat
2/4/1933 |
"I wish everyone could experience
the joy that dance brings to one's life."
Pat is an original Strutter and was crowned Senior
Ms. Missouri in 1995. She began dancing professionally by age 12
doing television banquets, fairs and clubs. She taught dance and
gymnastics for 18 years, and choreographed for charitable organizations.
She received The Outstanding Talent Award at the National
Senior American competition in 1995, and is an active member of
The Women's Variety Club.
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"In
dancing there's joy -the happiness keeps us young forever!"
Marcene
danced as a child and through the years for fun, performing in many
amateur shows. As a cancer survivor and the need to strengthen her
body, she began to study and teach tap dancing. Marcene was accepted
into The St. Louis Strutters in 1992, which added a totally new dimension
to her life. In 1999 she was encouraged by her dance group to enter
the Ms. Missouri Sr. Pageant and was crowned Queen on June 26, 1999
in Columbia, Mo. In The Classic Woman Pageant held in Delaware in
September 1999, Marcene was 2cnd runner up. Through the years she
has passionately involved herself in world of volunteerism, and received
many awards and honors for her tireless and enthusiastic devotion
to her community and fellow man. |
Marcene
6/5/1937
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"What a thrill to dance and be
a part of a life that brings joy to others as well as ourselves."
Marlene was crowned runner up in the 1996 Senior
Ms. Missouri pageant. She began dancing at age 5 and was teaching
by age 14. She was featured in special productions for Ralston Purina,
and sang and danced at popular area showrooms all while raising
five sons. She choreographed and participated in fund raising parent
productions for a local private high school for 18 years. She has
been a Strutter since 1988 and was named Ms. Congeniality
in the Senior Ms. Missouri pageant of 1996.
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Marlene
9/6/1934 |
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Debbie
7/15/1954
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"You can dance anywhere, even if
only in your heart."
Debbie began taking dance classes at the tender
age of five. She continued through her senior year of high school
performing with the St. Louis Civic Ballet, Dance Company of St.
Charles, and many other recitals and venues, in addition to teaching
classes. She then married here husband of 28 years and raised four
beautiful children. Her first child started taking classes at age
three, enticing Debbie to return to the world of dance. Since then
she has performed on the Muny stage, local TV shows, musicals, and
choreographed award winning tap and jazz dances, while still teaching
nine classes a week. Performing with The Strutters and putting smiles
on faces is a dream come true, and Debbie looks forward to tap dancin'
for years to come!
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"Life's most beautiful blossom
is friendship, and I found a whole bouquet in dance."
Jan began in the Community Theater at a very young
age. She participated in choral programs and danced and sang through
college. She taught dance lessons and performed shows and was a
corporate member of "The Hot Flashes" in Tucson, Arizona.
Since joining The Strutters in 1992, Jan has also taught Senior
Citizens at St. Lukes Hospital and choreographed their Millennium
Show.
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Janice
8/4/1931 |
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Bev
4/19/1939 |
"'Tap' into your inner being and
reclaim more energy, vitality and love through dance."
Bev began dancing and roller-skating as a child
competing in dance recitals and roller-skating freestyle and pair
dancing competitions throughout the Midwest.
After raising a family and a fulfilling career as a professional
fundraiser and development director for nonprofit organizations,
Bev returned to tap dancing. In recent years she has performed solo
and group tap dancing routines in the annual St. Louis Senior Olympics
Tap Dancing Competition receiving multiple gold medals
In 2002, Bev's dream of dancing with the St. Louis Strutters became
a reality when she was invited to join the group. She encourages
seniors of all ages to stay physically fit, maintain flexibility
and above all to keep a 'PMA - Positive Mental Attitude. In 2006,
Bev was name first runner-up and Ms. Congeniality in the Ms. Senior
Missouri Pagaent.
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"My love of tap dancing while giving
back to my community is a true blessing."
Donna began dancing at the age of three performing
in programs and shows throughout the St.Louis community. She continued
her performances in dance and later on as a cheerleader through
her high school years.
After a career as a hairdresser and raising a family, Donna pursued
a career in the field of nursing. She returned to tap dancing to
perform in musicals at local community colleges.
Donna joined the Strutters in 2002. She fulfills her dream of combining
her love of dance with the desire to bring joy and happiness to
others through charitable giving.
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Donna
2/3/1950
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"Dance
brings pleasure to both the dancer and the observer. May dance always
be a part of me."
Judy began dancing
at age five and was teaching by 14. During high school and college
she performed in, and choreographed for numerous musicals and community
theatre. While living in Italy for two years she continued teaching
dance. Since 1968 she has performed a juggling act of raising four
children, operating a pre-school, and teaching dance and fitness classes.
In 1995 and 2002 she was named Teacher of the Year by CACS. She is
a past member of Dance Masters, is currently certified by the American
Council on Exercise (ACE), and is a Licensed Message Therapist (LMT).
Judy was pleased to become a Strutter in 2005. |
"Life
is a dance and the world is it's stage. Live, love, and dance."
Jan began dancing at age 7 and teaching at 15. She
performed tap, ballet, and acrobats in many recitals, festivals, hospitals,
and community events. A highlight in her career was performing at
the Dance Masters of America National Convention in Hollywood, CA.
After a career in nursing, Jan returned to her first love of tap dancing
where she performed in a variety of musical productions throughout
St. Louis. Her dream of becoming a Strutter became a reality when
she was invited to join the group in 2002. Jan was crowned Senior
Ms. Missouri in 2005. |
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"A
dancer is born, and a nonstop life of love begins."
Dolores began performing in vaudeville shows and night
clubs with a live orchestra at a young age. She operated her own school
of dance for 25 years; teaching tap/ballet/jazz/choreography. She
has been associated with The Community Theater, Chamber of Commerce
- Business and Professional Women, Dance Masters of America, and an
original Strutter. As a personal career highlight, she performed in
1946 for President Harry Truman at The Caruthersville, Missouri County
Fair. She also placed first runner up in the 1998 Ms. Missouri Classic
Woman, and has won gold medals in the Show Me State Games of America
in 1998 and 1999. |
Dolores
7/6/1926
Founding Member
(retired)
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Susan
5/24/1943
Retired
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"Dance
is the enthusiasm of my heart; music keeps my pulse."
Susie started dance at 5 years of age, by 12 she
appeared with The Royal Ballet's production of "Sleeping Beauty".
She also was a performer in "Swan Lake" and was soon a
member of Actors Equity with The Muny Opera for seven years with
principal dance roles. The following years Susie spent dancing in
New York including shows on National television. She innovated a
dance program for Parkway public schools and taught classic ballet
and performed for The Metropolitan Ballet Co. A Strutter since 1998,
Susie also teaches low impact aerobics for seniors, promoting fitness
as a way of life. |
"Life
itself is but a dance, performed to each person's inner melody."
Dancing has defined Edell's life since her early childhood.
She has always taught and performed as a dancer, including traveling
with USO shows and choreographing countless college productions. After
a career and family, she has rediscovered the joy of dancing by becoming
a member of The Strutters. Edell was crowned Ms. Senior Missouri for
2001. |
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Anita
1/6/1941
Founding Member
(deceased) |
"The heartbeat
is America and dance keeps the rhythm."
Anita first appeared on stage tapping at 2 years of age. She continued
lessons before opening her own studio at 13 and taught for 7 years.
In addition to performing professionally at The Muny Opera she choreographed
productions for college and philanthropic sorority theatricals. She
was presented the Outstanding Young Woman in Philanthropic
Work award. She currently owns a theatrical supply and costume
shop. As an original Strutter, Anita maintains the distinction of
being the tallest, but no longer is the baby of the troupe. |
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