Blake Banta’s students were pumped up and ready to do their dance routine on a recent afternoon.
They heard the music and their feet began to tap, their bodies swiveling from side to side.
If Banta would have told them two years ago that they not only would be dancing to hip hop but also pulling together their own show, they would have run for the hills.
The students may be a little older than you might expect.
Meet the Sassy Steppers.
This is a group of 10 women between the ages of 60 and 90 who are keeping up with the times and getting lively and spirited with hip hop music, and dancing their way to good health.
That’s right. the members of the dance group have traded in the more subdued stretching workouts for new moves of hip hop.
“Dancing helps us with coordination and balance,” said 73 year-old Justine Kern. “And it is a great social experience,” she said.
And the group’s name?
“At our age we can’t be sexy anymore,” said Kern with a chuckle.
“And we don’t want to be thought of as cute either,” said 92 year-old Peggy Adams.
“Sassy is more like it,” Adams said.
Coaching choreographer Banta says the seniors master the complex steps as well as people half their age.
“But it just takes a little bit longer and I watch to make sure the moves are done safely,” she said.
The Sassy Steppers will be performing in the may dance show at the Hershey Theatre.
“Some of the ladies are new to dancing and some others are experienced,” said Banta. “This is their challenge to grab life, chase dreams, and get in shape. They truly are an inspiration to other women.”
The group practices every Thursday at the E-dance Center in Elizabethtown.
“We do this because we absolutely love it,” said Adams.
Adams is vision impaired. She said she loves music and even took dance lessons as a child.
“She can hardly see but Peggy listens to the instructions and follows directions carefuly,” said Banta.
“This is definitely a foot in the right direction. It does something to your personality and it keeps you young at heart,” she said. “It’s good for the body but also for the mind.”
When she dances, Adams said, she’s young again. that seems to be the case for all these women.
“We hope to be setting an example to younger, sedentary women as well,” said Barbara Groce.
“Dancing should not be something to dread. this is something you can do,” said Carole Pickel.
And throughout the class, they’re smiling and sweating, and that’s a combination worth learning for these ladies.
Because when they dance, they are 21 forever.
ebetancourt@lnpnews.com
Dancing to hip-hop keeps these ladies feeling sassy
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