On September 11th, 2001 my life was forever changed.  My brother and only sibling Guy was working on the 103rd floor for Cantor Fitzgerald.  Not a single person from that company made it out that day...including my brother.  He was only 29 years old.  Naturally in the days, months and years that would follow depression took over me. I lost all direction, all sense of self and I knew that I would never experience any feeling of joy or happiness again.  One day in October of 2004 I went to see the movie "Shall We Dance" with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.  While I was watching the movie I felt a surge of excitement that I hadn't felt in years.  I left the movie went directly home and called the first dance studio I could find and booked a dance lesson for the very next day.  I took my dance lesson and for the first time in years I felt happy again.  Exuberant in fact.  It was similar to the feeling of falling in love.  I had never known you could experience that type of feeling for something other than another human being.  But I did.  I was totally in love.  I was in love with the dance. I felt happy, I had meaning, I had a reason to get up in the morning.  Yes this experience was that fulfilling and that dramatic.  I had a new sense of hope. 

Or so I thought...

In August of 2004 my father was diagnosed with lung cancer.  The eight months before he passed away it was my dance lessons that got me through.  I knew that in order to maintain some sense of sanity and to stay strong for my father I had to make some time for myself and do something that I found some joy in.  I didn't find much time to dance during that time as most of my time was spent in the hospital by my fathers side.  But the few times I did it rejuvenated me and made me stronger through that unbelievably difficult time.  And then once he did pass away it was my dance lessons that kept me together and what still keeps me together until this very day.

I'm not a professional dancer with thousands of gold medals.  I have never won a professional dance competition although I have competed at the amateur level...just for the thrill of it.  Dancing literally saved my life and as a result I became the new sole owner of SoHo Dance.  I knew if I had a dance studio I could change other people's lives through dance.  I know when students walk through the door they are about to have the best most joyous and fulfilling time of their week. I'm certain that their only thoughts and feelings will be pure euphoria.  And I’m not being dramatic when I say that.  No matter what is taking place in my life, when I dance I am whole, fulfilled…I am invincible

There is truly nothing more rewarding as when students come up me after a lesson and enthusiastically show me the moves they've learned. I can see the joy in their eyes. That's why I do this. Dance has physical, mental, and emotional benefits. It makes you look better and feel more self-confident, and even widen your social circle.  It gives you hope and a true sense of meaning and inspiration when there is nothing else.  I'm a true testament to that. Dancing brought me back to life. And I love knowing I'm giving that back to other people.