A Legacy of Dance

“The minute I walked in the dance area and saw kids dancing on hard tile, I knew this was it.” Denny Toll reflects on his first visit to Quality Life Center in 2012.

After his wife passed away in 2010, Denny was looking for a way to honor her. Barbara Toll loved to dance. In college, she studied education and dance.  She worked at Wheeling High School in Illinois where she was a P.E. teacher, a tennis coach and ran a successful dance program called Orchesis, then taught math.

It started with a dance floor. Not just any wood floor, but a beautiful bamboo dance floor.

With mirrors, ballet barres and an audio system, we had the Quality Life Center Dance Studio.

In memory of Barbara Braude Toll.

It doesn’t end there. Denny has facilitated other opportunities and exposures to the children of Quality Life Center. Including trying out and dancing with the Moscow Ballet for The Great Russian Nutcracker.

And most recently, exposing children to the jaw-dropping spectacle of The Lion King.

His wife inspired and encouraged the dreams of her students. Denny is carrying on her legacy. Asked if he is achieving his goal, Denny said it's not about him. "I’m not accomplishing this. They [the kids] are. They are working hard, and hopefully enjoying themselves. I KNOW they can achieve greatness. In dance and in life.”

We couldn't agree more.

"The Lion King" Cast Member on Dancing and Singing in Zulu

There are a lot of dancers and actors in the world. Only 52 of them have put in the time, hard work and developed the talent that allows them to be in Fort Myers right now, performing in Disney's The Lion King. Shacura Wade is one of them.

The Lion King's “Get Up and Go” campaign which promotes fun ways that kids can lead healthier lifestyles brought Lion King ensemble dancer Ms. Wade to Quality Life Center.

She talked to students about eating habits, and told them that eating a lot of vegetables makes her feel better and keeps her energized. Students could only imagine the energy and hard work needed to perform the choreography for multiple characters day after day while living on the road.

Ms. Wade plays different characters in the show, including a zebra, lioness, hyena and is part of the dance ensemble in "One by One." She led students through some stretches, and an activity that involved both movement and listening carefully to directions.

Then it was on to choreography!

As she taught children the dance moves for "He Lives in You," Ms. Wade talked about the meaning of the song, and how Simba used it to deal with the death of his father.

She let them in on some secrets such as how Scar's head moves, and how the actress playing the cheetah is able to get the puppet's feline movements to match hers. 

We also learned that six indigenous African languages are spoken throughout the musical. Ms. Wade gave us a demonstration of a song sung in Zulu.

Physical fitness and good nutrition have taken Ms. Wade far (a bachelor's degree in fine arts and lots of motivation and hard work didn't hurt either!). Thank you, Ms. Wade for your inspiration! 

Brown Girls Dance

When people see brown girls dance, they think hip hop. The performing arts program at Quality Life Center introduces students to multiple genres of dance, beginning with ballet. With the solid foundation of technique learned in ballet, students gain a strong base for learning other styles. Like most dance studios, Q students practice in leotards.

From the moment I saw a picture of ballerinas with brown leotards, I knew I wanted them for my dancers. I was excited opening the package, and began helping the girls find the shade of brown to match their skin.

“This looks like poop,” said one student.

It was time for a chat.

How to convince young brown girls to embrace their skin color? That everybody’s color is beautiful? That they are beautiful? While it is finally at least possible to find beautiful representations of women of color in magazines and movies, it is also true that the market for skin-lightening cream is still booming.

The performing arts program at the Q is meant to provide exposure and instruction in different types of dance to students of any shade and any body shape. But the goals also include confidence and self-esteem. So I sat with these children, and together we talked about their differences, their value, and what makes each of them unique and beautiful.

When the dancers put on their leotards and walked across the beach for their photo shoot, you could see the confidence in their posture, in the way they moved. They exhibited not just acceptance of the richness of their complexions, but strength and beauty.

THAT is the power of performing arts. You can catch Q dancers at various events throughout the year, including Martin Luther King Day at Centennial Park, ArtFest, and at the Q’s summer camp performance of Lion King in August.

Keesha Allen is the Performing Arts Director at Quality Life Center