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.