Every Tuesday evening, Annie Weaver embarks on a nostalgic journey to Holt, a small town near Lansing. Her destination is Karyn’s Dance Place, the studio where she first fell in love with dance, particularly tap. The associate director of global initiatives at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business recalls her childhood days of learning ballet, jazz, and most importantly, tap. “I loved tap right away,” Weaver said. “I could get the rhythms. I could get the footwork. It felt innate to me.”
Weaver’s dance story began at age 3 when her mother enrolled her in ballet classes at Karyn’s studio. She soon discovered jazz and tap, with tap quickly becoming her favorite. The appeal of tap dance was its unique rhythm and sound, which seemed to resonate with her naturally. Unlike ballet and jazz, which demanded flexibility, tap felt intuitive to her.
In high school, Weaver immersed herself in dance, working at the studio’s front desk to take extra classes for free. She fondly remembers her senior year tap solo at a company recital, performing to “The Tonight Show” theme song in a suit jacket and cherished tap shoes that she wore until they disintegrated.
Weaver’s passion for tap extended beyond high school as she attended Central Michigan University and later graduate school in Nebraska. Living in Illinois for a decade, she sought local dance studios to maintain her tap skills and build community. She discovered varied tap styles and techniques, broadening her understanding of the dance form.
Returning to Michigan three years ago, Weaver resumed classes at her old studio after her husband took a position at U-M. She reconnected with her childhood friend Leah, whom she met through dance. Together, they now attend adult classes on Tuesday evenings, rekindling their shared passion for dance.
For Weaver, tap offers more than movement; it provides a creative outlet and a break from her screen-heavy work at Ross. The dance not only keeps her mind fresh but also strengthens her connections to her hometown, friends, and the childhood passion that continues to bring her joy.
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