Older Sea Cliff adults enjoyed three dance performances put on by instructors and students from Ballroom Legacy at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church during the afternoon of Feb. 11
“It’s a great way for people to see what we do; there is no limit to the age; I think everybody can dance,” Ballroom Legacy owner Veronika Simeonova said. “If you can walk, you can dance,”
Ballroom Legacy has been a staple in the Sea Cliff community since 2005, offering a variety of individual and group dance classes to clients across Long Island.
The studio, located at 185 Glen Cove Ave., has gained a reputation for being welcoming to people of all ages and abilities, with a focus on fun, fitness, and connection through dance.
Simeonova and David Ting kicked off the performances with a tango. Ting, an 83 year old from western Connecticut, has been taking classes with Simeonova for over 20 years.
Following Ting and Simeonova was a rumba dance done by Alexander Kostic and Angela Howard. Howard, an 80-year-old Glen Cove woman, has been a student at Ballroom Legacy for over ten years. Kostic, a coach at the studio, has been teaching there for over 15 years.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to support the Sea Cliff community,” Kostic said after the performance. “We’ve been a part of it for over 20 years having a business in this community. It’s nice to contribute something that people can enjoy”
Ballroom dancing is one of the activities that some doctors have argued can help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, according to Kostic.
“It’s so cognitive and physical, very few activities can match that,” Kostic said. “It’s really a wonderful opportunity for anyone to do.”
The final performance was done by Simeonova and Kyle Erickosn, a 34 year old from Glen Head. The duo finished the showcase with a ballroom dance with an umbrella.
“It was an awesome dance,” Erickosn said after finishing his performance. Erickosn described his dance as “Singing in the Rain” without the rain.
Before the event, the older adults attending were treated to a lunch followed by desserts. After the performances, a raffle was held.
The performance is part of a larger effort by Tracy Arnold Warzer, Sea Cliff senior citizen program development specialist, to offer a wide range of programs and activities for seniors.
Warzer has said that her goal is to create an age-friendly community where seniors can actively participate in events and feel connected to their neighbors.
After the performances, Warzer announced that Ballroom Legacy would offer three classes over the next three Fridays at a discounted rate for senior citizens.
