Dance school owner honored
A Butler businesswoman was recently recognized for 50 years of membership in Dance Masters of America, an international organization that has been certifying dance teachers to teach by test since 1884, according to its Web site.
Lee Garrard, 68, of Butler, owner of Lee's School of Dance and The Dance Connection, both on West Penn Street, was awarded a plaque and 50-year pin at an awards ceremony for the D.M.A. on July 19 in Orlando, Fla.
Presented at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort by Mimi Costa-White, the national president of the D.M.A., Garrard and two other women were honored at the banquet with the 50-year memberships, though Garrard said the organization had a total of 10 members who hit this 50-year mark this year.
"What a great opportunity this is to receive this," Garrard said. "It's such an honor and an accomplishment, and I am humbled by it."
At the banquet, Garrard said she spoke about her disbelief that the organization would grow so large from the organization that she joined as a teenager.
"I don't feel 68 years old," Garrard said. "I guess dance keeps you young."
A previous president of the D.M.A. of Pennsylvania, as well as serving as the national president of the D.M.A. from 2002 to 2004, Garrard said she has always been very involved in the organization. She said this is not only to develop herself to give the best she can to her students, but also to give back to the world of dance.
"I feel when one takes from something you have to give back to it, and I love giving back to dance through this organization," she said.
An active member, Garrard said while she doesn't require her teachers, all former students, to be certified through D.M.A, she did say she encourages it.
"To be certified by Dance Masters is a pretty prestigious title," Garrard said.
"Dance grows and the D.M.A. has always wanted to grow with dance and give teachers the newest and latest innovations," she said.
Garrard, who has been dancing since she was 3 years old, said this year also marks her 50th year of teaching in Butler.
