from Lisa Dopke-Tuck
So honored to be invited to the reunion!
When I attended USC, there wasn’t a dance major. My instructors noticed I was taking alot of dance classes. They told me they didn’t have a dance major, but they would use my class selection to create one! There were two of us who graduated that first year. It was so crazy those last few weeks. I had nightmares that I wouldn’t receive a diploma. One class in particular I had to teach a class of football and basketball players. Flexibility and rhythm are key for alot of sports. I had some big names in my class! They told their coach my class was brutal. Harder than they expected! It still makes me smile to think about them sitting on the floor trying to touch their toes!
Recently I checked what classes were required for a current dance major. It reads almost identical to my classes after all these years. So I guess that’s my one claim to fame.
So excited to see the new facilities at USC. We were limited to one room upstairs in the athletics building. I have wanted to go back and see the changes. Haven’t had the opportunity. Still hope to go some day.
I remember Carol Montez. Such a beautiful lady, and a sharp ballroom dancer. A couple of my peers and instructors wanted to dance like her. I was dancing with the jitterbug team. I think Jimmy McDivitt was my partner for tryouts. Loved dancing with him! So much fun! I ended up with someone else for performances. I was too short for Jimmy! Don’t remember why, but our team was televised for a local channel. My parents were so surprised to see their daughter on tv dancing!
I would love to see everyone again. I will try to come to the reunion. I am still in California, so not a huge commute. Please
send me information. I am including my email address below.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
Lisa Dopke-Tuck
1974-1979