Dancing to Miss Coleman was not just a profession. It was a dedication. No less than
half a dozen of her pupils have gone on with the dance to star in Broadway musicals,
in television shows or to gain some higher recognition. Others from the rank and file
of her dance classes have become dance teachers and are operating their own studios.
According to Miss Coleman's philosophy, the dance teacher says her real aim is not to
turn out automatic, professional dancers, but, a hope "to give something of beauty,
something of God, to each child they teach."
Although the "Florence Coleman School of Dancing" is no longer operating we wanted
to let other students of other dance studios around the country know that our studio
is a testament to others that with hard work you can obtain greatness in this profession!
Among Miss Coleman's students who went on to study in New York were "Tad" Tadlock
who obtained greatness in New York as a performer in the ever popular late television
show "The Hit Parade." She went on to become a successful dance choreographer. There
is a special page for Tad.
Barbara Putnam and Helen Wood, two others taught by Miss Coleman, attained much
recognition; the former as a recording artist and dance and soloist at New York supper
clubs and the latter as the star of several movies and Broadway shows.
George Foster, another former dance student, was assistant choreographer for the Ice
Capades of 1968. Foster, former Broadway and movie star, was also dance director and
assistant to Ernie Plott on many television shows including the Gary Moore Show.
Charles Ray Goeddertz, known professionally as "Chuck Williams;" appeared with his
former teacher, Miss Coleman, in recitals here in Port Arthur.
Harry Fitzner started as a student of the Florence Coleman School of Dancing when he
was nine years old. When he went to New York after High School he worked with "Ballet
Concepts" and appeared with Equity Summer Stock for 17 weeks in 1965 and danced on
the enormous outdoor stage of the famed Municipal Opera of St. Louis. He also appeared
with Jack Soo and Hazel Weber Steck, former Port Arthurian, in "Flower Drum Song."
Harry is once again taking tap lessons to "keep in shape."
(pictures provided on tap dance page)
Nancy (Norris) Gondron started dancing lessons in 1943 and took until she finished
high school in 1956. Then she moved to New York and studied there a couple of years
and came home, opened studio, taught a couple of years, got married, got pregnant,
and quit until she taught again for the Houston Civic Ballet/Margo Marshall's where
her daughter studied while they lived in Houston. Nancy is once again teaching on a
part time basis. Another student who continued with the dance on a professional level.
(pictures provided on ballet page)
Carolyn (Burke) Bigler studied tap and ballet for three years in the early forties,
ballroom while in junior high and continued with the dance in college. She studied
middle eastern dance and disco in Irving, Texas at Northlake Community College.
While living in Kalamazoo, Michigan she was a member of the Baraka Dance Troup
which performed at area festivals and on television for free TV lessons. While living
in Hawaii, Carolyn accomplished a childhood dream and studied the hula. As the only
haole (white person), she performed with the halau (hula troup) for their Christmas
performance in December 2001 at Ala Moana Center Stage. Some students continue
even though not as a profession.
(pictures provided on ballet page)
Note: Text provided by Harry Fitzner. Thanks Harry!
|
