For the past year, Huntingdon resident Julie Girard has been offering line-dancing classes to the community through her Moonlight Stomp Company. “I’ve been dancing for almost five years now. It’s just a passion, and I guess I wanted to share the passion with everybody,” she says.
When Girard realized that she had such a strong passion for line dancing, she noticed that there wasn’t really a place offering classes in the area. She wanted to create a space where people could come, learn, and have a good time. “The point was not to start a business and make money,” she says; rather, it was to find people who would enjoy dancing with her. For her lessons, she researches and creates her own dances so she can offer a unique experience.
Her classes now usually range from about 20 to 30 students. One challenge is that there are few locations in the Valley that have enough space for larger groups. Though it might feel packed for now, she says, “I like it small because it allows me more time with everybody. I can go one by one and then give them more advice. I’m really on the dance floor with them.”
She emphasizes that these classes really are a workout, but they are very social. “I see people that don’t know each other and they create friendships … they see each other every week,” Girard says. “It’s nice to see people coming out of their shell a little bit more,” she adds.
Girard loves seeing the way that people commit to line dancing. Since she started teaching, she has seen a huge improvement in many of her students, but she has also seen people become more confident and committed to what they are doing. Her favourite part has been “seeing somebody that just started who is unsure and then seeing that person improve in a dance. They just open up and just start dancing,” she explains.
Classes generally happen a few times per week, at the Brasserie in Huntingdon on Sundays, and the United Church on Fridays. They cost five dollars per hour. Girard encourages people to sign up in advance as “a commitment to themselves.” In the new year, the town of Huntingdon will also be offering line dancing classes. Girard also offers classes in other towns. To keep up with what’s available, visit Moonlightstomp.com or Moonlight Stomp Company on Facebook.