A Spotlight On (edited) conversation with Sheffi Shapira, Marie Feigl and Naomi Gordon, tutors of Multicultural Dance – Hoppa Hey. Including comments from some of the students.
I attended the class at the South Melbourne Community Centre where I was able to converse with the tutors, observe the class and meet with some students over lunch.
Sheffi holds a Graduate Diploma in Movement and Dance (University of Melbourne) He also co-delivered the Recreational Folk Dancing Certificate from Ausdance Australia
Naomi (Noni) is an Occupational Therapist (Past Senior Clinician in Gerontology.) Naomi has used her extensive dance experience to choreograph and teach dance sessions in hospital and community settings.
Marie holds a Graduate Diploma in Movement and Dance (University of Melbourne and a Recreational Folk Dance Teaching Certificate from Ausdance Australia.
How and when did you decide to put together Multicultural Dance – Hoppa Hey for U3APP members?
Sheffi: We commenced the class about 6 years ago. At that time, I had in mind to create a group environment, where we could dance as well as do exercises.
Was the group popular from the start or did it build up gradually?
Sheffi: Well, it wasn’t popular at first. On some days we only had 6 participants and 3 teachers.
So, how did you manage to build up the class? Currently you have 55 members registered.
Sheffi: (laughing) By smiling, and encouragement.
Noni: It has built up over time through “word of mouth.” People enjoyed this new experience and word got around that it was fun to be in this class.
Although students are learning new techniques and dances, they are also enjoying themselves, having fun. This year the membership has just boomed.
Sheffi: It was important to me that this U3APP class would have the opportunity to learn culturally diverse dances.
I have been involved with Israeli dances over many years, but I wanted to include other forms of dance. I invited Noni to assist as we have worked together, over many years, including ‘wheelchair dancing’. Noni is an occupational therapist,
I also invited Marie, as we had worked together, including international dancing. Marie had experience in international dance. Over the years, We gained further knowledge in respect to a wide variety of music and accompanying dances.
Which countries do you favour in terms of selecting suitable dances for this particular class?
Marie: Well, for example during the first 4 weeks of this term we have already selected dances from 11 different countries. Last year we had dances from about 18 different countries.
Noni: Although we have a large number of Israeli dances, due to Sheffi’s and my own background, with Marie’s input we are able to include a wide variety of international dances, including Caribbean.
Where does the current form of Israeli folk dancing originate from?
Sheffi: Well, It probably dates back to the last century. Jews lived in Poland and Russia and many Israeli dances originated from these cultures. The traditional Israeli dance, the Hora, originates from Romania. It is performed in a circle, as in a Greek dance.
Marie: There is actually a dance vocabulary in all forms of dance, including ballet and folk dances. It is endemic, globally. You can describe a dance, basically with this dance vocabulary.
In this class Multicultural Dance – Hoppa Hey, we have various levels of dance. Easy dances, intermediate and also more challenging dances.
In respect to the various abilities and capabilities of class members, how do you take care of any necessary precautions and other issues?
Noni: We advise in advance, information about suitable clothing and footwear. During the class we remind class members about the necessity to stay hydrated. We make sure that we aerate the room, monitor the temperature and provide breaks.
Everyone is required to wear their name tag which has an emergency contact. However, thank goodness we have never had a major incident, only 2 more minor ones since the commencement of this class.
Sheffi: The class is not suitable for everyone. Some will come and try it out and may decide that it is not suitable for them. We start the class off slowly and gradually build up to more advanced dances.
Marie: We need to be advised for instance, if a member is awaiting a knee replacement, or may have other specific medical issues. We advise them to obtain their doctor’s approval.
Sheffi: The main thing that we find might be difficult for some, is “the turning”. So, we will tell them what to do instead of turning.
Noni: Yes, instead of turning in 4 steps, they will proceed along the dance line in 4 steps.
What is it about dancing, moving to music that brings out a sense of joy?
Marie: Well, that is exactly what it is. We impart simply the joy of dance.
Noni: And that is what we want to impart, that joy of dance. If we, their tutors, convey that specific sense of joy and enthusiasm, together with the music, in the way we teach the steps, the class will enjoy it. You can see the smiles on their faces.
Is there something in the physiology of the body that when it moves to music it promotes a sense of happiness?
Noni: Yes, endorphins are released during dancing. We don’t need to smoke, drink or take drugs! (The tutors all laugh).
Marie: Well, we are human beings, but we originated from apes. Chimpanzees and gorillas actually dance and sing, in their own way. So, along the ages, humans have refined the form of dance,
Noni: It is just contagious. People just love it. During ‘Covid’, we were not able to hold hands. In dancing, holding hands and touching is a very important and valuable aspect.
But also, eye contact, the feeling of moving together, gives such a “buzz!”
Sheffi: Dancing has always been an expression of celebration, sadness or happiness.
Many dances have been created as a form of expression, and what we are trying to create here is a celebration, basically.
Do you have a favourite dance?
Noni: We all have our favourites. But more importantly, we can pick up when various members of the class may love a certain dance.
We know that they will come out to the front of the class and really show their command of the movements and their enjoyment.
There are some people who may say “I never dance. I don’t like dancing, or I am too scared.” So, what attracts others to join a dance class?
Sheffi: I think it is their realisation that they can enjoy moving to music. And in this class, they will be helped with that process.
Noni: It is a whole-body experience. The listening, the seeing, the touch and feeling.
Learning the steps enhances memory, can we talk a little about that?
Marie: Yes, learning dance steps is very good for minimising Alzheimer’s or dementia.
You are doing something physical, but you are also using your brain, both hemispheres as you need to remember the steps.
Sheffi and Noni and I are always dancing together with the class, but once they are familiar with the dance, they look at us less and less. Then they may even assist someone else.
Noni: Every year we have an Open Day. Members can bring along their family or friends, who may themselves later join the group.
Marie: Each week we devise a lesson plan. We take it in turns to lead the class. Also, each week one of us more specifically takes over the exercise section. We all share the preparation and class tasks.
The first hour is generally geared to an easier level. We build up the level of fitness and in the second hour we introduce more complex movements.
Sheffi: We build up the level of fitness in the class. Over time they need less and less breaks and memorising the steps improves.
Noni: Yes, it is wonderful to see how the mood of some students lifts, and they will share with us how coming to this class has changed their lives for the better.
Marie: Yes, many will tell us that it is the highlight of their week.
Sheffi: They may take that exalted feeling through the rest of their week, or their life. They may walk more confidently, “walk tall”. It improves their balance and impacts on their life, just from being in this class.
Noni: I have previously only taught dancing in my dance classes, but Sheffi has introduced an exercise class. Sheffi has about 20 basketballs which he uses in various activities. This is different from dancing, but it builds up endurance, coordination, and gets the blood flowing.
Marie: We try to introduce new aspects of exercise which are relevant to dancing, as an addition, to complement the dancing,
Where do you obtain your music for the class, considering the variety of dances?
Sheffi: We have various resources, including Spotify. We have collected a large bank of music over many years.
Marie: There is an active community of folk dance teachers Australia wide. From Israel, Romania, Holland. If you attend their workshops, they may pass on or sell their resources. YouTube is also very convenient.
Noni: We have good equipment, there is a good speaker. The hall is a very pleasant venue to hold our class. There is a kitchen, we are very happy to have our class at the South Melbourne Community Centre.
Sheffi: Another important part of the class, (he laughs) “the extension of the class is my birthday, every week!”
Class members bring “goodies”, muffins, cakes, various titbits, and we join together after the class for about an hour.
Marie: Many new friendships have been made. Some class members may arrange to go to a movie or elsewhere together. We ask if they were friends prior to joining the class. They may respond “no, we just met here.”
We sit, talking, sharing our various experiences during the week. Perhaps a film we may have watched, books, travel, health issues relevant for those in our age group.
Marie: We call it “chat and chew!”
In summary, what aspects, motivation, outcomes, do you want to impart to the class.
Marie: Some members have never danced, although they may have wanted to. Then suddenly as a senior citizen they may decide to try it out. So, they come along. It is totally new for them, but they persevere and over the years you can see the improvement and their enjoyment of having learnt a new skill.
Sheffi: In summary, for me personally, it is like “closing a loop” in a way.
I commenced teaching in Australia in 1976, my school was called the Sheffi School of Multicultural Dance. I was doing a lot of multicultural dances as I did not have access to Israeli music, simply what I had brought with me to Australia.
I have had access to international content here in Australia, also through attending various workshops over the years.
By bringing Marie and Noni into this class, it “closes the circle“ for me. This is a multicultural dance class, which includes Israeli dances.
Noni: We accommodate the needs of our class members and choreograph dances to whatever music is suitable, regardless of its origin.
We have the skills to be able to do that. To adapt, in respect to the various levels of skills in the class.
So, no retiring for anyone?
Noni: No, We love to impart this joy of dancing.
Sheffi and Marie nod in agreement.
Photo by Naomi Gordon
A conversation with class members over lunch in the kitchen area:
Lunch is provided by various members of the class. The variety of home-made salads, pastries, cakes and other healthy titbits was very impressive.
How many of you have recently joined this group or perhaps have been attending over some years?
Two of us are new, joining up this term.
I have been coming for about 6 or 7 years.
Whilst you may all have different responses, what do you like about this particular dance class?
2 hours of exercising whilst wearing a smile! I think that is fantastic.
Yes, the class accomplishes a number of things. Memory training, just paying attention, listening, is good for your brain.
Yes, also self-discipline. Forcing you to exercise in a repetitive manner that also makes you smile.
It is physical and also emotional, it releases endorphins.
Yes, it is really good for your state of mind.
What are the physical benefits?
Well, you are using your whole body, and the music sweeps you along. It’s the music. The music really makes you want to get up and dance.
It is also the flexibility. I mean it is the exercise, it’s keeping your joints moving. Even when your knees might be playing up, you still manage to do it!
You don’t seem to feel pain because the music carries you along.
We usually have about 10 minutes of stretching exercises.
Are the dances difficult to learn?
Well, the music helps you to remember the steps.
As soon as the music commences, you feel a different person.
So, do you improve over time?
Yes, dances that I once found difficult to recall the steps, I can now do easily.
This class is something I look forward to. I feel the benefits throughout the week.
Also, there are long term benefits. I now feel I am walking taller because I come dancing regularly.
The atmosphere is very welcoming, we make friends and sit around after the class, as we are doing now.
Well, thank you. It is a very impressive, very joyous group. It was wonderful just sitting, listening to the music and observing a number of more complex dances. Also, the experience and encouragement emanating from Noni, Sheffi and Marie. Once the music started, as I watched the dancers, I too smiled!
Felicity May interviewed the dance tutors and class members.