Student of the Month Spotlight...

 

 

This month we are so happy to introduce you to Jerry & Renee Hoffman from the Lancaster studio.

 

 

1) When did you begin dancing? When did you begin dancing at Top Hat?

We have been married for 25 years. Somewhere around year twelve, Jerry started saying, "We should take dance lessons." This, however, was not in the budget or the time. It wasn't until year 24, the summer of 2013, that we took our first class at Top Hat.

 

2) What brought you to Top Hat, what prompted you to start taking lessons, and did you first take group or private lessons?

Jerry had found a Living Social coupon and presented it as a Christmas present. When the expiration date was nearing, we finally scheduled our very first EVER dance lesson. Jerry chose the hustle, as Top Hat was starting a new beginner session, with Daniel as our instructor.

 

3) What are your favorite aspects of Top Hat? What keeps you "coming back for more"?

 

Daniel's expertise & teaching style, as well as and the building relationships witnessed at Top Hat were what kept us coming back. We admired how Top Hat became a community - going on vacations together, celebrating birthdays, summer swim parties, Friday Night Dance Parties, and most especially, Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone has always been very inviting. And, we found that week after week, not only did we come away with a new move, or a more refined move, but we also laughed - a lot!

 

4) What do you do when you are not on the dance floor? (job, hobbies, etc)

 

While dancing has become one of our new loves, our old ones remain strong. First, we are blessed with two wonderful children, in whom we are abundantly proud. Our daughter earned her master's in social work and is working for the Lebanon VA. She is engaged and hopes that the date will soon be set. Our son just graduated magna cum laude from Edinboro University, with a bachelor's in broadcast journalism. He has already been offered and accepted a full time position as an on-air talent for a country music station. Sadly, he will need to move 3 hours away from home.

We also have a wonderfully loyal and lively four-year old labradoodle, Barnabas. He is my best buddy. We enjoy long walks and hikes daily.

Some of our very best friends are from Grace Church in Lititz, where we live. Jerry leads our weekly adult Bible study, with an amazing and hilarious group of friends, and I lead our lively, applicable children's program every-other month. We strive to place Christ at the head of all of our decisions and to love as He does.

Jerry is Vice President of Sweetwater Propane, and I am a 2nd grade teacher for Burrowes Elementary, SDoL. On occasion you may see Jerry driving his favorite car, the Mustang. Or you may see us riding our motorcycle. These have been our fun stress releasers, but dancing is becoming a new stress-releaser, too.

 

5) What are your favorite dance styles and why?

While we enjoy the hustle, and plan to stick with it a while longer, East Coast Swing looks like a lot of fun. Maybe it will be our next adventure.