When the music starts, the ladies at the Beltrone Living Center get moving, and they're learning from the best. Janet Murphy hasn't stopped dancing since she took her final bow at Rockefeller Center in the 1980s.
“Dance is just a wonderful freeing experience. As we get to a more mature age, people really don’t realize how wonderful and exciting it is to still dance," said Murphy.
Murphy started dancing when she was three years old, and at 20, her dream to become a Rockette came true. She said she’ll never forget when she made her first debut.
“Women go their whole lives trying to entertain and audition for the Rockettes. I see this thing going down the aisle, and it’s actually all the people crying at my first performance," said Murphy.
Now, one tap at a time, she is sharing her love for dance with all generations. Murphy has taught jazz and tap classes at the Beltrone Living Center since 2002.
The Timeless Tappers have performed at hospitals, nursing homes, and even out of state at the North East Tap Show in New Jersey.
Ann Walsh has been dancing since she was a toddler and doesn’t plan to stop any time soon.
“I love to dance anywhere, and I have. And being able to go out into nursing homes and entertain, that’s a big part of it," said Walsh.
After they land their choreography, it’s all about the costumes, some of which they make themselves.
“The residents in the nursing homes love all the sparkles. Old age is not the enemy, stagnation is the enemy, and that’s what the Timeless Tappers does. It keeps us going, as long as we want to, as long as we can stand up," said Lorraine Benton, one of the center's residents.