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Photograph by George Sakkestad
Sue Shannon of Saratoga (front) has been tap dancing under several different Bay Area instructors since the 1980s. That love of tapping eventually developed into the Toney Tappers as various friends joined her over the years.
Women tap into dance for fun, fitness
By Jennifer M. van der Kleut
Anyone who says tap dancing is only for the young hasn't met the Toney Tappers. This group of women has been entertaining audiences all over the South Bay for more than 15 years--and though they're all in their 60s and 70s, they sure don't move like it.
Sue Shannon of Saratoga is many things--a tap dancer, a piano teacher, a composer and a former pilot. She began taking tap lessons from Clareen Dunivin in the West Valley in the late 1980s and fell in love with her new hobby not only for the fun of it, but for the way it helped keep her in shape.
Soon after Shannon began taking lessons, her good friend Dorothy Thomas joined in. These days, Thomas' friends in the Toney Tappers are still amazed at how well she keeps up considering her large family, which includes nine children. Her husband, Eli Thomas, is the founder and namesake of Eli Thomas Menswear, which her oldest son Christopher now runs. In a show of support for Thomas' love of the Toney Tappers, the Eli Thomas stores provide the costumes for the group.
In 1995, Suzanne Christensen of Los Gatos joined Thomas and Shannon, and together the three friends performed at places such as the Saratoga Senior Center, the Alzheimer's Day Care Center and the Oddfellows home. One performance Shannon will never forget led her to the stage of the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, which includes more than 2,700 seats.
"That was mind-boggling," Shannon said, looking back. "It's such a huge stage, and there wasn't an empty seat in the house that night. They were even turning people away. It was a big to-do."
In addition to Dunivin's studio in the West Valley, the women have studied with many other local studios and instructors, among them Gayle Greenbrook in Saratoga, Julie Lowrie at West Valley College, Marilyn Newman in Campbell, Debbie Wilson of the American Musical Theater of San Jose and Barbara Toney of the Saratoga School of Dance. It was at the Saratoga school that the three women met many of the later members.
Therefore, when it came time to name their new group, they found it only fitting to honor their beloved teacher, and the Toney Tappers were born.
"Plus, it just seemed like good alliteration," Shannon says with a laugh. "We've sort of added members as we go."
These days, the group is seven members strong. In addition to Shannon, Thomas and Christensen, there is now Ann Naughton of Saratoga, Pat Schuck of San Jose, Bea Schadle of San Jose and Nancy Walb of Saratoga. Each refers to the Toney Tappers as a great source of joy.
"The main thing is friendship. We have a wonderful friendship," says Shannon. "And we have such great fun tapping together."
"They're such a great group of girls," Schuck says of her fellow tappers.
"I love dancing with this group because we're always doing a new dance, something different," says Schadle, "so we learn so much."
Walb says she takes great pride in brightening people's days through the Toney Tappers' performances, especially when they're at venues such as the Alzheimer's Day Care Center.
"Dancing is so special, even if it's only for one, but seeing the people at the care homes smile or tap a toe is just happiness for all," she says.
These days, the women are gearing up for their next performance at the Saratoga Senior Center on Oct. 25. The group will perform five different routines to toe-tapping tunes from shows such as Chicago.
"This group has performed many times for the senior center, where they practice weekly," says Genie Dee, director of the senior center. "Their generosity in giving of their time and talents in music and dance has brought joy to many of our members."
Christopher Thomas has followed in his mother's footsteps and now teaches dance at the Arthur Murray studio in Cupertino. He will serve as the show's emcee and will demonstrate ballroom dancing techniques in between the tap numbers.
Although Toney Tapper Naughton will not be able to perform due to an injury, Shannon thinks audiences will enjoy what the group has put together, and says the show offers something for everyone.
"Tap dancing is an art form, possible for all ages, from the very young to the more mature individuals, and by both men and women," she says.
The Toney Tappers will perform in the Saunders Room of the Saratoga Senior Center, 19655 Allendale Ave., at noon on Oct. 25. For more information or to make reservations, call 408.868.1257.
