Beverly Jones Hackney

I danced with Mrs. Hackney (I'll never be able to call her by her first name) from the time I was allowed to take lessons at 8, until I graduated from high school and went to the University of Utah to study dance. Mrs. Hackney didn't just teach us dance. She taught us respect for ourselves and others, diligence, discipline, critical thinking, empathy and artistry. She took another dance student and me to see A Chorus Line in Salt Lake City, when we would otherwise have not been able to see...

One of the most cherished memories I have is dancing for Mrs. Hackney. I can't remember how many years I danced at her school, only that the year she decided I was ready to go on toe at 12 years old my father was killed in a car accident and my mother told me I could no longer dance as she couldn't afford it. Beverly was one of the biggest influence's of my life. I am now 68 years old and the memories of her tapping her stick in time with the music and touching my back if I wasn't straight...