I dedicated my latest book, The Dancing Master, to my own dance teacher:
In honor of Aurora Villacorta
ballroom dance instructor at the University of Illinois for more than twenty years.
Thanks, Miss V. Your lessons are forever with me.
Dance steps, yes, but so much more—etiquette, manners, respect, and grace.
Your classes were the most enjoyable of my college years.
I will never forget you.
I also named the hero’s sister after her (Aurora). These were simple things, and cost me very little. But I am reaping wonderful rewards…
During my college 
days, I took every ballroom dance class I could sign up for with this legendary 4 foot something Filipina who sternly taught etiquette and manners along with the waltz and tango. She was strict and she carried a stick, which she used to tap out the tempo and occasionally to prod a misbehaving pupil. Even so, we loved her and would have danced around the moon for her in hopes of winning one of her rare, magnificent smiles. After college, I even went on to teach a few dance classes of my own through community education. And I enjoyed drawing on all of these experiences to write The Dancing Master. Clearly, Miss V had a significant impact on my life. So, dedicating the book to her seemed right.
I had not seen nor spoken to Miss V in more than 25 years. But when the book came out, I looked up her address online (relieved to find no obituary notice) and sent her a letter and a book. What a joy to receive a letter back from her. And another one since! She is in her 80s now and still teaches ballroom dance—bum knee and all—at the YMCA on campus. At first, she confessed, she had no idea why someone named Julie Klassen was sending her a book. Then she read my letter, in which I had given her my maiden name, and it rang a bell. She opened the book and was surprised and delighted to find the dedication. (Turns out she enjoys Jane Austen, too. Who would have guessed?) In her letter, she shared some of her past travels and the fact that now that her knee keeps her closer to home, she enjoys corresponding with people she has met in various countries and especially with former students. She plans to send copies of the book to many of these friends.
Miss V even called me on the phone—and her voice sounded just the same and brought back so many memories. She said she loved the book and that I’d captured so well what it is like to be a dancing teacher. I told her she could no doubt recognize herself as she read some of the dance class passages, and she chuckled and agreed. She invited me to return to my alma mater someday soon to visit her. Perhaps attend a dance. She even offered to teach my sons “at least the waltz.” I would love that. My teenaged sons? I’m guessing not so much. Still, it would be wonderful to see her again. How satisfying to know this beloved teacher was deeply touched by my small gesture. She thanked me warmly for “honoring me in this way.” But the honor is mine.
What a gift this writing career has been. Allowing me to reconnect with people I have lost track of over the years–old friends and former teachers–as well as to connect with new reader-friends and fellow-authors like you. I am blessed, and you are all a part of that blessing! I appreciate each and every one of you.
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Hi Julie!
I love that you were able to reconnect with your dance instructor! And I can just imagine your sons’ expressions if you tried to get them to learn the waltz! 🙂
Thank you for sharing with us and for brightening my morning!
Blessings,
~Sarah
You are very welcome, Sarah. Thanks for stopping by today!
I remember my college dance class. It was square dancing. Although there were no boys/men (?), we had enough girls/women (?) to fill one square, maybe 2. It was comical trying to remember which of us was the “man” and which of us the “woman”, but I had a great time.
Your post reminds me that most of the”big” things are easily forgotten, but the “little” things mean a whole lot more and enrich so much more. Thank you, Julie.
(P.S.: If you do get your sons to learn the waltz, pictures would be nice.)
Fun story, Dora! (When dancing with a group with too few guys, I usually end up being a “man” since I’m quite tall. :)) Glad you enjoyed the post.
I really enjoyed “The Dancing Master,” Julie. How fun to re-connect with a teacher who had an impact on your life. Maybe I’ll look up the college history professor who encouraged me to write. He probably doesn’t even remember me or realize the influence he had!
Oh you should, Lynn! He’ll appreciate it so much. Glad to know you enjoyed the book.
Loved hearing about one of the inspirations behind your book, Julie! How awesome that you could reconnect with your dancing instructor after so many years! I’m sure it was such a blessing to her to find out that she’d had such an impact on one of her students. It reminds us to keep on doing what God calls us to do, because we never know whose lives we’re touching!
Hi Jody! Excellent point. And some of those ways we’ve touched people we may not learn about ’til heaven!
What a beautiful story, Julie. There is nothing as romantic as a waltz in the arms of the man you love. Or so Cinderella taught me. My man is not so keen on the whole dancing thing. Maybe when we are too old to care what we look like anymore, I’ll drag him to a ballroom dancing class and test my romance theory. 🙂
Oh, yes, Karen. I believe your theory is true–especially with the waltz. My Mennonite husband doesn’t exactly seek out opportunities to dance, but he can dance a very respectable waltz. Just don’t ask him to polka… 🙂
Oh, Julie! I could have taken ballroom dancing in college and instead, I opted for bowling. My loss! I did, however, reconnect with a high school English teacher who taught me everything I know about grammar (I did NOT appreciate her at the time) and shortly before her death, I had a chance to tell her how much I valued her and everything she taught me.
Bowling?! Oh yes, you did miss out, Deb! ;^) But so glad you didn’t miss your opportunity to let your English teacher know how much you valued her. Well done!
Oh Julie…..such a sweet, touching post! What an impact Miss V had on your life, and how special that you’ve been able to do something for her in return. Thank you for sharing this with us today—I could tell both times I “met” you at ACFW (08 and 11?) what a precious person you are. And that just makes your books even more enjoyable in my eyes. 🙂
Awww…. Thanks, Patti Jo! I am far from perfect, but so glad I followed God’s nudge to connect with and appreciate Miss V in this way. Hey, maybe I’ll see you at this year’s ACFW?
Julie, thank you for sharing this blessing with us. How incredible that y’all reconnected over a book you dedicated to her! God surely works in mysterious ways. Enjoy every letter, phone call, and visit with Miss V. Each one is a precious gift, as they all were in your college days as well.
Blessings,
Andrea
Proofreader/Writer
writingtoinspire.blogspot.com
Hi Andrea. You’re right. I need to relish every moment of this renewed relationship even though life is so busy at times. Thanks for being here, Andrea!
What a sweet encounter and return blessing for both of you! I had to laugh, at the memory, while reading Karen’s comment. My husband danced with me at my class reunion a few years ago ~ while saying, “Why not? I’ll probably never see these people again.” Not only did he dance to my favorite, “At Last ~ Etta James,” but also ♪♫Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’ down the river♫♪ ~ so fun, I immensely enjoyed it and he looked like he was having fun being anonymous. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Awesome story–and memory–Kathleen! I think we should all let loose and dance with our beloved now and again. Nice to hear from you here, Kathleen. I appreciate you!
This is so sweet and speaks well of your humble heart that you wish to give credit to those who’ve blessed and inspired you. Lovely article and how lovely that you were able to reconnect with your dance master!
Yes, I feel both humbled and blessed. Thanks, Carrie!
Oh, I love that, Julie! What a wonderful story. You’ve made me think I should share some of my dedication stories! Love hearing how you reconnected with her, too!
That would be fun, Cara. I’ll look forward to reading your dedication stories. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing that wonderful story behind the story, Julie. I’m so happy your reconnecting with your former teacher has such a marvelous… not ending obviously, but plot turn, with more story to be written. Perfect!
You are so welcome, Lori. Thanks for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed the post. Take care.
We won 15 copies of THE DANCING MASTER from BookMovement Book Club online for our Book Club here in Oceanside, CA. We are reading it in May for a June discussion. I’m excited about this as it’s a secular book club and some have already read the book and are telling me they like it! We’ll post reviews after our club discussion. I don’t suppose you’ll be in the Oceanside, CA area about June 5? What a nice surprise to have you there! Just checking.
That’s great, Sharon. Congrats on winning the books–I hope the club discussion goes well. Alas, no, I will not be in California this summer–I wish! But let me know if there are any questions you’d like me to answer in advance or maybe we can do a Skype call. Thanks for getting in touch!
That’s wonderful, Julie. And it’s a great promotion as well. 🙂 If she would ask my sons to attend, I would take them to her. I wish I would have a dancing teacher like your own Miss V.
Thanks, Anna. I hope my boys will learn to dance someday. Yours too! 🙂
Hi Julie! Thanks for sharing the update on Miss V! Tell your sons that knowing how to dance will make them very popular with the girls. That may get them interested in meeting Miss V. My mom taught us to polka, including my husband. Ha! Hope to see you soon!
Hi dear Suzy! I tried your line in the car yesterday with my boys. No noticeable reaction, but never know what may influence them in the long term. Here’s hoping! We do have a family wedding this summer and I’m hoping there’s dancing involved…